Thank you, Chairperson. The new turnaround strategy of the department becomes a tool to achieve the goal of delivery of Outcome 8.
The budget allocation to Human Settlements has increased significantly since 1994, but this has not resulted in increased delivery. If anything, the backlog remains and keeps rising annually, from 1,5 million in 1996 to 2,1 million in 2011. The problem is compounded by continued migration to cities and by population growth. This adds to the demand for housing and housing subsidies. With costs increasing every year, this demands higher subsidies if government is to deliver on its promises. Thus the policy of providing fully subsidised housing is proving unsustainable.
The realisation by the department that the previous mandate of merely providing houses to the poor was narrow and that there is a need to expand the mandate to meet the demands of integrated and sustainable human settlements is very welcome. To meet the expanded mandate, intergovernmental and interdepartmental co-ordination must not only be strengthened but must be perfected.
Cope notes and accepts the increase in the travel budget for the department, as it is aimed at enabling officials to travel to provinces to effect the implementation of programmes and the maintenance of standards.
We support the rectification programme for the RDP settlements, although it is somewhat wasteful. However, we cannot be optimistic of a 100% achievement. Do we know how many houses must be rectified? Do we know their location and the time frames for completion of the process? The upgrading of informal settlements is a necessity and the opportunity should be used to improve skills development among the dwellers and to encourage self- build in future.
Delivery of the sanitation programme in the rural areas must improve, both in quantity and quality. The department must promote the Rural Household Loan Fund more aggressively so as to reach all who qualify.
The department should intensify the campaign to encourage investment in human settlements by the private sector, both big and small companies. There are skills among some small companies owned by individuals from previously disadvantaged communities. Mrs Matolengwe of Khayelitsha, who won a UN award for her housing project using government housing subsidies, comes to mind. And so does Mr Mpahlwa, for his housing innovation in Mitchells Plain. Also, right on your doorstep, hon Minister, the returned exiles involved in the construction of the ANC village in Dakawa in Tanzania are also very skilled. There are many more. Let us find them and make good use of them, so that they can participate in the achievements of Outcome 8, to which the department contributes. [Applause.]