Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has assured the world it is possible for South Africa to eliminate informal settlements and provide an opportunity for every citizen to live in a decent house or have proper accommodation.

Minister Sisulu was speaking at the opening of the UN Habitat III conference in Pretoria which, will for two days, discuss how countries would tackle the problems of informal settlements and eradication of slums especially in urbanised areas.

Minister Sisulu told the conference that the South African Government was on course in dealing with the problem citing that since 1994, Government has provided at least 4.3-million housing opportunities which has benefited more than 20-million people.

She called on Government, the Private Sector especially financial institutions and communities to work together to devise better methods of dealing with the problems associated with urbanization such as homelessness and deepening of poverty. She said this was due to the migration of poor people who move into the cities looking for a better life and better opportunities for themselves and their families such as jobs and access to schools.

Minister Sisulu told the conference which is attended by at least 700 delegates from various countries around the globe that she was optimistic South Africa would conquer the problem. She said her confidence was bolstered during a visit to Algeria recently where she learnt from the Algerian Government that it had succeeded in eliminating informal settlements. The Algerians expected to get rid of the last shacks atleast by August this year, she said.

This was the first United Nations meeting dealing with slums and informal settlements since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with stand alone goal to make cities and human settlements, safe, resilient and sustainable.

“We as the South African Government remained very committed to the development of sustainable human settlements. We have emphasized informal settlements upgrading, and whatever possible in-situ as way to ensure to improve people lives where they live.

“We have created a national upgrading support programme to assist provincial and local governments where they may lack the capacity to implement the programme.”
South Africa is hosting the International UN Habitat III Conference which was opened today by Gauteng Premier David Makhura under the theme: “Leading Change in the City”. About 35 countries are attending the conference and there are 14 Ministers representing various governments.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, UN Habitat III Secretary –General Dr Jon Clos urged the governments to prioritise planning of human settlements because that brought value to lives of people and it improved peoples incomes. Clos added he was however happier that more people had been taken out of informal settlements in the last 15 years.
 

Issued by the Department of Human Settlements. For more information, please call Ndivhuwo Mabaya on 083 645 7838

The Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu, has noted with concern misleading media reports which suggest government was no longer going to provide Breaking New Ground (BNG) also known as RDP houses to needy South Africans.

These media reports distort Minister’s remarks at the press conference during the Habitat III Thematic Meeting on Informal Settlements which took in Tshwane last week.
“The Department of Human Settlements will continue creating housinFg opportunities for all needy South Africans as part of living up to our ethos of respecting human rights and our people’s dignity”, said Sisulu.

“Everyone has a right to have access to adequate housing as stated in our Constitution which adds that “the State must take reasonable legislative and other measures within its available resources to achieve the progressive realisation of this right”, added Minister Sisulu.

Countries all around the world face serious economic constraints and there are competing demands such as providing health, education, transport, safety and security services. South Africa is not immune to the latter.
“Our government will continue to prioritize delivery of houses for the needy such as child headed households, elderly and disabled people and we will never deviate from this”, concluded Sisulu.

Enquiries:
Ndivhuwo Mabaya
Cell: 083 645 7838
Date: 10 April 2016

The Minister of Human Settlements, LN Sisulu, will next week, Thursday, 21 April 2016, launch the national campaign to celebrate 4,3 million houses and housing opportunities delivered since the dawn of democracy benefitting more than 20 million South Africans.

The houses and housing opportunities include Breaking New Ground houses, Social and rental stock, serviced sites, serviced sites and Hostel/Community Residential Units.

Minister Sisulu will be joined by Gauteng MEC of Human Settlements Paul Mashatile, and other Provincial MECs, former Ministers and MECs of Human Settlements, and Executive Mayors.

The launch of the celebration campaign will include handover of houses at Malibongwe Drive, tour of the Comso City project and community engagement.

The event will take place as follows:

Date: Thursday, 21 April 2016
Venue: COSMO City Multipurpose Complex
Time: 11:00

RSVP by 20 April 2016 to Tebogo.Mosima@dhs.gov.za / Botshelo.Selogilwe@dhs.gov.za .

Enquiries
Ndivhuwo Mabaya, Head of Communications
Mobile: 083 645 7838

Issued by the Ministry of Human Settlements
Date:18 April 2016

Minister of Human Settlements Lindiwe Sisulu, MP has called on South Africans to join government and lead in celebrating the delivery of 4.3 million houses and opportunities provided since the 1994 benefitting more than 20 Million people.

“This achievement makes South Africa number 1 in the world when it comes to the provision of decent accommodation with tenure options to the poor closer to amenities and places of economic activity. Indeed we are the first country to provide on such scale”, said Minister Sisulu.

“Over R500 billion has been spent since 1994 to ensure that more than 20 million of our people are housed in decent shelter thereby restoring their dignity, this include all subsidies, bulk services and community infrastructure, as a nation we have done very well” added Minister Sisulu.

Minister Sisulu said the 4.3 million houses and opportunities encompasses 68,640 Hostel / Community Residential Units, 121,784 Social/ Rental/ Institutional units, 6,329 Finance Linked (FLISP) , 2,806,235 RDP / BNG Houses, 986,608 Serviced Sites and EEDBS (houses given to tenants who qualify for BNG house-360 000 EEDBS).

