MINISTRY OF HOUSING

PRESS RELEASE, 28 SEPTEMBER 1995

HOUSING MINISTER RECEIVES INTERIM REPORT BY TASK TEAM INVESTIGATING HOUSING DELIVERY

The recently appointed task team gave its interim report to the Minister of Housing, Ms Sankie Mthembi-Nkondo.

The special task team was appointed in August to devise a short-term delivery strategy that would operate within the present government's housing programme. The team is expected to develop proposals for short-term intervention by the government.

The task team is operating under strict terms of reference requiring urgent short-term proposals to enhance delivery by removing obstacles. The task of the team will therefore not be to open a debate on current policy or review such policy. Whatever policy refinements may be identified, these shall be taken care of within the broader framework.

The short-term proposals are formulated within the present broad policy framework, but also takes note of possible obstacles to delivery in the current policy.

Having received the interim report, the Minister is satisfied that progress has been made in:

i) Identifying general constraints affecting progress on projects

ii) Identifying key and specific blockages in project delivery

iii) developing initial strategies to overcome constraints

The task team has been instructed to continue liaising with relevent stakeholder groupings on matters affecting delivery on the ground. The Provincial MEC's will be duly appraised by the Minister on progress made thus far.

Members of the Task Team are:

• Mr Moss Ngoasheng - Economic Advisor to Deputy President Thabo Mbeki
• Mr Billy Cobbett - Convenor of the team
• Mr Neville Karsen - Deputy Director General
• Mr Nkululeko Sowazi - Mortgage Indemnity fund CEO
• Ms Nonhlanhla Mjoli-Mncube - Housing Consultant
• Mr Lechesa Tsenoli - MP, Housing Standing Committee Member and former SANCO President
• Ms Joyce Kgoali - MP, Senator Committee Chair on Housing
• Mr Johan de Ridder - Consultant to the Minister of Housing and the Department of Housing
• Mr Titus Mafolo - Chair, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Housing.

It is essential to stress that representation is not a factor in putting the team together. When particular skills are required, the relevant individuals would either be invited to participate in the task team or to make specific representations on short-term solutions.

A draft report is expected within weeks. By that time it is expected that some of the task team's proposals will be ready for implementation.

All housing stakeholders are encouraged to join the government in making use of this opportunity to reaffirm the commitments made in Botshabelo to provide housing to the poor and most needy.

Inquiries: Neville Karsen Acting Director-General Department of Housing Tel: (012) 421-1345/342 Fax: (012) 341-8511/2