Issued by: Office of the President
SPEECH BY PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA DURING A VISIT TO THE HOMELESS PEOPLE'S FEDERATION PROJECT OUKASIE, 26 NOVEMBER 1995
Mr. Mayor; Members of the Homeless People's Federation, Citizens of Oukasie, Brits and neighbouring areas
The rains of the past week have brought joy to many in our country, not least in this fertile farming area.
But the drenching downpours have also highlighted one of the great challenges facing our country - the challenge of putting decent roofs over people's heads.
In approaching this task we have learned a great deal from the people - from those who are the biggest providers of housing in the country, the homeless themselves. We have learned the value of partnership between ourselves and the people in their communities.
We recognise the efforts but into housing by the people themselves. We are proud of the way our people use their initiative, mobilise their meagre resources, sharpen their skills, and put in their labour, in order to provide shelter for their families.
Government has committed itself to supporting the people's housing process. We will provide mechanisms and funds to support it in such a way that the standard of housing can improve - particularly for the poorest of our people.
What I have seen here today confirms that this is the right course. The Homeless People's Federation, with its 20 000 members across the country and its savings and training schemes, is setting an example of Masakhane in action.
What is particularly encouraging is to see the women taking their lives into their own hands, taking charge, determined to improve the lives of the communities and of our country.
You are showing that in building together we build each other, better communities and a better society for our children to grow up in. You are showing that with the support of government and the private sector it is the people who will transform this country.
The government's aid to the people's housing process will soon swing into full effect across the provinces. Starting in the new year, the first 27 housing support centres will be established, three in each province.
This kind of government support is something new in our country. Rather than coming into communities and telling them what to do. Government is listening to the people and looking at what we can do to assist their initiatives.
How productive that approach can be, we see here with the show-house built by the Federation. It is a most impressive building. Not just because it is spacious, and light, and airy. But because it shows what is possible within the limits of the government housing subsidy, if people are prepared to put in their own efforts.
This shows us that the people's housing process, the "self-build movement", can go a long way to providing the kind of accommodation people need.
But there has been a stumbling block in the way of the "self build movement" until now, and that is access to subsidies.
That problem has now been solved, The Minister of Housing has informed me, and I am very pleased to be able to tell you today, that it will be possible in future for people who want to build for themselves to have access to government subsidies.
These will be linked to the purchase of serviced sites, and the remainder of the subsidy after payment for the site will be made available for building purposes. Progress on construction will be checked by technical officials of the local authorities, so that we can all be sure that the subsidy money is indeed going to pay for improvements to people's housing.
Better housing can be at the core of a better life for our people. We have the mechanisms in place and we have some resources for a massive programme in our country. Most importantly, we have the drive and the initiative of the people, as I have witnessed here today.
So let us get on with the job. Let us redouble our efforts and tackle the task with renewed vigour.
Masakhane!
I thank you.