“We are approaching 4.5 Million by the end of this year, by 2019 we would have delivered more than 5 Million housing opportunities with over 25 Million beneficiaries, all this is made possible by hard working South Africans who pay their tax on time, employers who assist their employees, community organisations, banks, developers and many other stakeholders, it is time we say thank you” She said.

Minister Sisulu was speaking today at the national launch of the 4.3 million houses and opportunities celebrations held at Cosmo City, North of Johannesburg. The Minister also joined the community of Cosmo City in celebrating over 10 years since the estate was launched. “Cosmo City was launched in 2005 to pilot our new way of doing things, of integration, of ensuring that the poor stay close to the rich, it stand proudly with other Estate or integrated human settlements projects like N2 Gateway in Cape Town and many others, today in Cosmo City we have over 150 000 people surrounded by schools, mall, industrial areas and amenities” She said.

The Minister added that the celebration must galvanize all South Africans to partner with Government to ensure that those who are still to benefit are assisted as soon as possible “We will announce in our budget vote speech new measures and programmes to fast track delivery, we will also announce new partnerships with the private sector that will ensure that we address the needs of all South Africans from those who seek affordable bonded houses, rental accommodation and serviced sites, we are on target to achieve the 1.5 Million housing opportunities by 2019” She said.

“The Minister was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Human Settlements Zou Kota- Fredericks, Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements Paul Mashatile and the Director General of Human Settlements Department Mbulelo Tshangana.

For more information: Contact Mr. Ndhivuwo Mabaya 083 645 7838

Durban-Students and management of the Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) must be congratulated for the great academic achievements and infrastructure development. Those were the words of the Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu, MP who is also the Chancellor of MUT at the 2016 graduation ceremony.

"I am proud of the team work between management, academics and students, all of them are committed to ensuring that students achieve the best" she said.

She added that the completed phase one of the student residence is of top class and designed to ensure that students reside in a well secure and comfortable environment.

"This residence symbolizes what modern student residence must be. The student residence must be secure, modern and with all amenities required by students” said Sisulu.

The Minister thank private companies that are supporting students at MUT and called on other national and international companies to visit the University and see the good work being done at the university.

"MUT is a good story, a story of students, management and academics working together to achieve the best for students and University", added Sisulu

The Minister also revealed that the Department of Human Settlements is funding 50 students in different areas that will contribute to improving capacity to fast track implementation of human settlements programme.

"Here at MUT we are grooming and developing future project managers and engineers for municipalities and provinces" concluded Sisulu.

Enquiries

Ndivhuwo Mabaya, Head of Communications

Mobile: 083 645 7838

The media briefing will take place prior to the presentation of the Budget Vote speech to Parliament. Minister Sisulu is expected to touch on progress made in the implementation of human settlements programme during 2015/16 and also outline departmental priorities for 2016/17 financial year.

Media briefing will take place as follows:

Date: Tuesday , 03 May 2016
Venue: Imbizo Media Centre, Parliament, Cape Town
Time: 12:30-13:30
Budget Vote Speech

Date: Tuesday, 03 May 2016
Venue: Old Assembly Chamber, Parliament, Cape Town
Time: 16:40

RSVP: Tuso.zibula@dhs.gov.za AND Teboho.Montse@dhs.gov.za

Enquiries:

Ndivhuwo Mabaya, Head of Communications

Mobile: 083 645 7838

Issued by the Ministry of Human Settlements

Date: 28 April 2016

The Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu, MP will on Friday, 13 May 2016, launch the Belhar Gardens Rental Estate, in Cape Town.

Belhar Gardens will yield 629 rental units upon completion, with 192 allocated to primary beneficiaries earning less than R3 500 per month, and 437 units allocated to the secondary beneficiaries earning from R7500 per month.

Minister Sisulu, accompanied by the Western Cape MEC for Human Settlements Bonginkosi Madikizela will also interact with the community members on issues of service delivery.

Details are as follows:

Date: Friday, 13 May 2016

Venue: Belhar Gardens Rental Estate, Carmen End, Belhar 8, Cape Town

Time: 9:30amFor R.S.V.P. Tebogo.Mosima@dhs.gov.za / Botshelo.Selogilwe@dhs.gov.za

Enquiries: Teboho Montse: 082 886 6721

Issued by Ministry of Human Settlements

OVER 4 000 houses will be built and 4 000 sites serviced in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality by March 2017 at a cost of R813 million, says acting Executive Director for Human Settlements Mandla George.

This also includes paying attention to the so-called “Toilet City” in Khayamnandi where 823 units will be built at a cost of R70 million.

The upscale in housing delivery follows months of stabilising governance and administrative systems within the Metro’s human settlements department consequent to a Cabinet sanctioned intervention in May last year.

“We are now ready to roll,” said George. “At the end, it is the people of the city who are in need of decent shelter, clean and habitable environment, safe and secure living conditions for their children, among others, who will benefit.”

