THURSDAY, 25 MAY 2006 __

          PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES

                                ____

The Council met at 14:08.

The Chairperson took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.

ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS – see col 000.

                          NOTICES OF MOTION

Mr S SHICEKA: Chairperson, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move:

That this House –

(1) notes the increasing lack of safety on our trains;

(2) further notes that over 17 people have been brutally murdered and scores injured by being thrown off moving trains;

(3) further notes that the government promotes the usage of public transport, in particular trains;

(4) therefore resolves that Metrorail and our law enforcement agencies should ensure -

    (a) that the killings that happen on this affordable form
        of transport be stopped immediately;


    (b) that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes be
        arrested forthwith; and


    (c) that in the medium to long term, robberies are also dealt with
        decisively in order to promote safety on our trains; and

(5) requests the Select Committees on Security and Constitutional Affairs and Public Services to monitor progress in this regard and continuously report to the Council.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE COUNCIL: Chairperson, I hereby give notice that I shall move on the next sitting day of the Council:

That the Council –

(1) notes our country’s common commitment to the inherent dignity and respect of all our people, and notes with dismay the reckless comments that were made by the hon Ms Hilda Weber, a Member of Parliament, and a representative of the Democratic Alliance, to a Mr John Mthimunye from Dennilton in Mpumalanga;

(2) takes this opportunity outright to condemn such dazed comments that deliberately entrench the stereotyping of our people based on their physical appearances; and

(3) states categorically that such blatant racial and discriminatory comments undermine the tireless efforts of our government, civil society organisations and the people of South Africa to fight against the stigmatisation of our people based on their appearances or ailments, particularly those who live with HIV/Aids; and

(4) calls upon -

    (a) the Democratic Alliance to demand that the hon Ms Hilda Weber
          issues a formal apology and is reprimanded for such reckless
          comments that have done irreparable damage to the inherent
          dignity of Mr Mthimunye; and

b) all civil society organisations and the Department of Health to formulate the necessary appropriate responses to ensure that such comments are not repeated, especially from our public representatives, and to ensure that these comments do not perpetuate the stigmatisation and discrimination of our people.

Thank you.

                         APPROPRIATION BILL


                           (Policy debate)

Vote No 28 – Housing:

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: [Interjections.] I am sorry, before I call the hon Minister, there is one Order which I skipped. There is a motion which needs to be moved, before we go to that debate, under the motions without notices. It is a motion arising from the Chief Whip.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE NCOP: Thank you, Chairperson, for your indulgence.

                             AFRICA DAY


                         (Draft Resolution)

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE COUNCIL: I move without notice:

That the Council –

 1) notes that today, May 25, is Africa Day and that it is the day when
    Africa celebrates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity
    on 25 May 1963 in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia;

(2) recalls that for almost four decades the OAU waged a struggle against colonialism and ethnic strife and promoted unity, multiculturalism and a sense of common purpose among the people of Africa;

(3) believes that the new challenges confronting us today demand of the people of Africa to unite in action to work for the further strengthening of the African Union and Nepad as we pursue the goal of creating a peaceful, democratic, prosperous, healthy and stable continent, fully living up to its promise and potential; and

(4) calls upon all humanity to unite in the struggle for the entrenchment of the culture of human rights and the eradication of poverty in Africa and the world.

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: As there is no speaker’s list, I shall now put the question, and the question is that the motion be agreed to.

As the decision is dealt with in terms of section 65 of the Constitution, I shall first ascertain whether the heads of delegations are present in the House. Can you please indicate whether you are present?

HON MEMBERS: Yes.

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: In accordance with Rule 71, I shall now allow the provinces an opportunity to make a declaration of vote, if they so wish. Is there any province that wishes to do so? None.

We shall proceed to voting on the question. I shall do this alphabetically per province. The delegation heads will then have to indicate to the Chair whether they vote in favour, against or abstain. Eastern Cape?

Ms B N DLULANE: In favour.

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Free State?

Mr C J VAN ROOYEN: In favour.

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Gauteng?

Mr E M SOGONI: Gauteng e ya e tshehetsa. [Gauteng supports.]

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: KwaZulu-Natal?

Mrs M N OLIPHANT: KwaZulu-Natal steun. [KwaZulu-Natal supports.]

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Limpopo?

Ms H F MATLANYANE: Limpopo steun. [Limpopo supports.]

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Mpumalanga?

Ms F NYANDA: In favour.

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Northern Cape?

Mr M C GOEIEMAN: Kapa Bokone e ya e dumela. [Northern Cape supports.]

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: North West?

Mr Z S KOLWENI: Ke a rona. [We support.]

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Western Cape?

Mr N J MACK: Steun. [Supports.]

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: All nine provinces have voted in favour. I therefore declare the motion agreed to in terms of section 65 of the Constitution.

Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: As the first Order has already been read, I will now allow the Minister to deliver her Budget Vote. Hon Minister, there is a podium on this side.

HON MEMBERS: Malibongwe! [Let it be praised!] [Applause.]

The MINISTER OF HOUSING: Chairperson and members of the Council, it is a privilege for us in Housing to present our budget on Africa Day. It is appropriate for us, because one of the most pressing problems facing our continent is the provision of shelter.

The rate of urbanisation experienced by the continent is the highest, far outstripping that of Asia. Therefore, in my capacity as the chair of the Conference of African Ministers on Housing and Urban Development, I take this opportunity to wish this Council well on this day, and to thank them for giving us this opportunity, once again, to raise the very urgent matter that Africa needs to contend with and to ensure that we put it very high on the agenda of our development.

Chairperson and hon members of the NCOP, this journey that has brought us here as the Department of Housing has been an exciting one over the year, but equally, it is one that continues to provide us with immeasurable challenges. But perhaps this has to be the way of life of people who have been tasked with the delivery of the rights of our people. In this age of hope, the spirit of our nation is yet coming alive, raising expectations, making the challenge even harder. We continue to rededicate ourselves because we cannot fail our people.

I want to comment at this point that I am very glad to see that amongst us today are two of my MECs for housing, who will hopefully support us cutting their budget, and sending it to provinces that are more in need of money than their provinces.

Last week, I had the honour to be present at a gathering of the Shack/Slum Dwellers International and the Federation of Urban and Rural Poor. With representatives from 22 countries, key amongst these Malawi, Ghana, India and Brazil, they had convened the conference to deliberate on ways to increase the potential of partnerships with government. Their mission is to encourage communities to save, thus enabling themselves to build their own houses. In this way, since 1995, with the SA Homeless People’s Federation, they have built 15 000 houses around the country, and secured land tenure, especially for women.

In recognising the potential that they have in helping accelerate housing delivery, I readily agreed to a partnership, and provided the Federation of Urban and Rural Poor with R185 million to build an equivalent of 5 000 houses in the provinces of Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, North West, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape and Free State. [Interjections.] I am hopeful that by the time I wind up, I will have received, from my two MECs here, a bid to outdo any of the other provinces.

We also made commitments that, where we had provided land, slum dwellers would construct the houses on their own. In turn, they made a commitment to grow their numbers to ensure that within the shortest possible time, there will be no informal settlement in the country that does not have any representation from them.

At the closing of the conference, an old friend of the poor, the Presiding Bishop, Rev Ivan Abrahams of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, also stepped forward to offer church land. For me, this was truly an important moment that I believe would enable us to deliver not only at an accelerated pace, but also to deliver with the full participation of our people in all the important processes from policy formulation, planning to actual delivery.

In recent years, the influence of this most important sector in housing has been rapidly declining. The result has been an erosion of institutional capacity in the housing sector and a weakening of housing delivery that reduced the capacity for policy advocacy and community consultation. I am glad to confirm that guided by the new strategy, and thus giving power to the people, we are now closing this yawning gap.

We are intensifying our work relationship with community-based organisations and various nongovernmental organisations to build a strong and cohesive housing sector. These include the Federation of the Urban and Rural Poor, the Built Environment Support Group, the Kuyasa Fund, the Utshani Fund and Rooftops, amongst others.

Additional to this partnership, through the National Youth Commission, the youth of our country responded to the call I made last year when Parliament convened a special session at the birthplace of the Freedom Charter, Kliptown. In Limpopo, specifically in Modimolle, the National Youth Commission has mobilised 95 youth out of a total of 200 that will be needed to undergo training and development to acquire skills in the various aspects of actual construction. They will soon be joined by youths from the Eastern Cape at Makana and Ndlambe Municipalities, and the youth from Mangaung Municipality in the Free State, and the youth from Mpumalanga. The programme is a special programme, the objective of which is to empower the youth.

The initiatives on building partnerships culminated in September last year in the signing of a social contract for rapid urban delivery with 47 very important stakeholders. The stakeholders comprised groupings from the material supply industry, the banking sector, the professional bodies in the built environment such as architects, quantity surveyors, conveyancers, developers, housing institutions, government departments, the Chamber of Mines and nongovernmental organisations that are interested in housing.

Each signatory to the social contract made a commitment to be a member of the plenary assembly, which was to establish a modus operandi to review and monitor progress made towards achieving the ideals of the social contract for rapid housing delivery. The first plenary assembly took place on 15 March 2006 to look at issues such as development planning, land and legal matters, delivery, consumer education, capacity-building and communication, development planning and the housing supply chain.

The social contract brings together all the sectors so that we can mobilise them and gain from their experience and their support to ensure that we can accelerate housing delivery. I believe that through it, we will reach the goal of eradicating informal settlements by 2014.

Further, in giving power to the people in this age of hope, what we mean to do is that we would also attend to the issues relating to the empowerment of women. In this regard, we ring-fenced 30% of each provincial housing department’s allocation to improve access to housing projects by women contractors. In 2005, already, an amount of R1,9 billion has been provided to emerging female contractors.

A section 21 company, Women for Housing, has also been very creative and active in our housing programmes. In August 2005, the group was involved in an initiative with Habitat for Humanity and us and the Gauteng department of housing in the construction of 13 houses in Protea South, Soweto, with 350 volunteers. I must add here that at top of the list of those volunteers was the Acting Premier of Gauteng. The project was one of the most significant, with components of programmes for women in housing construction. It offered many of the participating members an opportunity to gain practical experience. The practical experience ranged from a technical construction skills base to leadership and teamwork skills. A similar event is planned for 2006.

I am encouraged by the fact that despite the limitations they face, in particular with regard to access to finance and training opportunities, Women for Housing nonetheless intend to show their spirit. The challenges that confront them will, however, be our focus in the current financial year, with a view to resolving some of the problems.

Repeating the trend of the incredible international support we had prior to 1994, hon members will be glad to know that an Irishman called Niall Mellon has been making forays into our country since 2003. He has bought a holiday home in Hout Bay where he would otherwise have relaxed and stayed, surrounded by affluence and security. However, each time he comes to South Africa, what he does is find sites of extreme poverty. And then, bringing with him volunteers from Ireland, he has helped us build, to date, 500 houses, specifically in Imizamo Yethu. [Applause.] Last year, he brought 700 volunteers that included amongst them the legendary British boxer, Chris Eubank, to build 120 houses in two weeks. For Netreg, which is part of the N2 Gateway Project, he launched a show house in April.

