Stakeholders urged to join forces for sustainable human settlements delivery
02 May 2012
Stakeholders within the construction and development sectors have been urged to combine efforts to deliver sustainable human settlements in Mpumalanga. This call came during the recent municipal engagements between MEC for Human Settlements, Mr Siphosezwe Masango and representatives from various municipalities within the Ehlanzeni District. The interactions are a series of municipal consultation between the Department and its stakeholder ranging from planners, traditional leadership, councillors, construction personnel and academics amongst others to develop a long term human settlements delivery plan.
The interactions follow last year’s Human Settlements Indaba held in Middelburg where resolutions on comprehensive planning was emphasised. “All we need to do is to take into account the new direction government has taken in developing the various pieces of land in municipalities” urged MEC Masango. The Department has procured pieces of land for the Mbombela, Steve Tswete, Msukaligwa, Nkomazi, and Umjindi municipalities for the delivery of integrated sustainable human settlements. The Province has successfully delivered the Klarinet Integrated Human Settlements Project at eMalahleni where various socio-economic groups are residing, various housing typologies are developed and recreational and business sites have been allocated. This delivery is in line with the Department’s three year old broadened mandate.
During the Ehlanzeni interactions, most local municipalities’ wanted the Department to involve traditional leaders on the correct allocation of land, address the Msholozi land invasion, provision of bulk services to newly established areas and have extensive consultations with municipalities before embarking on a project. Department’s Acting Chief Director, Ms Gloria Mazikbuko acknowledged these concerns and indicated that “these consultations are part of a long process where everyone who matters within the human settlements space is being considered. I must say that everyone must be involved in development”.
MEC Masango cautioned against development that is
developer driven. In his view, such a move inflates prices for stands and
disadvantage many people, particularly middle income earners who do not qualify
for government low cost houses (RDP) and cannot even access funding for a bank
mortgage. The interactions with the municipalities will still be extended to the
Nkangala and Gert Sibande Districts in the next few days. Upon completion, the
Department together with the municipalities will develop a consolidated
multi-year plan for sustainable integrated human settlements as dictated by the
redefined mandate and the Planning Commission’s Report of dealing with
inequality and addressing development with its Vision 2030.
Contact person:
Freddy Ngobe
Cell: 082 859 4630
Tel: 013 766 6014
Issued by the Department of Human Settlements, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