Following months of back and forth negotiations with contractors over the new demand database, the Housing Development Agency (HDA), as the implementing agent on behalf of the three spheres of government, has so far managed to get 23 contractors on site towards meeting these targets.

All contractors who did not meet their appointment conditions were put on terms. The aim is to get them to comply with issues such as the health and safety requirements, so that they could all start building houses failing which the HDA would appoint those who are willing and able to comply with the requirements.

The areas where these houses will be built is Joe Slovo West; Chatty 1060; Soweto-on-Sea; Chatty 491; Khayamnandi; Mandelaville; Ebhongweni; KwaNobuhle area 2, 7, 8, 9 and 10; Walmer Gqeberha Phase 1; Kruisrivier Transit Area; Joe Slovo Uitenhage; Tiryaville; and Missionvale 2 400.

HDA General Manager Bosco Khoza said besides the projects that have been running since the last financial year, all new work would be allocated to small, medium, and macro enterprises.

“As the HDA, we commit to paying contractors within 14 days for certified work done so as to deal with all the challenges of non-payment and delayed payment we have had in the past,” he said.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS

For more information contact Xolani Xundu at 083 788 5747

On August 11, 1976 Apartheid Police shot and killed 17 year old Xolile Mosie during a peaceful students march organised by Langa pupils to the local Police Station demanding the release of fellow students arrested earlier that day.

40 years on, former classmates and Langa High School ex-pupils including Deputy Minister of Human Settlements; Hon. Zou Kota-Fredericks will join hands with the Cape Town Youth Brigade volunteers who have undergone training to build and renovate houses for the elderly in Langa Township, Cape Town.

The build will be preceded by an engagement with learners at Langa High School and a visit to Xolile Mosie family. The delegation will then assist in renovating and building the affected households in the area to commemorate Youth month.   

Members of the media are requested to convene next to Langa High School @ 08:00 am.

Details of the programme are as a follows:

Date: 01 June 2016

Venue: 20 Ndabeni Street, Langa, Cape Town

Time: 08:00 am – 14:00 pm

For more information Contact Isaac Skhosana on 081 495 2222 or e-mail Isaac.Skhosana@dhs.gov.za

NELSON Mandela Bay’s Department of Human Settlements has turned the corner in its efforts to upscale service delivery, says acting Executive Director Mandla George.

“We have been able to get contractors on site to build houses on scale, using all available capacity, under strict performance compliance,” said George.

Working with the Housing Development Agency (HDA), as an implementing agent of the three spheres of government following a Cabinet sanctioned intervention in the Metro, established contractors are under strict instructions to produce as many units as possible.

“We have also reinvigorated the beneficiary management system, and we have an approval rate that takes into consideration the production rate. No contractor should lie idle because of beneficiaries,” he said.

PROJECT UPDATES

Chatty 1060: Eight contractors are on site and 23 construction contracts signed. Construction has commenced with 106 foundations completed, 20 houses at wall plates and nine at roof level.

Joe Slovo West: Sixteen contractors are on site and 36 construction contracts signed. Site clearing has commenced and more contractors are expected to be on site, resulting in more units being produced.

Soweto on Sea: Thirty one units are at different stages of construction, nine foundations completed and 24 sites cleared.

Walmer Area Q: Contractor has completed all 161 units with approved beneficiaries in this project that was launched in November 2015. The focus is now on getting approvals for the 16 outstanding approvals.

Sisulu Village: Eight units have been completed, 18 are at wall plate.

Motherwell NU29 Phase 2: Progress is still very minimal. Appointment letter for an engineer has been issued for the structural assessment of the units under construction, complete and complete without Final Unit Report. This assessment will assist in the designing of the timber deck, the staircases and upper level partition. Once all this is complete, the project will then be enrolled with NHBRC to comply with the requirement to the non-compliance that was issued.

Tyriville: The contractor has moved back to site and started with completion of four units. Five more houses are underway and contractor committed to finalize the project in the middle of June 2016.

Missionvale 2400 (207): The pre-planning exercise for the installation of services for 207 units is progressing well and planning to have the contractors on site during June 2016. Contractors have been called in to establish their readiness.

Joe Slovo – Uitenhage: A challenge with underground water on three sites has been sighted as deterrence to building on the sites. Investigations have been commissioned to establish the extent of the challenge and mitigations will then be solicited from the directorate concerned.

Chatty 491: Construction has commenced on site and 20 foundations have been completed at this project meant to benefit military veterans. Even though there has been progress, work has stopped because of funding challenges.

George said the following months would see all these areas being major construction sites, where many small, medium and macro enterprises, artisans and local workers will benefit from work and job opportunities.

The material suppliers would also benefit immensely as many construction materials like bricks and cements would be bought. The Metro expected to build over 4 000 houses in these areas.

“There will be a lot a training opportunities for local contractors and otherwise, whilst the National Urban and Reconstruction Housing Agency (NURCHA) is geared to provide funding for the small business at very favourable conditions,” said George.

Small businesses should take advantage of the NURCHA funding opportunities, in order to ensure that they get the necessary cash liquadity to run their projects.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS

For more information please call Xolani Xundu at 083 788 5747