Housing is a fundamental right.
Image: Breno Assis/UnSplash
As South Africa commemorated Human Rights Day last week, experts highlighted that budget cuts are significantly delaying the delivery of housing, which is regarded as a constitutional right.
“Our department has not been spared from the budget cuts," said Tsekiso Machike, spokesperson for the Minister of Human Settlements (DHS), Thembi Simelane. "We have had no choice but to do more with less. We continue to advocate for public-private partnerships to accelerate housing delivery and address the spatial planning issues that date back to before 1994.”
Machike also pointed out that another factor contributing to the delays is the abandonment of projects by implementing agents, or contractors. “We have prioritised unblocking stalled projects, and progress is being made as several projects have been revitalised,” he added.
Land invasions remain a significant challenge to housing delivery. “When informal settlements are established, they compel the government to provide basic services, diverting already limited resources towards essential human rights services such as water and sanitation,” Machike explained.
With over 30 years of democracy, the DHS claims to have effectively responded to the housing needs of previously disenfranchised communities, working to reverse the legacy of apartheid. Millions of housing opportunities have been created to provide decent shelter for qualifying beneficiaries.
Machike acknowledged the numerous challenges faced by the department but affirmed their commitment to overcoming them. He noted that climate change and natural disasters further complicate efforts to provide adequate housing.
“By collaborating with all levels of government and other departments, we are dedicated to finding permanent solutions for those displaced by disasters,” he stated.
Access to strategic land for permanent settlements remains a challenge. “Through public works and state-owned institutions, we are identifying and assembling land parcels that will bring people closer to work and economic opportunities,” Machike said.
The DHS acknowledges that access to affordable housing is a pressing issue and emphasises that the government cannot tackle it alone.
“This is why we continue to encourage the private sector to partner with us. Several programmes are being implemented, including First Home Finance and social housing initiatives. Recently, Minister Simelane handed over one of the largest social housing projects in Midrand, which has improved access to affordable and decent shelter near economic opportunities,” Machike added.
JP Viljoen, head of Home Ownership at Nedbank, commented on the significant affordability pressures facing the South African housing market due to elevated interest rates, high living costs, and constrained economic growth.
“While recent rate cuts have begun to ease the financial burden on consumers, home loan affordability remains a challenge for many South Africans, particularly first-time buyers and middle-income households.
"A lower interest rate environment would directly reduce bond repayments, improving accessibility to home ownership and stimulating increased activity in the property market. Furthermore, a more accommodative stance would enhance business confidence in the real estate sector, encouraging new developments and investments that contribute to economic growth and job creation,” Viljoen said.
Ayanda Seboni, executive Mutuality and PPS Foundation, highlighted that the challenges surrounding student accommodation are multifaceted and extend beyond the immediate issue of housing availability.
“At its core, the crisis reflects a deeper infrastructure problem; South Africa’s universities simply do not have the capacity to accommodate the increasing number of students seeking higher education. Limited campus facilities mean that many students are forced to seek off-campus accommodation, often at exorbitant rental prices due to the lack of alternatives. This dynamic creates an ethical dilemma where landlords can exploit vulnerable students, charging rates that far exceed what is reasonable for student living,” Seboni explained.
She added that for students who secure accommodation, the high costs can create significant financial burdens, especially for those in the “missing middle” who do not qualify for government assistance yet are unable to afford the rising cost of living.
“The impact on their academic lives is profound, as financial stress and inadequate living conditions compromise their ability to focus on their studies, participate in academic activities, and maintain their mental and physical well-being.
The PPS Foundation attempts to mitigate these pressures by providing bursaries that cover essential needs like accommodation, meals, and textbooks, allowing bursary recipients to prioritise their education.”