“As of 30 September 2017, the department has delivered just over 4.6 million houses and subsidies, leaving us with a deficit of 1.4 million. With the mega projects beginning to roll out, I believe it is possible that, combined with the energy of the Portfolio and Select Committees, and a little bit more hard work from the provinces and the metros, we cannot fail,” Minister Sisulu said.

The Minister was speaking at the 11th Annual Govan Mbeki Awards ceremony held on Thursday evening at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg, where she was honouring men and women in the construction sector, municipalities and provinces, who have excelled in the delivery of houses.

The main purpose of the awards is to encourage and re-enforce a culture of excellence within the housing sector in the delivery of integrated human settlements.

According to the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) report, housing delivery has gone up by 131% percent since 1996.

“We have built 1 029 houses per day [and] if we multiply that with an average family consisting of five people, we have provided shelter to 5 145 people per day. For every shack built since 1994, we have built 10 houses. These are facts that every South African should know,” the Minister said.