Province grapples with growing housing demand as some projects face delays
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements is facing ongoing challenges in addressing the growing number of informal settlements in the province, according to MEC Siboniso Duma. Speaking during a debate at the National Council of Provinces on Wednesday, Duma revealed that 75% of the province’s informal settlements are located in eThekwini, with the government continuing to work toward finding solutions.
Duma acknowledged that some housing projects in the region have struggled to progress in recent years. However, he also emphasized the department’s efforts to overcome these setbacks. "Over the past six years, we have built 57,969 homes," Duma said, highlighting significant strides made despite challenges.
The MEC also provided an update on the R168 million Melmoth housing project, which had experienced delays but is now moving forward. He underscored the department’s commitment to unblocking stalled projects, pointing to the eThembeni and Mbulwane developments as examples of successfully resumed efforts.
"These projects have faced specific challenges, but with the intervention of this government, they are now back on track," Duma stated. He acknowledged that the department has not shied away from the realities of stalled or disrupted projects, emphasizing the unique obstacles each initiative faces.
In a related update, Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane recently confirmed that work had resumed on 15 previously halted projects in KwaZulu-Natal, signaling a positive shift in the province's housing development efforts.