Statistics South Africa on Informal Settlements: briefing

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Meeting Summary

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Meeting report

HOUSING PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
18 August 2004
STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA ON INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS: BRIEFING

Chairperson
Ms Z Kota (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Statistics South Africa presentation
Draft Committee Programme

SUMMARY
Statistics South Africa briefed the Committee on what the 2001 National Census had revealed about the state of informal housing in the country. At that time, 16% of all households lived in an informal dwelling and 17% shared one room. The Committee was frustrated that they had not previous sight of the 2001 Census Concepts document before this discussion. Members were also most concerned that the data was too scanty and delivery seemed to be behind government targets. The Chairperson promised to convey to higher authorities that they required extensive information from the Department regarding the impact of government initiatives and legislation, particularly on subsidised housing delivery.
In other business, the Committee agreed to build the promised "house for a vulnerable woman" the following week.

MINUTES
The Chairperson reported that plans were far advanced for building one house for a vulnerable woman to commemorate Women's Month, as had been discussed at their previous meeting. The Committee was waiting to learn the identification of the beneficiary. Members agreed that the following week be set aside to build the house.

Statistics South Africa briefing
Ms T Daniel, the Information Officer, and Mr Walied Jacobs, a senior statistician, presented from Statistics South Africa. According to the 2001 National Census, there were 1 176 'informal settlements' in South Africa, with the KwaZulu-Natal having the largest number at 363. 16% of all households lived in an informal dwelling and 17% shared one room, with figures highest in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Furthermore, in that year, 38 943 houses sized 30-80 square metres were built. The figure increased to 50 812 in 2002 but dropped to 44 851 in 2003.

Discussion
Mr A Steyn (DA) asked why the 2001 Census Concepts document did not address the formal settlements.

Mr M Likotsi (PACA) said that Members should have been given the document to study before the presentation, to enable meaningful discussion.

Mr T Dodovu (ANC) asked whether there were any partnerships between Statistics South Africa and other institutions such as the Human Sciences Research Council.

Mr G Schneemann (ANC) said according to the 2001 Census Concepts, 41% of houses built had been paid off. He was of the opinion this figure excluded government subsidised housing, which would inflate the figures.

Ms T Daniel (Information Officer, Statistics South Africa) said the 2001 figures included government-subsidised housing. Statistics South Africa had created partnership but she could not comment further. The Department of Housing was responsible for data collection on government housing.

Mr T Dodovu (ANC) said the information was too scanty. He was concerned that the number of dwellings built in 2001 was only 38 943 000, less than the projected 200 000 for each year.

The Chairperson said the Committee required extensive information from the Department of Housing regarding the impact of government initiatives and legislation, particularly on subsidised housing. This information had been derived from data reported by local government institutions. She would convey Members' sentiments to higher authorities.

The meeting was adjourned.

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