Madam Chair, hon Minister, Deputy Minister, hon members, ladies and gentlemen, while listening to the hon Minister and the hon Sibande I had cold shivers. I thought, where did they get my speech from? They are plagiarising my speech. So, it's great to hear you saying such very positive things. Thank you very much. But, nevertheless, I shall proceed with my speech even if it concurs with yours.
Angisho ukuthi akekho olapha eNdlini namuhla ozokuphika ukuthi ibuhlungu inhliziyo uma sihamba sibona imijondolo nemikhukhu lapho abantu bethu beh lala khona. Angisho ukuthi kukhona ozophika lokho na. Akekho. (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[I do not think that there is anyone in this House who can deny that when we go around it is heartbreaking to see the shacks where our people live. I do not think there is anyone who can deny that. No one can.]
There is no one who can deny the shame of our society where people have to live in shacks that get flooded, that are crowded and that are totally unsuitable even as dog kennels.
The wonderful Constitution of our country - the best in the world, I am told - does not place the responsibility for providing housing solely at the door of the state. And it's tremendous to hear the Minister echoing those remarks.
In the first instance, this policy ignores the initiative of millions of people who are able, and indeed willing, to participate in the building of their own homes. It ignores the positive participation of homeowners who can create real homes and not just houses. It also underutilises and, in fact, discourages the participation of community-based organisations, nongovernmental organisations, and the private sector from contributing their initiatives, energy and resources to provide housing for the poor.
With the best will in the world and given the ever-increasing need for housing, it is not possible for this government or any government to provide the number of houses required. And we heard the Minister's projections in terms of the billions required as the years progress.
There has been a need for a paradigm shift in the policy. The government has - as it urgently needs to - accepted that the provision of housing is not solely its responsibility. Housing must not be seen as being just the provision of a rudimentary shelter. It must be seen as being part of a living environment which must include physical, social, and economic facets, all of which combine to make a house not just a house, but a home for a family.
The government, clearly, has responsibilities, no doubt about that. First and foremost, it must guarantee property rights and security of tenure. It must make ownership of property as easy as possible. The ownership of property must be extended to those who own none as quickly as possible.
Secondly, the government must put in place an urban planning system which will ensure a safe environment, a healthy environment and a pleasant environment. It must discourage the development of slums without stifling initiative and entrepreneurship. A standard Western style of urban planning cannot work in our developing society.
The government cannot escape its responsibility to subsidise basic housing for the poor and the marginalised. This it must of course do. But it must do this in such a way that these people are part of the community and are given opportunities to fulfil their potential. They must all become a part of the open-opportunity society.
The provision of basic services such as clean water, refuse removal and electricity are self-evident. However, good public transport and good roads are also required. These must be provided in the most cost-effective way possible.
What has happened is that the current housing developments have led to a high level of urban sprawl which, in turn, results in excessively high costs for the provision of basic services. It also makes the provision of efficient public transport almost impossible to achieve.
The subsidies paid to public transport get bigger and bigger and yet the services they provide are inadequate. What is needed are higher density standards and plot size restrictions on housing developments where state funds are used. High-density residential accommodation must be provided alongside major transportation routes.
The creation of public open spaces and other facilities is fundamental to building communities rather than housing blocks. In the rush to meet targets of housing numbers in low-cost housing estates, the need for community facilities has more often than not been ignored and such developments are sterile and unfriendly. Madam Chair, I shan't push your indulgence, but thank you so much for letting me speak. [Time expired.] [Applause.]