Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete: Human Settlements Dept Budget Vote 2022/23

• Published date: 10 May 2022
• Publication title: South African Official News

Chairperson, today marks exactly 28 years to the day that our first democratic President, Mr Rholihlahla Nelson Mandela was inaugurated. We are again reminded of how far we have come as a country, and how much has been achieved to change the lives of the people for the better. We gave South Africans hope, we dare not fail them.

Honourable members, whilst the COVID-19 pandemic continues to exist in our country and the world at large, our sector is still feeling the effects through continuous shortages of material supply. These shortages have resulted in price hikes as dictated by the principle of supply and demand.

In August last year, we welcomed the vibrant, energetic and highly action orientated Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi to the department. The Minister came with vast experience as she is coming from five portfolios namely; Communications, Energy, Science and Technology, Tourism and as Acting Minister of Health. We are already encouraged by what we have achieved during this short space of time.

The empowerment of women and youth is one of the department's critical areas. The country continues to battle high level of unemployment and patriarchal systems. The set asides

for women, youth and persons living with disabilities, is a way of ensuring that these groups are not left behind. I must say that we have been making some positive strides as the department in ensuring that the provinces and our entities take this seriously. We have done so by ensuring that the 2022/23 APP and Budget Plans have clear measurable targets.

As I said last year, NHBRC through its partnership with the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) enrolled and trained 120 Women Entrepreneurs. 107 completed the business development planning assessment in March 2022 and are currently undergoing a mentorship programme through GIBS. These Women have also had networking sessions with our Provincial Departments, the National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) and the Housing Development Agency (HDA), where presentations were done on construction related project opportunities and how to access funding.

Our country has a high number of destitute communities due to social ills. The department is inundated with requests to intervene in a number of destitute cases. We have urged the provinces to work closely with the municipalities and come up with consolidated lists per province. This will assist in ensuring that we have a holistic approach in prioritizing the cases.

We have started the process of...