Human Settlements

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has praised her department’s team for their efforts in bringing to life one of the Freedom Charter’s key promises: ensuring houses, security, and comfort for all South Africans. Reflecting on her first three months in office, the Minister shared a detailed account of the progress made and the hurdles still facing the housing sector. With millions of people still in need of proper homes, her update sheds light on the department’s work to tackle South Africa’s housing crisis while setting the stage for future action.

A Commitment to the Freedom Charter’s Vision

The Freedom Charter, signed in 1955, dreamed of a South Africa where everyone has a decent place to live. Minister Simelane’s reflections show her department’s determination to make this dream real, even with tough challenges ahead. “Our work is rooted in the principles of the Freedom Charter, and we are committed to ensuring that every South African has access to dignified housing,” she said in a statement on Monday.

Since 1994, South Africa has built over 4.7 million subsidised homes, a big step forward from the days of apartheid. But the need for housing keeps growing. Today, about 2.3 million homes are still needed, and informal settlements are popping up faster as people move to cities looking for jobs. Simelane’s early months in office have been about speeding up housing delivery and fixing deep-rooted problems in the sector.

Progress and Achievements in the First Three Months

Minister Simelane pointed to several wins since she took office. One big achievement was the department’s quick response to emergencies like floods and fires in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. These disasters left many families without homes, but the department stepped in to provide temporary shelters and start rebuilding. “Our teams were on the ground immediately, ensuring that affected families had a roof over their heads,” Simelane said.

She also spent time visiting housing projects across the country, meeting people and checking on progress firsthand. These visits showed her commitment to keeping things open and honest. Another key moment was a meeting with provincial leaders (MECs) to talk about the five-year Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP). This plan sets out housing goals for 2024-2029, focusing on building better, connected communities. Together, they reviewed this year’s priorities and suggested policy tweaks to make things run smoother.

The department also teamed up with the Department of Social Development to create the Special Housing Needs Programme Grant. This fund helps the Special Housing Needs Programme (SHNP), which builds homes for people who can’t live on their own—like those with disabilities, victims of domestic violence, and older citizens. “This programme ensures that our most vulnerable citizens are not left behind,” Simelane explained. “It’s about creating safe, supportive environments where they can thrive.”

To keep things steady, the department appointed new board members to five of its six entities. These leaders will help guide the department and fix past issues like mismanagement. On the policy side, December 2024 brought a big win: the approval of the White Paper on Human Settlements. This new plan sets rules for building sustainable communities that include housing for the poor, vulnerable groups, and the “missing middle”—people who earn too much for free homes but not enough to buy their own. “The White Paper is a blueprint for the future of housing in South Africa,” Simelane said.

Addressing the Sector’s Challenges

Despite the progress, Simelane didn’t shy away from the tough stuff. She said these three months have shown her the real struggles in the housing sector. Budget cuts are a major headache, with funding dropping by 5% this year. That means some projects have been paused or scaled back. “Budget constraints are a reality we must navigate,” she admitted. “But we are committed to doing more with less.”

Poor contract management is another problem, with some builders abandoning projects halfway, leaving empty shells and angry communities. Simelane blamed weak oversight and promised tougher rules to keep projects on track. Fraud and corruption allegations have also hurt trust in the department. Past scandals, like misused funds, have made people doubt the system. “We cannot succeed if there is a trust deficit,” she said. “Transparency and accountability must be at the heart of everything we do.”

Social housing projects—where people rent affordable homes near jobs and services—are in trouble too. Some tenants refuse to pay rent, thinking it should be free. Simelane was firm: “Social housing is rental accommodation. Tenants are legally obliged to pay rent. Failure to do so will lead to eviction. Do the honourable thing, pay rent, and enjoy decent and affordable accommodation.”

Then there’s the issue of informal settlements, home to about 1.5 million families. These areas often lack water, toilets, or power, and they’re at risk of fires and floods. “Informal settlements are a symptom of deeper issues, like urbanisation and inequality,” Simelane said. “We need a big plan to upgrade them and stop new ones from starting.”

Partnerships as a Path Forward

Simelane knows the government can’t fix this alone. “There is no silver bullet to resolve our challenges,” she said. “Partnerships with the private sector, the public, and NGOs will bring us closer to a permanent solution.” One exciting step is the Emerging Developer Incubator and Post Investment Support Programme, launching on 28 March 2025. Run by the National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC), it will help new developers—especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds—get started and succeed. They’ll get help with funding, building, and selling homes. “Empowered contractors are a vehicle to our success,” Simelane said. “If they deliver quality projects on time and within budget, nothing will stop us.”

This programme aims to cut down on delays and cost overruns, which have cost millions of rands. By supporting new talent, the department hopes to build better homes faster.

Immediate Priorities and Ongoing Investigations

Looking ahead, Simelane listed some top goals: finishing stalled projects, clearing the housing backlog for military veterans, and making sure vulnerable people get homes first. “Our mandate is clear: we must provide shelter to those who need it most,” she said.

She also gave an update on the George building collapse in the Western Cape in 2024, which killed several people. The National Home Builders Regulatory Council (NHBRC) handed her a preliminary report, and the final one is coming soon. “We are committed to ensuring that such a tragedy never happens again,” she said. The findings will help tighten building safety rules.

Aligning with Government’s Broader Goals

Simelane tied her department’s work to the government’s big plans: growing the economy and jobs, fighting poverty, and building a strong, honest state. “Housing is not just about bricks and mortar,” she said. “It’s about creating communities, fostering opportunities, and giving every South African a home.” In the coming months, she’ll share more about how the 2024-2025 MTDP will make this happen, with ideas like new building methods and mixed-income housing.

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