It has been just over a year since the signing of an implementation protocol (IP) between the HDA and the Northern Cape province.
The HDA office in the Northern Cape has since managed to overcome many teething problems, and work is now gaining momentum. It has been assisting the province and municipalities to develop a pipeline of human settlements projects, through regular engagements and consultation.
The HDA Northern Cape office and the planning unit of the Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs undertook district roadshows during May and June this year. The team travelled to Namakwa, Kuruman, Upington, Springbok and De Aar.
The roadshows targeted senior municipal officials who are responsible for housing, integrated development planning, infrastructure and town planning. They were organised per district in an effort to consult, keep track of developments and understand the needs of municipalities, coupled with improving integrated human settlements delivery.
The HDA gave various presentations covering our services, i.e. informal settlements upgrading support, programme planning and project pipeline support work, land assembly and management, land geo-spatial services and project implementation support.
Some of the challenges that municipalities highlighted during the roadshows included challenges with synchronising integrated development plans (IDPs), government funding, especially the municipal infrastructure grant (MIG), and also a general lack of co-ordination and alignment with other sector departments.
One of the more useful recommendations arising from the roadshows was the need to convene a land summit, to discuss the land challenges experienced in the province.
“There is clearly a need to establish a Provincial Human Settlements Forum for municipalities in the Northern Cape province, in order to share information and provide guidance and support on an ongoing basis,” said HDA Northern Cape manager Letta Kgomongwe.
