Housing delivery in the Western Cape province of South Africa: A comparative study of Langa and Mfuleni townships

Abstract

The South African housing policy in the 1950s until 1990s was shaped by the ideology of apartheid and the belief that the State should play a major role in the provision of social welfare including housing. Housing delivery was structured around State control of the production, allocation and administration of housing. The housing policy was not economically sustainable, had created living environments that did not suit the needs of the people, and had led to social problems. Housing is a long-term undertaking for our country and will take the government and the people of South Africa many years to deal with the backloc, not only because of the matter of financial resources, but also of technical skills and J ' ---J ' r'' materials. Secondly, the delivery process should be designed in such a way that it promotes a system that will ensure that as many people as possible have access to housing in order to promote what is called width or depth. The other problem associated with the housing delivery in South Africa is the problem of urbanization, which is increasing and between 2001 and 2025, urban population is expected to double, placing a huge strain on both resources and infrastructure. ln recognition of this the Minister of housing (Sankie Mthembu) reiterated the need for urban renewal and rural development as a complementary strategies and focus areas, as stated by the President Thabo Mbeki in his year 2OOO opening of Parliament speech. lf one understands the nature of housing.