To support the initiative, we have made a commitment to provide him with land. His is a concrete demonstration of the potential that can be unlocked by those who have resources and the poor at their mercy and in their heart. I take this opportunity to thank Niall Mellon and his volunteers for he has pledged that for this year, given land, he will build a thousand houses somewhere in one province. [Applause.]

Because we would want to see the escalation and enhancement of all these activities implementing our own part of the social contract, we are already reviewing all legislation that has an impact on the implementation of the Breaking New Ground Strategy. In this regard, a study of the relevant provincial legislation has been completed. This will now be fed into the Committee for the Review of Legislation that is in the process of finishing their work. Members of this committee have already identified some of the blockages and very soon I should be getting a report from them.

In November last year, Minmec approved the policy regarding the Fast- tracking of Housing Solution for People Living in Areas of Stress by using the Emergency Housing Circumstances Programme. Pilots under the programme will be implemented in Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape. In Gauteng, the pilot will be in Protea South, in Tsakane, Extension 10, in Ekurhuleni and in Sicelo Shiceka, Extension 5, in Sedibeng. [Applause.]

Chairperson, can I recover the two minutes I have lost?

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: You may continue, Minister.

The MINISTER OF HOUSING: The Eastern Cape’s pilot project will be in the Ikwezi Municipality in Klipplaat, which was hit by a tornado in February 2005. I would like to say in this respect that one of the provinces that had opted out of this emergency programme has now realised that in fact it should have been part of this programme.

We went on a Deputy Presidential Imbizo in Taung in the North West over the weekend where we witnessed with our own eyes the enormity of the challenges we face in dealing with emergency houses as a result of the flooding. None of us sitting here would have been able to withstand the kind of situation faced by those people in the dead of winter. I have requested the director- general and officials to work in collaboration with the province and the municipality to urgently find a solution using this programme.

I am informed that a solution has indeed been found and that Nedcor has offered us assistance to ensure that we can provide emergency shelter for the people of Taung. I would like to thank them from the bottom of my heart for this gesture.

In the Western Cape, two sites have already been identified and we will be moving very swiftly to make sure that we can put up emergency housing.

The banking sector has been mobilised to support initiatives to break new ground in housing delivery. Negotiations, as you would probably have heard, with the banks to release R42 billion that was pledged for this purpose, have been concluded. But apart from the banks giving this kind of support they have their own initiated projects, some of which are in Olievenhoutbosch in Gauteng, in Mpumalanga and, I believe, also here on the N2.

After concerns were raised by hon members about the credibility of housing lists last year, I resolved to ensure that the matter would be attended to. As reported last year in the National Assembly, an audit company was appointed in this regard. The task of auditing the list has now been concluded in the pilot which we are running on the N2 and I can proudly claim that the waiting list for Cape Town has now been successfully audited. [Applause.]

We have marked out the criteria with the communities and the website for this is up and running. We request you as members of the National Council of Provinces to please help us to ensure that you help your constituencies access this information and check whether their details are registered on the waiting lists. The success of this registration process will help us ensure that we can sell it to other provinces.

With the steps that we have taken, I am satisfied that we can confidently speak about realising accelerated delivery, starting this financial year. The provinces are delivering and I am very happy with their delivery and would like to say that, even if the two representatives were not here today. In the 2005/2006 financial year, we saw an increase in the actual number of houses that the provinces delivered. Thank you very much MECs, you make me very proud. [Applause.] In this regard, Chairperson, I was actually saying to one of my MECs that my biggest problem now is that I might need to get added security because wherever I am in Gauteng and in other provinces, I have these old ladies coming to kiss me because they are so grateful that we are delivering and I might need to be protected from this.

I want to announce today that provinces have been able to spend a total of 95% of the integrated Human Settlement Development Grant allocated to them; a huge improvement indeed and I am very happy with the progress that we have made. We have a slight problem, though, in the province of the Free State, which has only spent 75% of its budget, but we are working on the matter.

In Gauteng the National Home Builders Registration Council conducted audits of the rectification programme of the Gauteng department with approximately 7 203 subsidised houses constructed from the year 1994 to 2002. The pilot project commenced in October 2005 and ended in March this year. It focused in townships of Lakeside, Bramfisherville and Thintwa. A process has now been undertaken to rectify these houses. I am informing you about this because, as you do know, we have a problem with houses that are falling apart. Shoddy work that we have discovered has been left for our people to deal with. We had said that we are expecting provinces themselves, and the municipalities, would be able to assist people who find themselves in this kind of situation. We started in Gauteng and we are hoping that when this is a success, we can roll it out across the country.

Last year, the housing Minmec embarked on a process of reviewing the allocation formula in a manner that would reflect the principles and objectives of breaking new ground. We ensure that the new formula recognises the changing dynamics in human settlement patterns and movement in our country. Some of the factors we will have introduced now relate to the recognition of the migration patterns, the rural housing needs and the component of alignment in the National Spatial Development Perspective principles. We will also recognise the need to ensure that we in housing can collectively prioritise key developmental projects that can be determined, funded and driven centrally.

In order to provide support in particular for the implementation of the comprehensive plan, the department will be restructured with the view to creating expertise in the fields of operations programmes, project management, monitoring, evaluation and capacity-building. Therefore, Chairperson, we will establish separate units in the department to support provinces and municipalities with, for instance, informal settlement upgrading and the development of social housing. We are also looking towards expanding the existing capacity-building unit within the department, which will focus on supporting housing consumer education as well as municipal accreditation.

Being greatly encouraged by the improvement that we have had in these areas that I have mentioned, I need to get to the point now that perhaps most of you could have been waiting for. I want to announce the following budgetary allocations for our provinces for the financial year 2006/2007: The Eastern Cape has been allocated R761,994 million; the Free State has been allocated R522,601 million; Gauteng has been allocated a whopping R1,7 billion; KwaZulu-Natal has been allocated R1,048 billion; Limpopo has been allocated R521,331 million; Mpumalanga has been allocated R421,002 million; Northern Cape has been allocated R104,774 million; North West has been allocated R613,405 million; and the Western Cape has been allocated R598,800 million. The total that they are putting as the baseline allocation is R6 349,949 for this financial year.

Having made that announcement, Chairperson, I would like to say thank you very much for giving me this opportunity. [Applause.]

Mr R J TAU: Hon Chair, hon Minister, MECs present, comrades, the Strategy and Tactics of the ANC state that:

A critical element for national emancipation should be the elimination of apartheid property relations. This requires the deracialisation of ownership and control of wealth, including land; equity and affirmative action in the provision of skills and access to positions of management; consolidation and pooling of the power of the state, institutional and social capital in the hands of the motive forces of our revolution; encouragement of the co-operative sector, as well as the systematic and intelligent ways of working in partnership with private capital in a relationship that will be defined by unity and struggle; co- operative engagement and contestation on fundamental issues.

It requires the elimination of the legacy of apartheid’s super exploitation and inequality, and the redistribution of wealth and income to benefit society as a whole.

The reason I chose to quote the strategy and tactics of the ANC so extensively is precisely because I want to highlight the extent to which the ANC is consistent with its programme of advancing and deepening the national democratic revolution through its government programmes. This debate, therefore, is a reflection of that.

We are engaged in the Housing policy debate, but we cannot do that without locating it within the context of the reconstruction and development of our country. This debate is, therefore, located within the context of land redistribution or agrarian transformation for housing, water provision for sanitation, skills for the construction of housing, co-operatives, especially women’s co-ops and for the socialisation of capital.

It must also be further understood as an instrument of deracialising the ownership patterns through the development and support of new and emerging contractors. Of course, as stated in our Strategy and Tactics, “all this cannot be done without an intense struggle”.

Consistent with our resolve to build a better life for all our people, and the principle as expressed in our Strategy and Tactics, our 2004 Manifesto states that: We shall build more subsidised houses and introduce medium-density housing closer to places of work, and provide those who have as yet not received such housing with service standards for more.

To illustrate our commitment to the promises we made to the people in this regard, our Minister announced the comprehensive human settlement plan, which, in all respects, seeks to do exactly what we promised our people and the country. Coupled with that is the radical reconstruction of the subsidy bands that our people will qualify for as of now.

Our programme of Taking Parliament to the People has once more reminded us that greed and dishonesty will always stand in the way of consolidating the revolutionary gains we have made since 1994. While our government does its best for our people to live a decent life, we find unscrupulous contractors, who build poor quality and incomplete houses with the motive of maximising profit rather than service delivery.

These are people who would stop at nothing in siphoning off the resources of the state by promising to build quality houses, only to disappear after laying the foundations. These are vultures that continue to drain the few resources made available to improve the poor living conditions of the workers and the poor.

We are, nevertheless, comfortable with the systems that have been put in place by the department to stop the corrupt activities, including, amongst other things, dealing with the officials who collaborate with these vultures.

During our oversight visits to provinces we noticed a number of blocked projects and poorly completed projects. Having raised this aspect with the department on a consistent basis, finally the department responded by presenting positive and clear measures on how it envisages remedying the situation during this financial year. All that is left is for the provinces to implement this remedy, and of course we shall monitor the implementation processes as they unfold in provinces.

It is now up to the provinces to roll up their sleeves and utilise their allocated 3% of the budget to unblock the projects and ensure that our people benefit positively from them. We have also noted a disturbing tendency by some bad farmers - I’m saying “some” because not all farmers are bad – who contribute destructively to the reconstruction and development of our country by refusing to co-operate with government in availing land for the construction of houses.

And to worsen the situation, they even force their workers to establish informal settlements and demand housing from government, by so doing increasing the burden of the state. As the ANC, we call upon such farmers to repent, for the ANC is coming to walk and to work with you to ensure that together we build houses for our people.

We have noted as public representatives, together with the department, that it is important to develop a strategy in order to educate our people to value their houses as economic assets and, therefore, as a bargaining tool for further economic advances.

Perhaps, hon Minister, the campaign proposed by the committee should be called “Operation: O se ka wa rekisa borulelo jwa gago” [Do not sell your roof]. It is our belief that such a campaign would go a long way towards the education our people not to sell their RDP houses or rent them out, only to stay in a shack, but rather to value them as that critical instrument that can reconstruct their lives for the better economically.

That also goes for the development of housing co-operatives, particularly for single rural women. I am quite impressed, but I won’t necessarily be going into detail, as I had planned in my speech. I think the Minister dealt with this issue quite extensively and I don’t want to spoil it. I’m quite impressed with the extent to which young people and women have played a critical role and benefited from the process of housing delivery in the country.

One of the critical points we identified as a committee is the capacity of provinces to spend to the fullest the housing grants allocated to them. Yes, of course, we acknowledge their remarkable improvement. We appreciate the fact that there is an improvement in that regard.

Most of the provinces have spent over 90% of their allocated grants. However, it is our belief that the money was allocated for 100% expenditure or more. Therefore, we appeal to the provinces to spend more than they have been allocated in order to get our support.

