The Northern Cape MEC of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Mr Bentley Vass has emphasised the significance of strengthening rental housing governance.

Delivering a keynote address at a two-day quarterly review session hosted by the National Department of Human Settlements (NDHS), MEC Vass underscored that Northern Cape is set to be South Africa’s new growth front.

“The Northern Cape is set to be South Africa’s new growth front. The rental housing landscape in the Northern Cape is currently being reshaped by a unique Mining and Energy renaissance. We are proud to host this exchange of intellectual capital. Let us work together to ensure that every South African who calls a rented space ‘home’ can do so with full protection of the law,” said MEC Bentley Vass.

He added that nationally, rental demand continues to rise, particularly in urban corridors. Hence, the Northern Cape ranks among the most affordable rental markets with shifts driven by large-scale mining and energy investments, underscoring the importance of responsive and coordinated rental governance in the province and across the country.

The two-day review session was held in Kimberly with attendees from all provinces, regulatory bodies, sector partners, and student leadership structures. These included the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA), NSFAS Task Team, South African Union of Students (SAUS), and South African Technical and Vocation Education and Training Student Association (SATVETSA).

Central to the session was to strengthen alignment on legislative compliance, dispute-resolution efficiency, and improved services for tenants and landlords nationwide. A particular emphasis has been placed on improving conditions especially on student accommodation standards and the management of accredited housing providers. 

The national engagement seeks to strengthen intergovernmental cooperation, elevate rental housing policy implementation, and unsure a transparent, safe, and equitable rental environment across all the provinces.

The Rental Housing Tribunal (RHT) is a statutory body that plays a critical role in promoting fair rental housing practices and resolving disputes between landlords and tenants. The statutory body remains a significant cornerstone in ensuring that every person living in rental accommodation in South Africa enjoys the full protection of the law. 

Enquiries: Tebogo Monyo, Spokesperson to MEC Vass on 060 376 7515 media@nccoghsta.gov.za
Tsekiso Machike, Spokesperson to the Minister on 077 410 5050 Tsekiso.machike@dhs.gov.za
Issued by the National Department of Human Settlements, Govan Mbeki House 240, Justice Mahomed Street, Sun