Issued by: SA Communication Service
PRESS STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING MS SANKIE D MTHEMBI NKONDO: 10 OCTOBER 1995
Minister of Housing, Ms Sankie D Mthembi Nkondo, visited India between 3-9 October 1995 at the invitation of the Indian Minister of State for Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation, Mr S S Ahluwalia.
The primary objective of the visit was for the Minister to become acquainted with the Indian Government's approach to housing in general and the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) of India's building centres in particular. This is in terms of HUDCO's offer of support to the Department of Housing following their visit to South Africa in March this year. A draft agreement on co-operation in the housing field between the two countries was also discussed within the context of the Indo-South Africa Joint Commission on Co-operation.
The two delegations exchanged ideas on the broad principles and content of the proposed "Draft agreement on co-operation in the field of housing in general and housing support in particular between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Republic of India". It was also agreed to refer the draft co-operation agreement to the respective governments for further consideration.
Agreement was reached on ways in which the experience and expertise of HUDCO and its associate institutions could add value to existing housing support initiatives and proposed housing support centres. It was further agreed that this support would need to take note of constitutional imperatives and the overall Government approach to housing in South Africa.
During the week long visit to India, Minister Mthembi Nkondo visited Bombay, New Delhi and Jaipur. She visited areas inhabited by homeless communities and had discussions with a variety of stakeholders involved in addressing the poor's housing needs. She also attended, as a guest of honour, a World Habitat Day function in New Delhi on 6 October and later briefed Southern African Development Community (SADV) Heads of Mission to India on the purpose of her visit. On substantive issues regarding housing support, the South African Housing Minister recorded her delegation's appreciation of HUDCO's achievements in the centres visited.
The two delegations regard the visit as fruitful. The two Ministers confirmed their commitment to ongoing contact and closer cooperation between their respective governments. They further indicated their support for the promotion of interaction with other stakeholders including NGO's, community based organisations and public sector corporate institutions. In this regard the involvement of HUDCO of India could be of particular relevance.
Inquiries: Directorate: Communications Department of Housing Tel.: (012) 421 1406 083 700 3143