The provision of integrated human settlements is a hybrid of planning and redressing skewed spatial planning that defines the country’s past. Mpumalanga Human Settlements MEC, Mr Speed Mashilo, made this statement as he tabled the inclusive Policy and Budget Vote Speech 2023/23 at the Provincial Legislature today. Since the 2019/20 financial year, the Department has realised 36 415 housing opportunities over the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF). The announced 15 mega human settlements projects shall enhance this number by yielding 54 884 sites in Priority Development Areas (PDAs).
These projects are already under implementation in Steve Tshwete, Msukaligwa, Govan Mbeki, Dipaliseng, Nkomazi, Bushbuckridge, Mkhondo, Chief Albert Luthuli, eMalahleni, and City of Mbombela Municipalities. In addition to this development, Mashilo announced that the Department had adopted an Informal Settlement Upgrading and Management Strategy for the Mpumalanga Province. “This strategy presents a coherent programmatic and systematic approach to the management and upgrading of the informal settlements in the province to Level 3”, said Mashilo.
Furthermore, Mashilo announced a massive drive to service sites/stands and drew the attention of municipalities to the challenges of bulk infrastructure. A total of “5 590 sites will be delivered throughout the province. Broken into regions, we will deliver 2 650 in Gert Sibande, 1840 in Nkangala and 1300 in Ehlanzeni through the IRDP and UISP programmes”, announced Mashilo. In tandem, the Department will deliver 3 085 government-subsidised housing units across the regions.
It is common knowledge that the effects of natural disasters has hit the province hard and as a result over 2 448 houses were damaged. To this end, ten (10) contractors are appointed and busy with repairs. Moreover, R58 million is set aside for constructing 192 Community Residential Units (CRUs). This caters to the rental stock and brings people closer to economic activities. For the massive rollout of social facilities, R80 million has been set aside to construct seven community halls and childcare centres in the province.
MEC Mashilo introduced the rebranded FLISP, now called the First Home Finance. “We have set aside R7 million for the realisation of 50 First Home Finance programme in the province”, said Mashilo. He expounded that “this will assist qualifying applicants by providing a once-off down payment to those who have secured mortgage finance to acquire a residential property for the first time”. To restore dignity and security of tenure, the department will register 4 054 and use R27 million to acquire well-located land. The planned target for eradication of mud houses this financial year is 229 from various villages. The Department has been allocated a budget of R1 648 billion for the 2023/24 financial year.
ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORATE
MPUMALANGA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS
CONTACT: FREDDY NGOBE – 013 766 6014 / 082 859 4630/ flngobe@mpg.gov.za