Note to Editors: The following remarks were delivered by RISE Mzansi National Assembly Caucus Whip, Makashule Gana MP, during the debate on Budget Vote 33 (Human Settlements).
Presiding Officer
Committee Chair
Minister and Deputy Minister
The department of Human Settlements has over last 30-years primarily focused on building what we have come to call ‘RDP houses’ and upgrading informal settlements. This mandate has extended to social, rental and finance-linked subsidy programmes for individuals that do not qualify a fully subsidised house. The bulk of the budget goes to the provision of fully subsidised houses and informal settlement upgrades.
There are notable successes in building houses, but that is all that the department has been concerned with. The department does not measure itself in terms of communities built.
I want to submit today, Minister, that this department needs to move beyond just building houses and providing serviced stands to building communities.
The new developments must include schools, recreation space, business space and places of worship and burials. In every development, when people are settled, the first things to pop up are spaza shops, makeshift places of worship and taverns. We need to build this into our thinking.
The provision of a house on its own is not enough, we must build communities.
When new developments are built or informal settlements upgraded, let’s think of how we live where we live, everyone wants to enjoy the same rights. The right to live in a community that has access to other facilities and that are close to economic opportunities, other than a house.
On the issue of RDP houses, some of the communities and people I have spoken to accept that the government will not be able to build everyone a house, but what they want is a piece of land to build themselves houses of their liking. Even in areas we are providing serviced stands, let’s do proper planning to ensure that there are education, business, and recreational facilities.
The last point, Minister, we must accept that we have an urban land for residential purposes challenge thus we need to rethink the type of settlements we are developing.
In some instances, we have to go beyond the 3 stories in order to accommodate the demand. This department must be at the forefront of the revitalisation of inner cities. The highjacked buildings in many towns and cities needs be repurposed for decent human settlements.
All the people of South Africa need to live in communities where they able to live, work, play and pray.
Ndza khensa!