Unsustainable human settlements were part of apartheid planning, the KwaZulu-Natal local government department said on Thursday at the start of a two-day housing summit in Durban.
”We can no longer romanticise about human settlements and the requirement for beneficiaries to have access to socio-economic and other amenities,” said provincial minister of local government Mike Mabuyakhulu.
”We have come here to engage all stakeholders on what must be done to mobilise all sectors and rally them around a coherent programme of action designed to deliver sustainable human settlements,” he said.
Mabuyakhulu said unsustainable human settlements had their origins in apartheid planning.
”It was part of the policy intentions of the apartheid government to deny our people access to health facilities, potential employment, education and training opportunities.”
He said this was the time to reverse the wrongdoings.
”While we believe that we should move with the necessary speed to reverse this legacy of skewed apartheid planning, we are, however, under no illusion about the enormity of work that needs to be done.”
A clarion call had been made for all housing stakeholders, including academics, environment specialists, suppliers, municipalities, developers, government officials and financial institutions, to come together and help speed up the process of sustainable human settlements.
”Hence, our theme for this year’s summit: Housing is a collective responsibility.”
During the two-day summit, housing delegates would be reviewing the housing-delivery programme, backlogs and skill factors in an attempt to re-align their strategy and improve delivery.
”Our department is confident that with the practical experience gained over the past nine years through housing delivery we are wiser and more awake to the challenges that face us,” Mabuyakhulu said.
Issues relating to home ownership, rent-to-own and rental accommodation are also expected to be discussed at the summit. — Sapa