Good day and welcome to our first ever Facebook Live event. It’s an exciting day for us as the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements, as we’re making technological history.
Since taking office at the end of May 2019, I adopted a radical approach in how we deal with human settlements, as it’s important to me that our residents are fully aware of the fact that we are delivering for them.
As an expression of this, four key drivers have been identified. They are the:
Through our radical innovative approach that we have adopted, we want to ensure a significant push towards getting our people into houses, and also towards giving people ownership through Title Deeds. This is vital, as in both instances, we are creating a better life for our people, while also restoring the dignity of our residents, given our past injustices.
As a firm believer in using technology optimally, particularly for the advancement of our people, I requested that an App be developed. This is to ensure our citizens can easily access information on government housing assistance, register for the first time or update their details on the Housing Demand Database (HDD).
Today, I am pleased to announce that the first provincial Human Settlements App is now available.
This launch clearly demonstrates our commitment to one of our key drivers, which is the Radical Implementation of Innovative Solutions for our citizens.
We’re currently facing a great pandemic in the form of the Coronavirus and our collective aim should be to stop the spread.
This APP will undoubtedly assist in this regard, as potential beneficiaries would no longer have to visit a housing office to be assisted. From now on they’ll be able to do everything themselves in the comfort of their homes.
As part of phase II of the APP, further elements, particularly pertaining to the user experience and user interface (UX and UI), will be added in due course. Parts of these aspects were developed by three young people, Cynthia Augustine from Pinelands, Annabela Bekker from Constantia and Anesu Malisa from Bellville, who participated in our HomeWise Youth competition last year.
Today is a proud moment for us as a Department, and I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who worked extremely hard in the background to ensure the development of this App.
Visit your Google Play store and download the WCGApp right now, which is only18MB.
User Manuals and Videos are also available now.
As the Western Cape Government, we remain committed to accelerating human settlement delivery, while promoting social inclusion through the development of integrated, resilient, safe and sustainable human settlements in an open opportunity society.
Marcellino Martin
Spokesperson for Minister Tertuis Simmers
Tel: 021 483 3397
Mobile: 082 721 3362
Email: Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za