One other important aspect we have observed from provinces is the capacity of the municipalities to play ball, that is through the process of accreditation. In the public hearings that have been convened most provinces have indicated that they have pilot projects. And as a committee, we believe that perhaps it is time now that we looked beyond piloting and towards ensuring that local municipalities play that critical role of ensuring that they also play their part in the provision of housing for our people.

That, of course, goes with the strengthening of the capacity of municipalities to improve service delivery in housing, because it would be pointless to just give them accreditation without ensuring that there is proper infrastructure, human resources, capital resources, proper understanding and training to ensure that they do not make mistakes in the process of being accredited as developers. Rather, we need to look at how best to put in place systems that will increase the capacity of municipalities.

Indeed, the land belongs to all those who work it. Of course, as the chairperson of the select committee with a particular bias towards a particular province, it would be uncalled for of me not to raise this point. The point is that one of the provinces that have been seriously affected by the phasing out of the cross-boundary municipalities is the Northern Cape.

It is important that once all these agreements and processes have been completed, and provinces are capable of really engaging in some of the challenges that they are faced with, the Northern Cape’s budget is increased remarkably next year. Of course, everything will then be in the hands of the Northern Cape, including the issue of Kgalagadi. So I think this is a critical aspect to look at. [Interjections.]

Hon Chair, we are steadfast; we are committed; we are consistent with our historical mission as the ANC. The committee, therefore, is here with a clear mandate, to support the Budget Vote. I thank you. [Applause.]

Nkk M N OLIPHANT: Ngiyabonga sihlalo. Ngqongqoshe ohloniphekile, amalunga alendlu kanye nezithunywa ezikhethekileyo. Okokuqala nje sihlalo ngizofisa ukusho ukuthi kufanele sibheke ukuthi ngabe umgomo ka ANC usukela kuphi. Okokuqala ngo 1955,abantu basemzansi ne Afrika bakhuluma bathi, bonke abantu base mzansi ne Afrika bayoba nophahla phezu kwabo nokuvikeleka nokunethezeka. Bonke abantu bayoba nelungelo lokuhlala lapho bezikhethele khona. Ngokwalengxenye yomqulu wenkululeko, namhlanje sinomhlahlandlela wezezindlu owaphunyezwa yiPhalamende ngonyaka ka 1997. Yingakho sithi sinethemba ngohulumeni oholwa ukhongolose,futhi lo mthetho uvumela abantu ukuthi babeke imibono ngokuthi hlobo luni lwezindlu abazifunayo.

Uma ngingafakazela lokhu engikushoyo, laba abangazi ngoba bahlale bekhona abangazi, bangahamba bayobheka kwaZulu Natal endaweni ebizwa ngokuthi I Pisangs river, lapho Utshani fund, wasebenza khona ukuthi abantu bazakhele bona ngaphansi kohlelo lwe people’s housing process. Ungaya futhi nakhona la eduze,e Victoria Mxenge e Western Cape. Okuhlaba umxhwele kakhulu-ke ukuthi abantu besifazane laba engikhuluma ngabo, yibona abakha lezi zindlu. Yingakho namhlanje sithi asibhiyozele iminyaka engamashumi amahlanu,ngenxa yeqhaza elabanjwa abantu besifazane ukulwela inkululeko yalelizwe ngokwenza imashi eyayilibangise e Pitoli futhi basaqhubeka basahola kulelizwe. Yingakho namhlanje sinongqongqoshe wesifazane kazwelonke futhi yingakho sibona kukhona umehluko naye elandela ezinyathelweni zomunye ungqongqoshe wesifazane. Ngikhuluma nje futhi kunano ngqongqoshe wesifazane osuka e Gauteng , yingakho iGauteng ihamba phambili. Ngiyathemba ukuthi kusobala ukuthi ubuholi babantu besifazane buhamba kanjani.

Ngiyafisa ke ukusho ukuthi kunomehluko phakathi kwezindlu ezakhiwa yilaba bantu besifazane kanye nezindlu ezakhiwa izinkampani zokwakha. Uma ungaya eVictoria Mxenge indlu eyayinkulu kunazo zonke yayi yikhulu namashumi amabili ngamamitha uma uyiqhathanisa naleyo eyakhiwa yinkampani yokwakha engamashumi amathathu nambili amamitha kodwa ngoxhaso lwemali olufanayo. Mhlawumbe ke ngqongqoshe okunye esingafisa ukuthi ukwenze ukuqinisekisa ukuthi I NHBRC iyalandelela ikakhulukazi empahleni yokwakha esetshenziswa izinkampani zokwakha ngoba bathenga izimpahla zokwakha ezishibhile ukuze bakwanzi ukuthola inzuzo eningi.

Ngiyafisa futhi-ke kungqongqoshe ukuthi sibuke ukuthi uMnyango wezeZindlu ungenza kanjani ukuthi ubambe iqhaza, ikakhulukazi ohlelweni lwe Accelerated Shared Growth Initiative Of South Africa. Uma sibheka ukuthi indlu yakhiwa kanjani,indlu uthi uma usuyakhile usuyiqedile. kudingakala ukuthi ingakakhiwa indlu kube nendlela eya kuleyondawo, kuphinde kudingeke amanzi kuleyondawo ngaphambi kokuthi uqale indlu. Uma indlu seyakhiwe seyiphelile bese kungena nogesi. Uma sekungene ugesi kwaphelela konke endlini, abantu abahlala endlini izinto abazifunayo zokuqala isitofu,ifriji,I televison kanye ne radio.

Lokhu kuba nomthelela ekutheni abantu abenza lezizinto basemathubeni okudalekelwa imisebenzi ukuze abantu bakwazi ukuhlomula ekwakhiweni kwezindlu, nasekwakhiweni kwalezi zinto okufanele bazisebenzise kulezo zindlu. Ngiyafisa ke futhi ukusho ukuthi enye into Ngqongqoshe ebuye isiphazamise ukuthi uxhaso lwezimalo lokuthenga izindlu esikhathini esiningi izinkampani zokwakha ziyaye zithi, ingxenye yakhona ziyisebenzisa kwingqalasizinda lapho bezokwakha khona izindlu, kodwa ngokohlahlo-mali lwePhalamemde kunoxhaso lwengqalasizinda ezingeni lomasipala kanye nasezingeni lezifundazwe.

Into esifuna ukuthi ungqongqoshe ayibheke ,indlela angahlanganisa ngayo ingqalasizinda yezindawo ngokuhlukana kwazo ukuze kungathi le mali encane yokwakha isakhiwo iphinde isetshenziselwe ingqalasizinda.Okunye ukuthi iyiphi indlela umnyango ongahlanganisa ngayo ikakhulukazi emnyangweni wezamanzi,ezemigwaqo,ezikagesi kanye nomnyango wezemisebenzi yomphakathi ngohlelo lwama Seta,ukuqhubeka nokuqeqesha ikakhulukazi abantu besifazane kanye nentsha ukuze bakwazi ukubamba iqhaza, nokuqhubekela phambili.

Siyazike ukuthi umzansi ne Afrika uzimisele ukuthi abantu balelizwe babambe iqhaza kukho konke ukuze bathuthukise izimpilo zabo zibe ngcono. Ngicabanga ukuthi iyona ndlela yokuqala le esingayisebenzisa ekutheni sikwazi ukuthuthukisa ikakhulukazi izindawo zasemakhaya ngoba isikhathi esiningi kubonakala sengathi ukuthuthukisa izindlu emakhaya kusalela ngemuva. Mhlawumbe bekungaba kuhle ukuthi ungqongqoshe ngoba ngicabanga abantu basemakhaya bazikhuthalele ukuzisebenzela bona ngokwabo. Uma singavula uhlelo njengoba umhlonishwa u TAU eshilo ukuthi, uma singenza ukuthi abantu bakwazi ukusebenza ngokohlelo luka vuka uzibambele,abantu basemakhaya bayakwazi ukulibamba lelo qhaza. Siyethemba ngqongqoshe ukuthi ngokubambisana nezifunda kanye nezifundazwe, siyokwazi ukuqhubekela phambili. Ngiyabonga Sihlalo. (Translation of isiZulu speech follows.)

[Mrs M N OLIPHANT: Thank you, Chairperson. Hon Minister, hon members and distinguished delegates, firstly I wish to look at the history of the ANC’s policy. In 1955 the South Africans declared that all the people of South Africa should have houses, security and comfort. “All people shall have a right to live where they choose.” According to this section of the Freedom Charter, today we have a housing framework that was fulfilled by Parliament in 1997. That is why we are saying we have hope in the ANC-led government and this Act allowing people to make their opinions known about the types of houses they want.

To support what I am saying, those who don’t know can visit KwaZulu-Natal, the area called Piesangs River, where the Utshani Fund assisted people to build houses themselves under the People’s Housing Process. You can also visit an area called Victoria Mxenge in the Western Cape. What is impressive is that I am talking about women; they are the ones who are building these houses. That is why we are commemorating the 50th anniversary; because of the role played by women in the liberation of this country by marching on Pretoria, they are still leading this country. That is why today we have a woman national Minister and she is following in the footsteps of another female Minister. As I am speaking to you, we have a female Minister from Gauteng, which is why Gauteng is leading. I think the present situation concerning women in leadership is clear.

I also want to say that there is a difference between houses built by these women and those built by construction companies. In Victoria Mxenge, the biggest house was 120m² compared to those that were built by the construction company, which were 32m², with the same financial assistance. Minister, you must also see to it that NHBRC standards are followed, particularly concerning building material that is used by construction companies. They buy cheap material so that they would be able to gain a large profit.

I would be grateful if the Minister could investigate the role that could be played by the Department of Housing, particularly in the project of Accelerated and Shared Growth of South Africa, Asgisa. If we look at how you build a house, before starting, you need a road and water. When you finish the house, you need to connect electricity. After that, people can occupy the house and the first appliances that they need are: a stove, a fridge, a television set and a radio.

This has an impact on job creation because people who are doing these jobs and those who are working with appliances benefit from the construction of housing. Minister, the financial assistance for buying houses is also of great concern to us. Most of the time the construction companies are using a portion of that money for infrastructure where houses are to be built. However, in terms of Parliamentary budget allocation, the issues of infrastructure are in the hands of municipalities and provincial governments.

The other thing that we would like the Minister to address is the way she can integrate infrastructure in different areas so that we won’t use the budget for infrastructure instead of housing. Another point is in what way can the department collaborate with the Departments of Water Affairs and Forestry, Transport, Minerals and Energy and Public Works in Seta programmes, to continue and train women and youth in particular to enable them to participate and grow.

We know that the South African government is committed to bringing the community on board so that they would participate in improving their lives. I think this is the way we could use to develop rural areas, because in terms of housing development, they are lagging far behind. It would be better if the Minister - because in rural areas people are committed to working for themselves – could open up the project, as hon Tau said, of Vuka Uzibambele. [Let up and do it yourself.] The rural community can play that role. Minister, we hope that with co-operation with other provinces and regions, we will make progress. Thank you, Chairperson.]

Mr G R KRUMBOCK: Chairperson, hon Minister and hon members, millions of people in our country exist without security and dignity because they do not have access to adequate housing or shelter. To give credit where credit is due, national government recognises this need and, consequently, the Minister of Finance indicated last year that the housing budget would increase by more than R2,5 billion over the MTEF period starting in 2005. This year’s budget has increased by 30% compared to 2005–06 and it is further forecast to expand to R9,5 billion by 2008-09.

