The Minister for Human Settlements Nomaindiya Mfeketo has today, as the Executive Authority approved the appointment of an Administrator for the Housing Development Agency (HDA). The Administrator Ms Nosipho Siwisa Damasane has a Bachelor of Accounting Degree, with numerous qualifications in Port Management and logistics from institutions in Belgium, University of Singapore, including a Senior Executive Programme (SEP 76) from the London Business School.

As the former CEO for the Richards Bay Coal Terminal, and the COO of the Transnet Port Terminals, she worked as General Manager: New Business Development and GM; Supply Chain Management at the same organisation. She has 22 years of executive experience in senior management and operations experience in the port terminals, logistics, supply chain (port and rail integration), with a strong background in Accounting and Auditing having completed her articles in 1997.

With her demonstrable experience in New Business Development, Relationship and Stakeholder Management, Business Strategy, Project Management, Financial and People Management - Ms Nosipho Siwisa Damasane will assist significantly in strengthening the governance and operations of the HDA.

She is currently the Chairperson - Richards Bay Coal Terminal, and Non- Executive Director - UKZN Training. She also served as Chairman - ITEC Eastern Cape
Non-Executive Director - IVS Shipping (Pty) LTD Chairman - Magwa Tea Estates
Chairman - Amatola Trust
Non-Executive Director - CCS Shipping (Pty) LTD Trustee - TransMed Medical Aid and Non-Executive Director – WBHO.

These steps have been taken to ensure that the HDA’s governance and financial management, administration and operations continues unabated until the Board of the HDA has been appointed by the Minister in terms of the HDA Act. More importantly the Minister wants to strengthen the services provided by the HDA to address the critical needs of our communities.

The HDA was established in terms of the HDA Act 28 of 2008 with the specific objective to act as a state organ to facilitate and implement housing and human settlements programmes and projects. The objects of the Agency are to—

  (a) identify, acquire, hold, develop and release state, communal and privately owned land for residential and community purposes and for the creation 
      of sustainable human settlements;
  (b) project manage housing development services for the purposes of the creation
       of sustainable human settlements;
  (c) ensure and monitor that there is centrally coordinated planning and budgeting of all infrastructure required for housing development; and
  (d) monitor the provision of all infrastructure required for housing development.

To support the Administrator, the Minister has committed to provide technical support, as required, from the National Department of Human Settlements. There are critical tasks that the HDA has to assist the department in the achievement of targets and outputs in the Catalytic Projects Programme, the National Upgrading Support Programme, Public Sector Land and Property Development Programme and the Human Settlements Programme Interventions in Distressed Mining Towns.

The Administrator will also be required to address the legality and justifications of the suspension the Chief Executive Officer and three members of the Executive Committee. In addition, the Minister is committed to continue with investigating based on the allegations given to the former Chair of the HDA Board. This will include a forensic investigation if required.

“The HDA is a very important institution to support the programmes of the Department of Human Settlements and the need to ensure that the HDA’s work continues unabated and its capacity is strengthened to address the challenges in the sector” said Minister Mfeketo.

ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS

For more information please call Xolani Xundu on 083 788 5747