Institute for Housing SA: briefing

Meeting report

HOUSING PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
2 August 2005
INSTITUTE FOR HOUSING SA: BRIEFING

Chairperson: Ms Z Kota (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Institute for Housing South Africa presentation
Committee Report on its Western Cape visit (available shortly at Committee Reports)
Third Term Committee Programme

SUMMARY
The Committee was briefed by the Institute for Housing South Africa (IHSA) on its role. The presentation clarified the recent formalisation of the relationship between the Department and the IHSA, and highlighted the need for further funding. Its future plans involving the creation of a professional body for housing experts.

The Committee adopted the minutes of their 1 June 2005 meeting with minor alterations, as well as its Third Term Programme.

MINUTES

Committee Planning
After the Committee adopted the minutes of its 1 June 2005 meeting with minor technical amendments, they reviewed the Third Term Programme. Ms Z Kota (ANC) requested that a woman’s workshop be included. Mr A Steyn (DA) suggested that the Committee identify a woman’s housing project in order to obtain on-site data. Ms B Dambuza (ANC) further requested the inclusion of the Cuban trip into the programme. These suggestions were agreed to.

Institute for Housing SA briefing
Mr A Luruli (IHSA President) outlined its roles, including the contribution to housing policy debates and formulation, information dissemination, recognition of excellence and lobbying. The relationship between the IHSA and the Minister had been formalised in April 2005. Their work would be expanded to the provinces at a later date. Examples of co-operation with the Minister and the IHSA included co-ordinating inputs from material suppliers, establishing task teams to work on proposals, co-ordinating Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) groups in the sector, and commenting on the Women’s Quarter Allocation in housing. The recent quota of 15% for housing delivery to female contractors was not being met and the IHSA would investigate backlogs. The presentation emphasised the IHSA’s role as a public-private facilitator through organising workshops, co-ordinating community inputs and interacting closely with the Department.

Discussion
Ms Z Kota (ANC) asked how Mr Luruli balanced his time as a municipal manager and the President of IHSA. She further asked about the positive/negative factors impacting the IHSA. Mr A Luruli responded that his municipality in Limpopo had had transparent audit reports for the last five years and that this indicated that he had been able to balance his duties. The lack of funding negatively hampered IHSA activities and past sponsorships had expired.

Mr T Dodovu (ANC) asked how the IHSA measured performance for its Annual Awards, and if the IHSA conducted its own research. Mr T Mthethwa (IHSA Acting Executive Director) responded that the IHSA could not physically send out representatives to assess candidates and that they had to rely on informal networks with other organisations to obtain information. Candidates would have to do something out of the ordinary to receive the IHSA awards. The IHSA could not carry out its own research as it did not have the funds to employ professionals.

Mr A Steyn (DA) asked who was eligible for membership and requested further examples of working relationships with government. Mr T Mthethwa replied that anyone interested in housing issues was eligible for membership and that no formal qualifications were needed. Mr T Mthethwa said that the IHSA was seeking to become a professional body with membership fees and entrance exams. This would secure an alternative source of funding. As 2005 was the first year of formal relationships with the Department, there were no substantial close working ties at present.

Mr M Sonto (ANC) asked why the IHSA would have a long lifespan. He further asked how the municipal councils benefitted from the IHSA, and inquired about the size of the IHSA board. Mr T Mthethwa replied that the goal of becoming a professional body would mean that housing experts would join the body. This would generate membership fees, ensure appropriate behaviour through the Code of Conduct, and regulate so that it could become sustainable.

Mr A Luruli said that interacting with the IHSA allowed the municipalities to engage in policy debates at provincial level. Currently there were municipality memberships in seven provinces. Mr T Mthethwa added that the Board consisted of twelve members (four women, eight men).

Mr A Steyn (DA) asked if the IHSA produced an Annual Report and if there were newsletters circulated to members. Mr A Luruli replied that an Annual Report was presented at its AGM and a newsletter was circulated.

Ms B Dambuza (ANC) asked how the IHSA co-ordinated community workshops and queried how deliverables ‘filtered down’. Mr A Luruli responded that there was filtering down from the provincial meetings to municipalities that shared information, but there was little direct communication with the general public.

Ms Z Kota (ANC) queried ethical issues for the IHSA. She further asked where the IHSA was physically located. Mr T Mthethwa responded that once the professional body was established, they would look more closely at ethical issues. The IHSA was based in Auckland Park in central Johannesburg.

The meeting was adjourned.