Our first major challenge, however, lies in our capacity to deliver. The unpleasant truth is that, over the medium term, government is delivering less with more. In 1997-98, nearly 296 000 houses were delivered as opposed to only 129 000 completed or under construction in 2004-05, according to the Department of Housing’s annual report. In the short term, we have seen a decline from 203 000 units in 2003 to 193 000 in 2004, and the aforementioned 129 000 last year. Over the past seven years the department has delivered an average of 181 000 per year, against the backlog of 2,4 million homes.

Meanwhile the number of people located in informal settlements without proper housing continues to grow and is outstripping our insufficient capacity to deliver. Indeed, the government projected, in its 2002 annual report, a housing backlog of 3,1 million homes by 2010 and 3,3 million homes by 2015. These projections were calculated in a year where housing delivery exceeded 200 000 units. And one wonders whether even a backlog of 3,3 million homes is achievable, considering last year’s delivery of only 129 000 homes. Clearly, capacity rather than funding remains the key challenge, which requires serious and sustained attention.

Our second significant problem remains the quality of many of the houses that are delivered. Correctly, the NHBRC’s motto of “Quality is our priority” is correct. The annual report of 2005 is a literal mine of information which could be reinterpreted to suggest a number of ways in which we can address the quality control problem.

In referring to the NHBRC, I feel I can do no worse than in the same budget debate last year, where the Minister replied that there was absolutely nothing in my address that she agreed to. Considering that my speech was an implicit affirmation of the government’s Gear policy and an endorsement of the President’s commitment to do away with job-crushing labour legislation as it affects the housing industry, I must say I found the Minister’s response most surprising. But then, again, there is a lot of that going around these days.

Last year, I referred to the lack of progress on the star rating or grading system for registered contractors. Having fought for this improvement for many years, even testifying as a private citizen to the housing portfolio committee in the late 1990s in this regard, I was pleased to see that the NHBRC chief executive officer’s report disclosed that the organisation, I quote: “Has introduced an exciting plan as an incentive for homebuilders, the grading system.” The DA believes, and stated at the time, that incentivising sound business practises would make better builders more competitive, lower the cost of homes and align market forces with government policy. It was thus gratifying to read the CEO’s statement that this plan will encourage homebuilders to strive for a better grade by providing a quality home and enhance their business status.

The CEO’s report is dated 31 March 2005. All the regulations in this regard have been drafted and it is therefore disappointing to learn that, more than a year later, the grading system is still not operational. Apparently all that is required is promulgation by the Minister and I can only urge her to do so as soon as possible.

One of the lessons that the NHBRC has learnt from the forensic audit is that more training should be provided to emerging homebuilders, as the quality of construction is not yet at the desirable level. Hon Tau also referred to that in his address. The fact is, most homes in South Africa are not covered by an NHBRC warranty. The number of homes rolled out by the NHBRC between March 2002 to March 2005 amounted to 152 122 units, whereas the number of units delivered by the Department of Housing alone over this period totalled 526 755 units. A minimum percentage of NHBRC-enrolled homes required remedial work for monies drawn from the warranty fund - just R2,8 million in the year ending 31 March 2005, out of a net profit of R291,4 million for that year, a mere 0,99%.

The warranty fund stood at R939 million at that time and is presently valued at R1,2 billion. It is a pity that Treasury regulation restrict the NHBRC investments to listed bonds, securities and cash, whereas greater flexibility would allow more aggressive investments in Blue Chip equities and more rapid appreciation in the fund over the longer term. Nonetheless an independent actuarial service has confirmed that the NHBRC as a whole is solvent and in a sound financial position. Moreover the income statement revealed that inspections comprised just 17,6 % of total expenditure for the year.

In view of low claims on the warranty fund and relatively low expenditure on inspections on the one hand, and a solvent organisation of over one billion rand of warranty funds in reserve, is it not time that a fresh look be taken at providing training and warranty cover in the area extensively covered by People’s Housing Projects? Even if warranty claims were to double, this would still amount to less than 0,5% of the total warranty fund and would go a long way to addressing quality construction issues that have not yet been adequately addressed.

I would like to conclude by commenting on the statement that hon Tau made in his address. I was very intrigued to hear his comments, with respect to unscrupulous building contractors who are fleecing vulnerable people, in this regard. It is my understanding that nobody can build houses for profit or receive financing unless they are in fact registered with the NHBRC. So, clearly, something is falling through the cracks, and I would like to appeal to the Minister to investigate hon Tau’s concern, that he raised in this House. I do believe the issue that he raised requires and warrants close attention. I thank you, Chair.

Mr J F VAN WYK (Northern Cape): Chairperson, Hon Minister of Housing, hon members, it gives me great pleasure to participate in this debate, especially because we are celebrating Africa Day. This reminds us that we should not look at our struggle against poverty and underdevelopment in isolation but that the creation of our new democratic South Africa is part of the creation of a better Africa and a better world.

Housing remains one the greatest and most daunting challenges government is faced with. The extent of the challenge derives from the size of the housing backlog, the desperation and impatience of the poor and homeless. The Northern Cape housing and local government department, regarding the goals of the provincial government, continues to work through these challenges whilst endeavouring to alleviate the pressure of the housing crisis. Achieving good delivery in the housing processes concerning the past 12 years has not always been an easy task. The department was able to provide a substantial number of houses through intensive capacity-building programmes which took place across the province, resulting in an increased skills base for housing development. Now that the delivery of housing is in full swing in our province, there are unfortunately no sufficient funds to meet the total housing needs in the Northern Cape. New legislation and policy changes have placed an added burden on the department and municipalities in the province, thus making planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the housing programme more difficult.

The Northern Cape has received R104 million from national allocation in this current financial year for housing development. In the light of this, the province is planning to construct 2001 housing units for the year. Out of these, 654 houses will be delivered through current projects. Eight hundred and seventy-four houses will come from block projects and 473 houses from new projects. A total number of 1 060 new sites will be planned and serviced in the province.

This budget allocation is noble but not adequate if compared with real facts, which will add a new dimension to the problem we are faced with in housing development. The housing department cannot initiate enough projects in the Northern Cape. This budget will mostly be used to unblock and complete blocked projects as well as to complete some of the running projects which were initiated towards the end of the 2003-04 financial year.

In the Northern Cape a larger product was ensured by setting a minimum house size of 36m² whilst the national Department of Housing had laid down the 32m² as a minimum house size at national level. Nevertheless, the province has succeeded in some cases by delivering houses larger than 50m². In some cases it has also delivered houses that are 54m² in size. This, however, has created high expectations amongst the people who sought to benefit from the subsidy scheme.

The poor expected bigger houses, but in reality the subsidy can only provide a basic liveable structure with the most basic services. Policy development continued into delivery practice and various attempts were made to increase the size of the houses because beneficiaries wanted the biggest structures they could get. This made it difficult and impossible for the developers to sustain the housing projects, and caused a number of these to come to a complete standstill.

These incidents occurred because key factors such as location, fluctuating input prices and distances were not considered enough when developers were encouraged to build bigger houses. Building materials are not always readily available in the Northern Cape province and therefore had to be brought in from other provinces, and transporting them over long distances increased the building costs. We do encounter instances where these materials had not been tested for SABS compliance and do not comply. We are currently in the process of sorting this out.

These factors, together with a number of other related problems, have caused the downfall and financial ruin of many developers and contractors in the province. As a result, many projects were stopped or abandoned by the developers and have not shown any progress over a long period. These are the projects we refer to as “blocked projects”. For that reason, the department is consequently engaged in a process whereby all the blocked projects have been allocated additional funds, with a view to completing them. An independent consulting firm has been appointed by the national housing department to assist the Northern Cape with this process.

Other factors that have affected the delivery of houses concern policy changes. A number of SMMEs were appointed to manage projects but the lack of proper project management skills has caused delay on some projects – not forgetting community conflict. Housing has also experienced budget shortfalls and cash flow problems, and this has been a major cause of most projects coming to a complete standstill.

All of the above factors impacted severely on the successful implementation of the projects, and also caused the delay of some projects over long periods of time. This only goes to show that the process is well managed, in the face of a dire need for additional funding. However, the matter was never adequately addressed.

The process to unblock and complete all blocked projects only, in the 2006- 07 financial year, will require an additional budget of no less than R150 million. The allocation of R104 million will be inadequate and is therefore not sufficient to fund all the housing projects. This therefore gives rise to the shortfall that I have mentioned, concerning the blocked projects process only, which, in terms of a national decision, must be completed by 31 March 2008. It is therefore critical that additional funds be sourced for the 2006-07 financial year in order to prevent further disruption in the implementation of the housing programme in our province during the ensuing financial years.

There are also a number of shortcomings in the area of institutional capacity. The data on the computerised housing subsidy management system is not up to date concerning all projects. Information relating to projects, financial information and beneficiary information needs to be cleaned up and corrected. Again, I need to say that the national department has availed additional capacity to complete this task. We wish to express our gratitude to the Minister in this regard.

The filing system of individual application forms needs to be upgraded in order to link the filed application forms with the applicants’ ID numbers. Due to insufficient funding, this process will only be attended to during this current financial year. Data lines from our regional offices in Springbok, Upington and De Aar need to be upgraded in order to successfully decentralise housing subsidy management systems functions to the service point. This is very applicable to the Northern Cape. This matter was also raised with the national Department of Housing and the department is currently busy assisting us with the upgrading of data lines.

We also need to appoint more building inspectors. Though we have made a few appointments, more building inspectors are still required. The department has approached Thubelisha Homes, a national housing institution, to assist with unblocking and completion of blocked projects in the Pixley region. Because of their involvement, already, there are signs which show improvement in project management and monitoring in that specific region.

The Housing Act of 1997 stipulates a new and important role for municipalities in the housing process. Local government, the sphere of government closest to the people responsible for the social and economic wellbeing of the people, must therefore be on the forefront of housing delivery. Our vision and mission is to ensure that that happens.

While the department of housing and local government is responsible for determination of housing policy to facilitate the provision of adequate housing in the Northern Cape, it is equally important that provincial government supports and strengthens municipalities to manage the delivery process.

The province, as part of the new comprehensive plan Breaking New Ground has begun a process to accredit competent municipalities to administer national housing programmes. Current plans call for the national housing department to embark on a 10-year phased approach towards the accreditation of South Africa’s full complement of municipalities. Due to the lack of municipal capacity and the vast distances between towns in the Northern Cape, the Northern Cape is targeting five district municipalities as well three larger municipalities for accreditation.

The national Department of Housing regards the accreditation of district municipalities as a pilot for the country. The legal framework to formalise the housing mandate for the district municipalities will be finalised during this MTEF period. This programme was launched formally in our province in February this year.

Due to the breaches of contract, the department is still busy with legal action against defaulting contractors. The process is currently ongoing and some meetings have taken place with the role-players. The legal action against contractors is separated from the process of completing the incomplete houses. The State Attorney’s office is involved in this. Municipalities and the department have jointly looked at ways to secure funding to complete the affected projects.

