CBA at the Human Settlements Indaba 2014

The Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu, MP, hosted the National Human Settlements Indaba and Exhibition on 16-17 October 2014 at Sandton Convention Centre.

The Clay Brick Association not only exhibited at the Indaba, but was also amongst the dignitaries and government officials that presented our product to an impressive selection of dignitaries. Our presentation showed the benefits of clay brick, and introduced the maxi and XL bricks being produced by members to speed up housing delivery while reducing costs. The speech was delivered by Vice President Musa Shangase.

Convening under the theme “towards the delivery of 1.5 million housing opportunities by 2019”, the Indaba reviewed the progress made in the implementation of the Breaking New Ground policy and the Social Contract for Rapid Housing Delivery. .

Minister of Human Settlements Commitments

The Minister gave an undertaking on what she would commit to. A short summary of this undertaking:

• Will involve Financial Institutions to allow access to finances for individuals to purchases houses.
• To deal with Departments so as to ensure access to land and to reduce bureaucratic issues stopping the access for land by individuals.
• Establish a dedicated unit to ensure that all payments are made on time. Should this unit under a Deputy Director General not perform, the result will be to find somebody who will perform the function properly.
• Establish an office of an Ombudsman to deal with issues related to complaints.
• To create forums to discuss issues that cause bottlenecks such as water supply and electricity. These forums will be held under the auspices of the MEC’s and will be held 4 times a year in Provinces.
• To use the Cuban model of the Youth Brigade to train young people to require skills to allow for them to partake in the economy.
• The issue of Title Deeds to be sped-up.

Minister Gordan, previous Minister of Finance was also present and he made it clear that corruption in Municipalities will be eradicated. He used the term of “brown envelopes” being used to convince people to produce.

The National Human Settlements Indaba was attended by different human settlements stakeholders which include mining sector, banking sector, NGOs, different associations in the construction industry and international guests such as Deputy Executive Director of UN Habitat, Dr Kirabo Kaycria and Slum Dwellers International President Mr Jockin Arputhan.

At the end of Indaba, the CBA joined other stakeholders in committing themselves to a social contract to accelerate delivery.