Minister Madikizela's Opening Remarks at the Inaugural Human Settlements Indaba

Western Cape Human Settlements Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela delivered some of the opening remarks at the inaugural Western Cape Government Human Settlements' Indaba at the Cape Town Lodge, Cape Town, on 14 November 2011. Over 100 different organisations from civil society and government were represented.

The indaba is a platform for the strategic direction of the department to be communicated to the participants, and the participants will be invited to give constructive input into how the department can more effectively deliver on its strategy. The indaba will also close communication gaps between the department and external stakeholders, allowing for the stakeholders to have a better informed understanding of the human settlements delivery process.

"This indaba is not just about us communicating to civil society, but about civil society also talking to government. Human Settlements is about local, provincial national government and civil society working together."

"For a long time, we have been building houses for people living far away from schools, job opportunities and hospitals. We must build human settlements where people have access to the services and amenities they need. Everyone must work together to build healthy human settlements."

"Because of the global financial crises, we will have to do more with less money. We have to spend more money providing basic services, and also unlock the gap market for people earning between R3 500 and R15 000 per month so that people who can pay for services contribute to the economy. Human Settlements is not just about building houses for free."

"Housing delivery has nothing to do with politics. In areas where service delivery is happening, that's where demonstrations happen. Demonstrations happen when people compete for limited resources. Politics and personal power struggles mustn't stop the government from doing its job and halting delivery. When we all share a common vision we can work together to deliver"

"We cannot create human settlements alone as the government. We need everyone's input to work together and, as partners, we can do things better together."