The CHAIRPPERSON OF THE NCOP: I am afraid your speaking time has expired, MEC.

Mr J F VAN WYK (Northern Cape): Thank you very much, Chairperson.

Ms N P MAGWAZA (Western Cape): Chairperson, hon Minister and hon members, I am not the chairperson of the housing committee. I am standing in for the MEC for local governance and housing in our province, but I am the chairperson of community development.

The struggle is far from over. The struggle continues, more particularly to get our people housed, to give them back their dignity and to put an end to homelessness. We are motivated to continue with this struggle when we improve on our achievements year after year, particularly in the Western Cape, where we inherited a housing backlog from the past inhuman government.

Our province currently has a housing backlog of 360 000 houses. In the City of Cape Town alone, we have a backlog of 260 000 houses. Our housing budget enables us to deliver 16 000 houses per year, and 18 000 serviced sites.

This clearly demands innovative ideas. In relation to that, we view partnerships as the way to go. We are calling the private sector to the party, and so far tremendous progress has been made.

Let me just state that we cannot ask for partnerships if we are unable to spend what is allocated to us. We first have to spend what is allocated to us and then continue with the negotiations to lead us into partnerships.

The department of local government and housing in the Western Cape has achieved a 100% expenditure of the housing conditional grants allocated to it. This includes the R77 million rolled over from the 2004-05 financial year, and the R456 million allocated to the 2005-06 financial year. Over and above these amounts, various provincial departments contributed funds for human settlement, given the urgency of the needs in our province. In fact, the department of local government and housing in the Western Cape has spent 107% of the funds allocated to it. With this kind of a scenario, we are able to present a formidable case to all potential partners.

Coming to the upgrading of the informal settlement programme, we have people who are living in very appalling conditions. Their hope is that the government will intervene, improve and totally change their miserable living conditions.

The Upgrading of Informal Settlement Programme as well as the Emergency Housing Programme, the EHP - I will refer to it later - are our instruments to bring relief. The UISP is a programme that delivers services to the families in informal settlements on a phased basis. Provision of basic services brings relief to many families, and is followed by the provision of a higher level of services and, finally, to structures.

A total of 16 projects worth R366 million have been approved as part of the UISP, and many of these will be financed over more than one financial year. In the City of Cape Town, some of these projects are at Enkanini, Silvertown, Khayelitsha, and Wallacedene in Kraaifontein. Some of the other projects are Knysna Vision 2002, Bossiesgif in Plettenberg Bay, and Asazani/Zinyoka in Mossel Bay.

Regarding the Emergency Housing Programme, this programme provides temporary assistance in the form of secure access to land, basic services or shelter in cases of exceptional housing need. Municipalities use the EHP to bring relief to communities devastated by shack fires, by issuing emergency starter kits consisting of corrugated iron sheets, wood, a doorframe and a window, nails and hinges, and PVC sheeting. Although it cannot be regarded as adequate housing, it has at least brought immediate relief to those in despair.

A total of 29 projects to the value of R200 million have been approved. These projects have included the provision of emergency housing to people living within a rail reserve in Khayelitsha, and the relocation and provision of basic services to 413 households in Clanwilliam, to 2 000 households in Grabouw and to 800 households in Middelpos, Saldanha Bay. Over 25 000 households will be benefiting from such emergency assistance.

Regarding the provision of basic sanitation, we may be talking about the eradication of the bucket system, but the department of local government and housing in my province is saying that the problem is actually more than that.

For example, those of us who sometimes use the N2 to Somerset West, or any other area beyond Khayelitsha, will notice that there are people from Site C who relieve themselves along the N2. Clearly these people do not even have the bucket system. The people from Site C might just be an example, and they may just be the tip of the iceberg.

The MEC of housing, the hon Richard Dyantyi, has commissioned a detailed study of the sanitation backlog in the province, so that he can be in a position to develop a systematic plan to provide basic sanitation for all by 2010. The study is being guided by a steering committee comprising the department of local government, the department of water affairs and forestry, and the department of agriculture. The final report will be available in September 2006.

What we cannot afford to do is to wait for the report with arms folded. The local government and housing department of the Western Cape is driving a bucket eradication programme, in the Project Consolidate municipalities of Theewaterskloof, Kannaland and Cedarberg. Our projects in Bonnievale and De Doorns form part of these initiatives.

In partnership with the Development Bank of Southern Africa, we will make technical expertise available in municipalities for this programme. The MEC has also urged all municipalities to make use of their municipal infrastructure grant, grant allocation and own funding to extend basic sanitation in their areas.

Altogether, R6,9 million of special MIG funding was allocated for basic sanitation for 2005-06. Drakenstein, Hessequa, and Bitou have already spent 100% of this funding, and Stellenbosch, Theewaterskloof, Oudtshoorn and Knysna are making good progress.

A special MIG allocation for basic sanitation is again being made available for 2006-07, and R14 million will be allocated, as follows: to the municipalities of Matzikama, R2,7 million; the West Coast District Municipality, R2,4 million; Overstrand, R1,1 million; Kannaland, R2,3 million; Mossel Bay, R2,2 million, and Eden District, R3,8 million.

This focus on basic sanitation is in addition to the provision of 18 412 serviced sites across the province, all of which have been at an acceptable level of sanitation.

About the implementation of the new human settlement approach, the backlog that I spoke about earlier on has indicated to us that we need to chase numbers.

This has led to some unintended consequences. We have sometimes overlooked quality in favour of quantity, and we have built houses on land that is easily available but far from economic opportunities. We have done well to deliver so much in such a short space of time, but we must do better. We must move beyond the brick, and create integrated and sustainable communities.

The Breaking New Ground policy unveiled last year tells us how we can do better. We must do things differently; our communities need to be located close to economic opportunities. We can no longer tolerate urban sprawl, which is financially and ecologically unsustainable, and we need to densify our settlements. Our settlements must be neighbourhoods which include recreational, educational, health and social facilities in an effort to practically implement the Breaking New Ground policy.

The department embarked on a broad stakeholder consultation process that culminated in the hosting of a successful Sustainable Human Settlement Summit on 24 and 25 November 2005 in Stellenbosch. The key message was ``Beyond the brick: From inspiration to implementation’’, which is also the theme of this speech.

The provincial Human Settlement Strategy has evolved throughout this consultation process. It will be finalised in June and will be rolled out in the province. I thank you. [Applause.]

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mrs M N Oliphant): Hon members, I want to recognise the hon Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Housing, the hon Zoë Kota, in the gallery.

Mr M A MZIZI: Sihlalo noNgqongqoshe kanye noNgqongqoshe bezifundazwe isandla sedlula ikhanda. Okumhlophe kodwa. [Chairperson, Ministers and provincial ministers, I greet you all.]

Chairperson, it is possible to go without many things in this life; but you cannot go without a place to sleep. Ungakweswela konke kodwa hhayi indawo yokulala. [You can go without many things, but you can’t go without shelter.]

It is important to look at the 2006-07 housing budget with a sharp eye. The budget amounts to R6,8 billion. We know what we inherited from the previous government. Akudingi ukuchazwa lokho. [That does not need to be explained.] We have a backlog of about 2,4 million houses. Kungenxa yaleziyazinto ezazikhona kodwa … [It is because of those things that existed … ]

The critical and burning issues are the following: Shacks, back yard shacks and informal settlement shacks. These problems are increasing. An additional factor to that is unemployment that puts pressure on household income and land.

When detailing these issues, we don’t just want to make critical statements. We need to work together to make sure that our people benefit. The question of the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from Unlawful Occupation of Land Act arises. We should take cognisance of the fact that many RDP houses are also illegally occupied.

Other things are developers who build structures that are not suitable for the needs of the owner and then disappear into thin air without finishing that dwelling. We support the People’s Housing Process and feel that it should be used to address these shortcomings.

Ngqongqoshe, ngikusho lokhu ngesimo esikhona. Uma ungaya laphaya – ngoba ngizwile umfowethu uTau laphayana, bathi aBesuthu: “Mmetla kgola o lebisa ho wa habo” – uma ungaya laphayana eMagagula High, isimo lapho asisihle ngoba abakhi babaleka nezimali. Kukhonjwa izindlu nje ukuthi zakhiwe laphaya kodwa yisiganga. Akukho sizinda, akukho lutho nje. Kwaze kwagcina sesiya enkantolo nalowo owayakha lapho engingeke ngimusho ngegama ngoba phela igama lomuntu liyadula, kodwa-ke isimo asisihle.

Okunye kule mizuzwana esasele, Ngqongqoshe, yindaba yamahostela. Ihamba ngonyawo lonwabu ngoba phela kuthiwa ayalungiswa. Kwaqhamuka igama elalilibi lapha okwakuthiwa kwakhiwa imizi ezohlala imindeni. Zagxuma izinsizwa zabheka phezulu zathi, “Sinemizi emakhaya senifuna ukusiganisa lapha Mzizi? Asizikuganwa lapha.” Selishintshiwe-ke lelo gama. Sengathi-ke kungashesha okwenzeka laphayana emahostela ngoba, Ngqongqoshe, emahostela kuhlala obaba nomama nezingane.

Uma uya ngasezindlini zangasese-ke, akukho zindlu zangasese ezingcono. Zihlala zonke nje lapho emhomeni wesitimela. Awu bakithi, yihlazo lelo ngoba phela sibadala uma singaka, asifuni ukukubona lokhu kwenzeka. Sengathi kungashesha nalokho, Ngqongqoshe kwamahostela kwakhiwe lezo zindlu. Abantu bayezwisisa kanti abanye abezwisisi kodwa-ke sengathi manje abantu kufanele bafundiswe futhi batshelwe ukuthi benzeni. Uma kungase kufezeke lokho, i-IFP iyaseseka lesi sabiwomali. Ngiyabonga. Ihlombe. (Translation of isiZulu paragraphs follows.)

[I am saying that because of the prevailing situation. If you go to – I heard by brother Tau say that the Sothos say: Mmetla kgola o lebisa ho wa habo [Blood is thicker than water] - Magagula High, the situation is not good, because contractors just disappeared with funds. They said houses were built but there are only open spaces. There is no infrastructure, barely anything. We ended up going to court with the person who was doing the construction work. I won’t mention the name as it’s confidential. All in all, the situation is not good.

In the few minutes that are left, Minister, I would like to touch on the issue of hostels. Renovations are going at a snail’s pace. We came up with the wrong concept, saying we are building family houses. People were shocked and they said: “We have homes in rural areas, do you want us to get married here, Mzizi? We are not going to get married here.” We have since changed that concept. The renovation of hostels should be accelerated, because hostels accommodate men, women and children.

With regard to toilets, there are no proper toilets. They all live in a train coach. This is a disgrace, because we are old. We don’t want to witness these things happening. That must be accelerated also. Houses must also be built. Some people understand and others don’t. However, people must be educated and informed what to do. That must be achieved. The IFP supports this budget. Thank you. [Applause.]]

