Summit to tackle Ekurhuleni housing delivery

Ekurhuleni Mayor Mondli Gungubele has admitted that the council has performed poorly with regard to housing and only delivered 998 rental units in the past 20 years. Image: Ekasi News

The housing summit is being hosted by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and is expected to provide all housing stakeholders with an opportunity to actively participate and provide input on the human settlements programme, strategies and implementation plans

It will also clearly articulate the position and priority placed on human settlements in the City's overall operations, including the city's institutional capacity to manage the development of sustainable housing.

Ekurhuleni Mayor Mondli Gungubele acknowledged that there is a huge housing backlog with about 240,000 residents living in backyards while those who are registered with the housing department are still on the waiting list for homes.

"In Ekurhuleni, over the past 10 years, we have allocated no more than 2,000 houses for people on the waiting list, while we have provided almost 97,000 residents living in informal settlements with access to housing.

Only 998 rental units provided in 20 years

"In addition, we have not been successful providing housing opportunities for families wanting to rent. In the past 20 years, our rental housing company has delivered only 998 rental units," Gungubele said.

He also reiterated that the municipal mandate is broad and its plans include measures to improve access to affordable and quality housing for all people regardless of their salary bracket.

"We have ambitious plans for improving our township economies through the revitalisation programme as well as the re-industrialisation of Ekurhuleni. If you live in Ekurhuleni, you can have a job, transport and an opportunity to earn a sustainable living," Gungubele claimed.

About 89,000 houses have been built in the municipal area with 127,000 stands being serviced.

The municipality plans to redevelop the townships of Tembisa, Kathorus, Kwatsaduza, Wattville, Actonville and Daveyton and Etwatwa.

Community member Sipho Vanga from Thinasonke area said he was pleased that the municipality acknowledged that energy, water and sanitation were core service delivery issues. However, he urged the municipality to implement it plans instead of talking about them.

"It's beautiful what is being said, but they need to implement what they are saying. I would advise the Department of Human Settlements and other departments to consider working with the community on the ground," said Vanga.