New government will continue to do well

While membership of the ANC may have dropped to much applause, it must be respectfully pointed out that many members have failed to renew their membership cards timeously, which may have expired. Applications are carefully examined and scrutinized in order to achieve suitable qualification for the database. Membership is not automatic on completing of an application form.

The government has done a lot to support the entry level of the housing market, but will the housing scramble continue? Demand continues to outstrip supply and the housing slump over the past eight years is only showing signs of a moderate revival.

Rapid urbanization and drift to the cities by rural people began with the removal of apartheid. Migration in search of jobs, a better life, shopping malls, bus stops, clinics and schools will continue to grow exponentially in line with urban sprawl with sustainability and guaranteed food security. What about public transport and the creation of massive transport nodes which encourage affordable, high density housing?

Government’s mandate to target houses for all by 2014 has fallen short by an estimated 2.5 million units. The main problem is the location of these homes, which must be at the edges of the Metro. Urban building land remains a huge obstacle, not least the reluctance by municipal and state authorities to release land for development.

Municipalities must stop reserving well located land for low income households. Securing environmentally approved land seem to remain stuck in bureaucracy. The backlog in housing and affordability will stabilize in a country with a vast land mass.

The young government has done well in a short period of 20 years, and will continue to do well during the next 20 years, provided that we all identify our birthright as Africans and recognize ourselves as a leading nation on the African continent.

RIGBY HEENAN (ANC liaison officer)

Umhlali