Mr N D HENDRICKSE: Hon Chair, hon Minister, hon members of the House, much progress has been made in the delivery of new houses, provision of site and subsidy allocation. The Human Settlement Framework is a step in the right direction.

Having said this, I want to focus on some of glaring bottlenecks or issues in the housing sector. And I’m happy to have heard from the Minister that the back yard dwellers and integrated housing waiting lists have been sorted out as that has caused a lot of friction here; political parties have used people as footballs and we are happy that that is settled.

Service site availability and the time it takes to make land available is tedious. There needs to be more intergovernmental co-ordination in this process. Often it is paper being shifted from city to province and back again; and never-ending committee meetings makes for an inefficient process. Sites should have a co-ordinator and stores.

I want to focus here on the Western Cape and I want to use that figure of 350 000 houses in backlog and our only being able to build 16 000 houses and having 18 000 sites. So, it tells us that we will never get there if we are just going to build houses. It might be that “site and service” is the way we need to go because our people are able and willing to do this. All they need is the site, a serviced site, stores, and co-ordination that might help them. We have heard of other women who are getting on and we have seen that before and we could have adequate materials swiftly where people make their own building blocks and so forth.

So, I want to suggest the major way we need to go in the future and also that we give houses to people who cannot afford or do not have good or solid jobs. The banks have come and bought these houses for a song or just taken them back. So, that might find us the way to go.

Once again I must congratulate the Minister on the efforts in bringing banks on board to meet challenges set in the Financial Sector Charter regarding affordable low-cost housing. However, we require affordable inner- city housing to change a tenant mix, as presently only luxury apartment- style complexes have been built, especially in Cape Town. More interaction is required between provinces, with the Cape Town City Improvement District to identify sites in the city for affordable housing. The slow pace of development in District Six is a worrying concern.

The People’s Housing Process is an important policy delivery tool, but it must be supported by good technical assistance and perhaps a new funding mechanism is required to subsidise this process.

Hon Minister, through my nationwide travels, I have often seen the same large contractors working on housing development. The tender processes for building houses must accommodate more emerging contractors. We support the Budget Vote. I thank you. [Applause.]

Mr K PANDAY (KwaZulu-Natal): Madam Chair, thank you very much for the opportunity to speak in this debate this afternoon and I wish also to thank the hon Minister for her presentation of the budget. Man needs a roof over his head in order to survive; that is a fact. Man has to be housed in accordance with our Constitution; that is a fact. Government has to provide housing; that is a fact. Although we are building houses, are we building enough? That is the question. Whatever the reasons for not meeting our housing needs, the homeless are suffering. What do we do? Look at models in the rest of the world and see if we can fast-track housing. That is one of the possible ways.

As a further suggestion, we should encourage more self-help schemes; or we should go on a massive production year, called 2006-07, from June to June, a housing year or a year of housing. Let us open the floodgates, identify housing land, develop sites, get every contractor – the emphasis is on “every”, big or small - negotiate the best prices for building materials, and start delivery of houses on a massive scale. The whole of South Africa must be abuzz with the construction of houses.

Madam Minister, if we don’t adopt some drastic, innovative and creative ideas, we will, year in and year out, take stock of our role, and every year without fail we will realise that we are not achieving enough. We have the will. We have the capacity. We have the ability. We will have to translate these into action with vigour and speed. Lest I be misunderstood, delivery is taking place but we require a boom, some kind of acceleration.

In the remaining time available to me I wish to dwell on our experiences in the kingdom. KwaZulu-Natal is the most populous province in South Africa, with the highest rural unemployment rate, at approximately 40%. The topography is an additional financial burden. In Breaking New Ground, rural housing has been given priority, and slum clearance is a very high priority at the moment.

Whilst national government has been very sympathetic to our commitment to providing housing and addressing the backlogs - taking into account that the slum clearance, Breaking New Ground and the trend towards local authorities taking over responsibilities - our budget is insufficient.

Madam Minister, our province is not getting an equitable share. More money is needed in KwaZulu-Natal. Whilst the R1,048 billion that you have announced a little while ago is appreciated, we need more; even more than the current highest amount of R1,7 billion given to another province. Remember that KwaZulu-Natal has the highest population. As a province we need to become more involved in the production of houses, and not just act as a mere funding agent. And national government has to help to improve the monitoring process of the implementing agents.

Of further statistical concern is the age dimension. KwaZulu-Natal’s youthful population of approximately 50% and the implication of the age dimension imply that the province will have to identify programmes that will address the needs of the youth population. KwaZulu-Natal is also noted for a high number of child-headed households, partly due to the prevalence of HIV and Aids.

In addition to our responsibilities, there is the demand for aid in terms of homes for orphans. We therefore appeal, from a provincial level, that there should be constructive communication between national and provincial governments to fast-track housing delivery. Posterity will record and recognise the role played by the current legislators, and it will appreciate our real commitment and praise us for what we have done for generations to come. I thank you. [Applause.]

Njingalwazi J MAPHALALA (KwaZulu-Natal): Sihlalo ohloniphekile, kuyinjabulo futhi ukukhuluma namhlanje ngosuku lwase-Afrika olwenza ukuthi uma sibheka emuva sizizwe sibancane kakhulu uma sibona osekwenzekile. Okokuqala, mangisho ukuthi igama lokuthi abantu bakhelwe izindlu, igama mhlawumbe okudingeka lishintshwe kuthiwe abantu abakhelwe imizi khona izingqondo zethu nezingqondo zabantu zizokwazi ukuma esimweni ngoba ngokwakithi umuntu akakhelwa indlu. Uye asho athi, “Ngakha umuzi – nansi indlu yami”. Manje-ke sisuke sathatha indlela okungesiyo eyethu sathi abantu abakhlewe izindlu. Ngeke leyonto siyigcine. Umuntu wakhelwa umuzi bese-ke ehlonipheka engqondweni yakhe ukuthi wakhelwa umuzi, nanku nje. Okokuqala lokho Ngqongqoshe okubalulekile.

Kuliqiniso ukuthi kuningi osekwenziwe ukwakhela abantu bakithi izindlu kodwa-ke igama kufanele lishinstwe. Kuningi okufanele kushintshwe ikakhulukazi isakhiwo sezindlu akusiso esalapha e-Africa, isakhiwo sokufika. Esalapha e-Africa izindlu zesintu okuthiwa orondo. Mababe khona orondo noma ngingasho ukuthi yibo bodwa kodwa baxube. Singalahli konke okwakithi sithathe okokuhamba size sijwayele khona bese singazazi ukuthi thina singobani. Kubalulekile ukuthi kube khona ukuxuba ezakhiweni. Izazi zokwakha mazixube khona sizokwazi nathi ukuziqhenya.

Sikhuluma manje ngokuzalwa kwe-Afrika. Uma ngabe sithi i-Afrika ayizalwe sisho nje ngomlomo kungabonakali izimpawu, sizogcina singamalulwane. Makube khona ukuxuba ngoba ukuphela korondo ukuphela kwamathempeli akithi. Urondo lona yithempeli lakithi lapho sishisa khona impepho, sibasa khona futhi sibeke konke okwakithi. Ukuphela korondo kuyinto nje esuka lena emalokishini kwakhiwa izindlu ngoba kuqedwa yona inkolo yakithi.

Kubalulekile ukuthi singalubhekeli phansi udaba lokuphela korondo uma sihlaba ngoba sisahlaba. Baningi kakhulu abangesiwo amakholwa ngokwenkolo yasentshonalanga abafaka izimpondo zezimbuzi, bahlabe babuye bakhulume ekuhambeni kodwa lokho kwenzelwa korondo. Ngakho-ke makube khona ukuxuba impela kakhulu. Akusho ukuthi sikubukela phansi osekwenzekile. Kuyakhinyabeza kakhulu ukuthi kungabikhona. Okubaluleke kakhulu, Ngqongqoshe, esikubongayo okuvelile enkulumweni yakho imali lena eyizigi eziyi-185 zamaRandi ezinikezwe enhlanganweni i-Urban Poor Federation ukuze abantu bazakhele bona izindlu. Kubalulekile lokho.

Umuntu umuzi wakhe wayezakhela wona awuthande futhi awubheke ukuthi ube khona kodwa-ke uNgqongqoshe angalahli futhi ayekele abantu bakithi, balambile. Leyo mali izodliwa yizingwenya. Kuningi okwenzekile njengokubakhona kohlelo lwe-RDP kodwa imali yabantu yadliwa yizingwenya. Kufanele uma kuphuma imali ilandelelwe futhi ibhekwe ukuthi bayisebenza ngakho yini. Lowo oyikhiphile ababheke kuze kuyofika esentini lokugcina ukuthi bayayisebenzisa yini ngoba baningi abantu asebengamaqili.

Yinto ebaluleke kakhulu lena evela enkulumeni yakho ukuthi izigidi ezingaka zinikezwe abantu ukuze kuphume izindlu eziyi-5000 ezingakhiwa. Nokho kufanele abe khona obhekayo ukuthi zakhiwa ngempela yini futhi abantu babekwe esimweni ngoba uhulumeni uma engalamuli, ngeke kwenzeke lutho.

Kuke kwathiwa akukhulunywe ulimi lomdabu, kwaliwa eLimpopo abantu bengafuni ukuya olimini lwabo. Balwa kwasuka umsindo. Hhayi ukuthi kufundiswe ngalo, belwela nje ukuthi alufuneki nje ezinganeni zabo. Kwasuka umsindo kwathi abanye bacishe baboshwa. Ngakho uhulumeni kufanele alamule ukuze sibuyele kahle ezintweni zakithi zase-Afrika - ibuyile futhi izalwe kabusha. Ngiyabonga. [Ihlombe.] (Translation of isiZulu speech follows.)

[Prof J MAPHALALA (KwaZulu-Natal): Hon Chairperson, it is a pleasure for me today to speak on Africa Day, which makes us feel small if we look back at what we have achieved. Firstly, Minister, let me say that maybe the concept of saying we are building houses for people should be changed and referred to as building homes for people. In our African culture, you don’t build a house for a person. You normally say: “I built a home and this is my house.” We have adopted a culture that is not ours if we say we are building houses for people. We can’t sustain that. You build a home for a person and he is respected. That is the first thing, Minister.

It is true that a lot has been done in terms of building houses for the people. However, the concept must be changed. There are a lot of things that must be changed, particularly the structure, which is not African, it’s imported. The African structure is the traditional rondavel. We must have rondavels, and not only rondavels, but mixed styles. We must not forget our own things and adopt others’, then get used to it and end up forgetting who we are. It is important to have a mixture in construction. Construction experts should mix the type of houses so that we can also be proud of ourselves.

We are talking about the African Renaissance. When we talk about the rebirth of Africa, and we only talk about it, and there are no signs, we will end up being stupid, like bats. They must mix houses because the disappearance of rondavels is the destruction of our temples. The rondavel is the place where we burn impepho [incense], make fire and keep our traditional things. Its destruction is something that emanate from townships, where they build houses to destroy our culture. It is important not to overlook the issue of rondavels if we are still practicing slaughtering because we are still practising it. There are lot of people who are not Christians in the tradition of the Western culture. They hang up goat’s horns, slaughter animals and appease the ancestors. All that is done in rondavels. Therefore, houses must be mixed. We are not undermining what has been done. What is important, Minister, and we are grateful for that, is that in your speech you allocated R185 million to the Urban Poor Fund so that people can build houses themselves. That is very important.

