Chairperson, I would like to thank the Chairperson of our standing committee for this question. I must preface my answer by indicating that the earlier debate was around International Democracy Day.
One of the most important cornerstones of a democracy, beyond political democracy, is economic democracy. It allows people to have a better quality of life.
One of the most important requirements for a better quality of life for people is a roof above their heads. We live in this House, but as we go home, we all need a roof above our heads.
The question is about the harmonisation of human settlements and housing in South Africa. It is a very broad question and it requires a very broad answer with some specifics.
First and foremost our strategy in terms of the harmonisation of human settlements and housing throughout South Africa is driven by a project that we have appropriately named, "Human Settlements 2030". What does it speak of? It says that a child born today will be 20 years old in 2030. A child who is five or 10 years old will be 25 or 30 years old, respectively. Therefore, it requires that we should provide housing for the future; and the future is our children.
All these people who will be living beyond us in 2030 will be requiring flats, apartments, homes, cottages, stand-alone houses and so on. I hope to be there as well. Our strategy of Human Settlements 2030 provides for the youth. That is why we are involving the youth in what we call the Youth Build. We are including women in the Women Build - women in construction. As of last week, we are including the war veterans in the Vets Build.
The question referred to the harmonisation in so far as the attraction of capital to the rural areas is concerned. We all know that it is very hard. Capital does not migrate to places that are depressed. It is for that reason that a statement was made in this House by the hon President and also taken forward by the Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, that R1 billion should be established as a guarantee fund to support those South Africans, who cannot gain access to home loans.
Capital will be attracted to the hinterland of the country if there are guarantees that people will repay the money. It is for that reason that we said in this House such a guarantee provides support for people who are in the police service, nurses, soldiers, blue-collar workers and teachers.
We saw most of those people demonstrating recently. That is how we will be able to utilise the public-private partnership, including financial institutions, as well as our guarantee fund to harmonise housing in South Africa. I thank you. [Applause.]