The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has demonstrated its readiness for expanded housing allocations by exceeding its annual delivery target for the 2024/25 financial year, well ahead of schedule.
The municipality reported that a total of 397 housing units has been delivered by the municipality, as of early June, surpassing its target of 386.
The municipality highlighted that this is a clear sign of sustained institutional turnaround, improved planning and implementation, and strengthened intergovernmental coordination.
Despite these gains, the municipality said it still faces a significant housing backlog of more than 100 000 units.
In response to this, earlier this year, the municipality launched a registration drive aimed at prioritising backyard dwellers in upcoming allocations, with a goal of building news 400 housing units in the next budget year.
Municipality’s Executive Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe said the municipality has called on the National Department of Human Settlements to consider increasing the metro’s housing allocations, in light of its consistent performance.
“The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has shown its ability to deliver on time, within budget, and wih quality—positioning itself as a reliable implementing partner in addressing the national housing backlog,” Lobishe said.
The mayor emphasised that in the midst of all the vulnerabilities and challenges remain, including people living in shacks, floodplains, and unsafe conditions, the municipality must still act with the utmost urgency to deliver coordinated and integrated human settlements.
“Section 26 of the Constitution guarantees everyone the right to access adequate housing [while] Section 152 compels municipalities to ensure the provision of services and promote sustainable communities. We are fulfilling this mandate not only with urgency, but with pride and purpose,” Lobishe said.
She added that the municipality will pursue the relevant interventions and measures to ensure it engages the Minister of Human Settlement through the appropriate channels and processes, to advocate for increased allocations.
Backed by a five-year turnaround strategy, the Human Settlements Directorate has introduced reforms in project and beneficiary management, financial controls, and intergovernmental collaboration.
Communities across the metro, including Polar Park, KwaNobuhle, Jachtvlakte, Masakhane Village, Motherwell NU30, and Red Location, are already benefiting from these initiatives.
Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Human Settlements, Thembinkosi Mafana, credited the municipality’s ability to meet and exceed targets to effective oversight, operational effectiveness, and collaboration across all levels of government.
“The excellent performance speaks for itself. We have consistently delivered on the funding allocations given to the metro, on time, budget and with quality. In certain areas, we have even exceeded our targets.
“Our housing delivery backlog is a challenge, and we need to fast-track housing delivery. Our quality controls and effectiveness will elevate our status significantly, as we continually improve our ability to deliver with agility,” Mafana said.
The MMC also acknowledged the contribution of the Standing Committee for Human Settlements, other state entities, the residents, and municipal officials.
“The administration’s Human Settlement Standing Committee has an all-hands-on deck approach. We also appreciate the dedication and turnaround efforts shown by our officials and contractors,” he said.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality reiterated its readiness to scale up housing delivery and committed to working with provincial and national government to accelerate sustainable human settlements across the metro. – SAnews.gov.za