A person used to build a house for himself, and take care of it. However, the Minister must not abandon people, they are hungry. The criminals will use that money. A lot has happened, like the RDP, but the money was used by criminals. If the funds are allocated, whether they are used properly must be monitored. The person who allocated the funds must monitor its usage down to the last cent, because there are a lot of crooks today.

What you said in your speech is very important, the allocation of millions of rands to people so that they can build the equivalent of 5 000 houses. However, we must have a person who is in charge and sees to it that houses are built and people are monitored, because if the government does not intervene, that won’t happen.

It was said that we must speak indigenous languages, but they fought in Limpopo; they don’t want to use their language. They don’t want indigenous languages to be used by their children. There was tension and some were nearly arrested. The government must intervene so that we will be able to go back to our African culture. Africa is back. Thank you. [Applause.]]

Ms N MOKONYANE (Gauteng): Hon Minister, members of the NCOP, distinguished guests, I would like to give a few responses to some of the issues that have been raised before I come to my response to the budget. These concern the issues that have been raised by the chairperson, in that provinces need to spend 100% or more.

I think provinces will strive towards spending 100% and nothing more, because in terms of the Public Finance Management Act we are not expected to spend more than we have. [Laughter.] We also understand that if you have a rand, you always make sure that you don’t dispose of that entire rand. You must leave a few cents so that your account can remain open. [Laughter.]

Therefore there has to be an appreciation that whilst we are given the money, we can’t - and it would be very incorrect and questionable - spend 100% of what has been allocated. We should strive towards making sure that we spend it on what it has been budgeted for.

I do agree with you, hon member Mzizi, on the issues facing hostels. I think the major challenges facing us with regard to the hostels are the subsidy policy for hostel upgrades and our being able to develop an integrated policy on affordable rental accommodation.

On the issue that has been raised by the member of the DA on the decline of the number of houses that have been built, I think there also has to be an appreciation that we have moved from the previous policies in terms of housing development to the inclusion of provision of security of tenure. Therefore, when you look at what has been spent in terms of the housing budget, you also need to look at what the housing budget has funded in terms of the installation of essential services, the servicing of sites and the transfer of land ownership.

In Gauteng one can indicate proudly that as we speak here today, over and above the top structures that have been built, we can also account for 120 000 serviced sites, having used the housing subsidy, precisely because we have come to realise that a one-size-fits-all approach will not assist us in dealing with the challenges of housing and the provision of shelter.

Hon Minister, it is an honour for me to be part of this debate in response to what you have presented to the House as the programme of delivery for government. This presentation and debate come after a long consultation between national, provincial and local government on how best to address the challenges of housing facing the nation based on a common approach. Since we subscribe to and believe in the principles of participatory democracy and a people-centred development approach, we always make it our business to engage with the masses so that our policies and strategies are a result of such meaningful engagements. Consequently, we have come to understand that the task of building sustainable and viable communities in this country requires a concerted effort by all sectors of our society.

In as much as it is the responsibility of government to create conducive conditions and implement programmes geared at improving people’s lives, it is equally important for the private capital sector to inject resources required to achieve our national goals. The striking reality is that our endeavours to push back the frontiers of poverty and radically decrease the rate of unemployment will not be adequately attained if all the critical components of our economy are not in sync with our national transformation agenda.

Needless to say, housing still remains one of the fundamental conditions that we need to satisfy in our quest for a better life for all. As a result, we as the Gauteng housing department have developed strategies and policies that attempt to promote, firstly, the building of sustainable communities through diversified housing typologies on well-located land; secondly, the provision of security of tenure through the eradication of informal settlements using the very housing subsidy; and, lastly, the provision of affordable rental accommodation, amongst other things the hostel renovation programme.

Being the smallest province geographically in South Africa, Gauteng remains the beacon of hope for many impoverished people in this country, if not across the continent. The population numbers in Gauteng have increased astronomically, from 7,3 million in 1996 to 8,8 million in 2001. It is estimated that 62% of this population earn less than R3 500 per month.

This situation presents a number of challenges and anomalies for the provincial government. On the housing front, we are faced with the challenge of an increase in informal households, which is currently estimated at 870 246 households. Basically, this means that the province has seen an increase in informal households from 24,98% in 1996 to 27,68% in 2001.

Such an increase has adverse ramifications for infrastructural development in Gauteng. Also, the majority of the people referred to are not necessarily people who prefer Gauteng as their home, but they are people who have come to Gauteng for various other reasons, and they have come from different provinces and from different parts of our continent.

The housing demand, as a result, has increased from 32,6% in 1996 to 35,3% in 2001. Compounding this situation is the fact that the migration of households to Gauteng is estimated at 25 500 per annum. This has an impact on the housing demand database, something that has always been referred to as a waiting list backlog which is estimated at 52 500 households per annum.

Considering this situation within this context, it transpires that the appropriation grant allocated to Gauteng needs to be realistically reviewed so that the challenges can be adequately addressed. It may be reflected as a whopping R1,7 billion, but this may not necessarily satisfy the targets to deal with the backlog and the needs. For instance, the current funding accommodates the delivery of 49 500 housing units annually. In terms of our projection, this will lead to an increased housing backlog of 765 000 units by 2020.

In conclusion, one of the other things that we need to appreciate is that Gauteng has not just depended on the allocation from national government. We have also created our own innovative ways of generating funds and promoting partnerships through the Gauteng Partnership Fund in terms of which we’re working together with the private sector and financial institutions.

We have also made the issue of housing development a key component of the Gauteng Growth and Development Strategy, and have considered innovative ideas, including the introduction of alternative technology in terms of housing development. Yes, if anything, we would have said that we needed more money so that we could deliver, but what we want to urge our people and beneficiaries in Gauteng to do is to give us an opportunity and let’s utilise what is at our disposal. Let’s make sure that this has a greater impact on housing delivery and on improving quality of life. By working together, let’s then move forward and seek additional resources as we improve our own capacity.

This is not a question of accreditation. It is not an issue of who must actually deliver, but it is about proper planning, better co-ordination, better partnerships, better communication and, more importantly, always conveying a message of hope and not a message of disgruntlement and discouragement because no one has done what we have with so few resources and the pressures that we have had. I thank you. [Applause.]

Mr F ADAMS: Hon Chairperson, Minister, MECs, members, officials, in his state of the nation address of 2006, our President, the hon Mr Thabo Mbeki, drew the nation’s attention to the hope that is abundant and growing in our country. I quote:

… that our people are firmly convinced that our country has entered its age of hope. They are convinced that we have created the conditions to achieve more rapid progress towards the realisation of their dreams. They are certain that we are indeed a winning nation. Today, as we debate the Housing Budget Vote, and from what we have heard from the Minister and the department, we can confirm that in our country we have seen a strong emergence of hope; a hope made ever more heroic given the great battles we fight on a daily basis against our inheritance from the past divisions and alienation that persist into the present. Out of all this, the heroes of hope are those who steadfastly consolidated in the 1956 Women’s March in Pretoria.

The role of women was a central player of our liberation, which also helped finally to place the task of the emancipation of women as one of the central tasks of the national democratic revolution. [Interjections.]

HON MEMBERS: Amandla! [Power!

Mr F ADAMS: The heroes of hope are those who formally adopted the Freedom Charter at the 1956 national conference of the ANC, finalising the process of providing a truly mass base for the popular acceptance of the Charter. Those heroes, at the Soweto uprising 30 years ago, entrenched their role, as the youth, to be one of the motive forces of the national democratic revolution and made it inevitable that this revolution should define youth empowerment and development as one of its fundamental tasks.

It is therefore correct that the best way to celebrate and commemorate the struggles of our women and youth is to prioritise delivery to them. Thank you to you, Minister, and your department for doing this.

Section 26 of the SA Constitution states that: “Everyone has the right to have access to adequate housing”, hon Krumbock, and “The state must take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to achieve the progressive realisation of this right.”

As the achievements of this department have been highlighted today by the hon Minister in her Budget Vote speech, we clearly witnessed the progress this democratic ANC-led government has made in the realisation of its obligations, coupled with the magnitude and likely continuing increase in the housing backlog. As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of our Constitution, let us be motivated by the fact that South Africa, as a democratic country, is a government based on the will of all the people and has a Constitution which is among the best in the world, as well as being a caring government with housing programmes for the poorest of the poor.

It is clear that the principles underlying the ANC’s housing policy, namely that housing is a right, housing should contribute to social equity, and housing is a critical component of development, community control over and participation in the housing delivery process is of the utmost importance in reaching our targets in delivering housing to the people.

The ANC housing policy is more than the delivery of a product; it is a process that contributes to the cultural, economic and social developments of the entire society and is therefore part of our strategy to improve people’s total living conditions.

The ANC recognises that housing is a significant part of our economic development strategy, and that the resources devoted to the provision of housing will have to be consistent with the need to maintain macroeconomic balances. Housing investment is implemented in such a way that it promotes labour-based delivery in the context of acceptable labour practices, and improves the capacity of small and medium-sized builders in the delivery of houses.

I believe that the provision of housing is taking place within a total developmental framework, which will facilitate the restructuring of the apartheid cities, townships, towns and rural areas. It is clear that the housing strategy is based on sustainability in the short, and medium to long term. This does not mean that we do not have challenges. This government knows that grinding poverty defines the lives of many of us, as evidenced in the sprawling informal settlements.

This government knows that mothers are desperate to find an end to tik and other drugs that have transformed their families and homes in front of their eyes. No one knows more about the impact of trauma in our communities resulting from alcohol and manifesting itself in acts of violence inside and outside the household. Minister, on the Cape Flats druglords are taking control of RDP houses to further enhance the sale of their drugs. We need to stop that.

The age of hope provides us with the best opportunity in South Africa to make a decisive shift towards prosperity. Every lesson we have learned in our first decade of freedom has placed us on the threshold of prosperity. We have learned crucial lessons about how to reverse the legacies of the past and to navigate a sustainable pathway to a prosperous future in the intensely interconnected world of the 21st century. The people of the country have learned to trust the ANC to run this country with its modern economy, also to deepen a culture of democracy and human rights, as well as how the machinery of the state can begin to serve the majority without bankrupting the fiscus or isolating the economy.

Earlier in the week the hon leader of the DA went on a campaign trail, promising people a lot of things. Firstly, he said that the housing waiting list must be a consolidated one, but who came up with the initiative? It was the hon Minister and her department, not the DA. It is misleading the people, saying here that a consolidated housing waiting list must be formed. [Applause.] [Interjections.] If you read the policy documents of the ANC; I think we must provide the hon Krumbock with them and one day just tie him up in a room and let hi m study the policy documents of the ANC. I think we will provide him with coke, and some biscuits too, so that he can listen and learn. [Interjections.]

The battle plan against poverty and underdevelopment must be safe, healthy, integrated communities, and the facilitation of strong civic rights. We must similarly trust in the ability of the Constitution to carve out a home for all South Africans. You do not have to be white and you do not have to be black; you must simply be what God has ordained you to be.

The hon Leon, again, on his journey … op sy reistog op soek na stemme sê hy dat 70% van die “Gateway” vir plakkers is – vir Joe Slovo – en 30% vir “back yard dwellers”. Wat gebeur? Is die man nie besig om rassehaat aan te wakker? Is die man nie besig om rassespanning aan te wakker, terwyl die ANC sê dit moet stop nie? Die ANC sê: “You don’t have to be black, you don’t have to be white; we will provide housing for everybody.” Wat maak die DA? Hulle kom net aan die bewind, Minister, dan sny hulle mense se water af, asook krag. [Tussenwerpsels.] Hulle het net aan die bewind gekom.

Wat is volgende, Minister? Dit gaan weer soos in 2000 gebeur, Minister. Hier sê ‘n vrou, en ek haal aan: “Die DA weet hoe Tafelsig in 2000 gebrand het. Dink hulle die mense daar buite is dom? Nee, glad nie. They are liberated. Glad nie dom nie.” [Interjections.] [Applous.]

Wat volgende gaan gebeur, Minister, is dat hulle weer ons mense gaan uitsit. Volgende gaan hulle weer hardloop om ons mense uit te sit. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)

[… on his journey in search of votes he said that 70% of the “Gateway” was for squatters – for Joe Slovo – and 30% for “back yard dwellers”. What is happening? Is the man not inciting racial hatred? Is the man not inciting racial tension, while the ANC says that it has to stop? The ANC says: “You don’t have to be black, you don’t have to be white, we will provide housing for everybody.” What does the DA do? As soon as they come into power, Minister, they cut of people’s water and electricity. [Interjections.] As soon as they came into power.

What is next, Minister? It will be the same as in 2000, Minister. A woman says here, and I quote: “The DA knows how Tafelsig burnt in 2000. Do they think that the people out there are stupid? No, not at all. They are liberated. Not stupid at all.” [Interjections.] [Applause.]

What is going to happen next, Minister, is that they are going to evict our people. Next they are going to run yet again to evict our people.] I want to conclude. Successive generations of ANC leaders have laid down their lives for this principle, which is the cornerstone of our Constitution. I thank you. [Applause.]

The MINISTER OF HOUSING: I just want to respond very briefly to some of the concerns that were raised by members here because I think some of them are quite valid.

The hon madam chair raised her concern about the co-ordination of the value chain that is involved in housing and is concerned that we should correct this and consolidate it so that the subsidy is used for the correct purposes. I want to assure her that we are dealing with this. We have started the process and at the next Minmec we will conclude this process. We are just as concerned as you are.

I just want to understand from the perspective of the NCOP what the underlying principles are around which we participate in these debates. Faced with the huge challenge that we are faced with, I cannot understand why every year the hon Krumbock is concerned with issues which, in my view, pertain to his personal circumstances. It is about the NHBRC and developers. Is it possible that he is a developer? I do not know. And, is this a forum to which people are allowed to bring their personal problems? I think there is something extremely unethical about this and I would like you to please rule against it and in future I would like to ask the Chair to please ensure that this debate is about real issues that face our people, which is the urgent housing need. [Applause.]

On the issue that has been raised by the hon MEC of the Northern Cape - he has very eloquently outlined it and it has also very eloquently been outlined by the MEC from Gauteng - just what it is that we do with the money that we are given, because I am hearing this refrain from the DA that we are getting more money to do less. I just want to say to you, that what … [Interjections.] - Krumbock again – the hon member from Gauteng has outlined exactly what we are doing. We are not only building houses, but we are also supplying basic services in line with our programme as we build houses, and we are using the subsidy for that.

In addition to that, we are also using the subsidy to unblock some of the projects as the MEC from the Northern Cape has indicated; unblocking projects that have been blocked which we had found historically blocked. These are some of the things that we were doing, but in addition - this is very important, and I want hon Krumbock to understand this - we have developed a new way of counting the houses that we are dealing with.

In the past we used to count the houses that were complete or were in the process of being completed as completed houses. Now we have a clear distinction; we count the houses that are complete at the time we report to you and the houses that are in the process of completion. Let me give you the total over the last four to five years. In 2002-2003 we had completed 203 000 houses and in 2003-04 there was a dip, it was 193 000 houses. But we have completed 252 833 houses to date. Never before have we notched a number as high as this. [Applause.]

Now, I do not know where the DA goes to learn its mathematics, but it is plain, simple arithmetic. We are giving more, doing more with the more money. But, also very importantly, I would like you to understand that there is another concept - we are getting more for better quality as well. This is what we are doing with the money that we get. Now please go out and spread the message as it is, not the kind of convoluted logic that you bring here.

I want again to urge Comrade Tau that I think you need to hold a workshop so that hon members here who belong to the DA are actually in line with what we are doing so that we do not waste too much of our time – I have already wasted five minutes – dealing with something that is completely irrelevant. If there were workshops, they would understand what we were dealing with. [Laughter.]

I want to say to bab’uMzizi – I could not have said it better myself: “Singakusola konke emhlabeni kodwa hhayi indawo lapho sizobeka khona ikhanda.” [“You can go without many things, but you can’t go without shelter.”]

I do not know how we can encapsulate this in some of the messages that we are sending out. Thank you very much for this. I am also very glad that you are now saying to me that the people who are in the hostels have begun to change their mind about bringing their women home.

Ngiyathokoza bab’ uMzizi ngoba nami ngingumama nje ngingathanda ukuthi omama bahlale nobaba ezindlini zabo. [I am happy, Mr Mzizi, because I, as a woman, would like to see women staying in houses with their husbands.]

If only we can bring you on board so that we send this message out for we do not want to live in a situation where we have fragmented families because we would be creating another problem. But if we can take you on board to send this message, we are only doing it in the interest of the national good. Thank you very much for your support and I am certain we can bring you on board to deal with this thing.

Baba uMzizi, ukuhamba konwabu [moving at a chameleon’s speed], … is not the kind of language that I thought is associated with this regime. Now that you have said that to us, we are going to show you that in fact we are walking at a rabbit’s speed. [Laughter.]

On the issue of shoddy workmanship that has been raised here by several speakers, please be assured that we are just as concerned as you are about this and we are doing something about it. In future, baba uMzizi, you will be able to stand here and mention the name of a culprit in public because by that time we shall have blacklisted him. We are doing something to ensure that we deal with this matter. I do know that this was raised by a number of people here.

I have also taken note of the advice on how we can do things better and faster, which was said by the special representative from KwaZulu-Natal, baba uMagwaza and hon Hendrickse. I am glad too that two of my MECs are here and they have taken this advice. I am sure that in the next Minmec we will take this on board.

With regard to the Aids orphans’ homes, hon member, we are considering this. It is becoming a huge problem. We have to consider this against the backdrop of the fact that we as Africans are uncomfortable with the concept of orphanages and now we are faced with a problem and we have to take a decision. At the next Minmec we will be dealing with this matter. Thank you for bringing it to our attention.

Baba uMaphalala, I welcome your input on the designs of houses, not because of izimpondo zegusha [sheep’s horns] but because it is a real problem, especially in the rural areas. If we go to the rural areas and build the kinds of houses that we have in the urban areas, then we are destroying the aesthetics of the rural areas.

What we have just done now is complete a very exciting project with the NHBRC in Gauteng, where we had a competition on innovation technologies. The competition was a success and we hope that it will continue, but perhaps the next phase would be on innovative designs, when perhaps we can go back and see how we could build rondavels in the rural areas. Perhaps we can do away with izimpondo [the horns] because I am not sure that they will be part of the design acceptable in housing, hon magwaza.

Finally, Chairperson, please allow me in the two minutes that is left to introduce to the NCOP my new director-general, who is very well-known to you, Benny Kotsoane, who is sitting over there, and my MEC for safety and security. [Applause.] He is feeling so much at home that he has wandered off. He was almost seated right in front of you, Chairperson, and he had to be ushered back to where he is right now.

Also allow me to introduce my ``girlchild come to work’’ who has been here for two successive days, Sindile Thabethe from UCT. She hopes one day to be sitting where MEC Mokonyane is sitting right now. That is her ambition in life.

Allow me to welcome Yusuf Abramjee of 702, an invaluable ally of ours in Housing, who together with myself and the Gauteng department has launched a project in Cosmo City to build 702 houses by December this year.

Members stand invited to the occasion where we will be handing over these houses dead on time in December. Will the 16th be an ideal date, Mrs Mokonyane? Yes. Members stand invited. On 16 December we will be handing over 702 houses. This brings me to a very important point that I want to make before I sit down. I convey my gratitude to the members of the select committee that, if 702 can go out and build 702 houses, we here who are concerned about the plight of our people daily, we can do better.

I would like, through you, Madam Chair, to challenge the NCOP to come out with us and build houses so that we can turn some of the advice that we have into concrete reality. Thank you very much. [Applause.]

Debate concluded.

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mrs M N Oliphant): Thank you, hon Minister, for sharing with us such important information. I also want to thank the two MECs that are present here and also the representative of the MEC for the Western Cape. I really do appreciate that, because you have shown that at least you understand the intergovernmental relations and its importance and I hope you will also discuss that and encourage your colleagues also to take part in these debates. I want to thank our special guests in the gallery and the special delegates from various provinces.

The Council adjourned at 16:13. ____

            ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces

1. Membership of Committees

 1. Ms B A Hogan has been elected as Chairperson of the Standing
    Committee on Auditor-General with effect from 24 May 2006.


 2. Mr V G Smith has been elected as Chairperson of the Ad Hoc
    Committee on Appointment of Auditor-General with effect from 24 May
    2006.

TABLINGS

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces

1. The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Development

 (a)    A report in terms of section 9(5)(b) of the Magistrates’ Courts
 Act, 1944 (Act No 32 of 1944), a list containing information with
 regard to vacancies in the offices of magistrates which have remained
 unfilled for a continuous period exceeding three months as on 31 March
 2006.


    a) (b)   Proclamation No R67 published in Government Gazette No
       28282 dated 29 November 2006: Commencement of sections 40 and
       62(6) of the Regulation of Interception of Communications and
       Provision of Communication-related Information Act, 2002 (Act No
       70 of 2002): Amendment of Proclamation.

1. The Minister of Science and Technology

 (a)    The Corporate Strategy of the Department of Science and
    Technology for (2006/7) 2005/6 to 2008/9.

1. The Minister of Home Affairs

 (a)    Report and Financial Statements of Vote 4 – Department of Home
     Affairs for 2004-2005, including the Report of the Auditor-General
     on the Financial Statements for 2004-2005 [RP 53-2006].

COMMITTEE REPORTS

National Council of Provinces

1. Report of the Select Committee on Education and Recreation on United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Convention Against Doping in Sport, dated 24 May 2006:

   The Select Committee on Education and Recreation, having considered the request for approval by Parliament of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Convention Against Doping in Sport, referred to it, recommends that the Council, in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution, approve the said Convention.

Report to be considered.