Freedom without access to housing and land access is not free

Over three decades of ANC provincial government in Gauteng have made life far worse for its residents and created a near-impossible environment for people to own a piece of land and property in our province, says the writer.
Image: IOL
This year marks the 31st anniversary of South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994. This day, celebrated as Freedom Day, invites us to reflect on two perspectives: the strides we have made since the advent of democracy and the empty promises that still impact Gauteng under the ANC-led government. This reality underscores the sentiment of "not yet Uhuru," beautifully captured in Mama Letta Mbulu's song.
The word "freedom" means more than declarations of independence or a well-crafted constitution guaranteeing voting rights and democratic freedoms; it requires practical implementation and must be felt in people's everyday lives.
However, over three decades of ANC provincial government in Gauteng have made life far worse for its residents and created a near-impossible environment for people to own a piece of land and property in our province.
As things stand, over 1.3 million residents in Gauteng are on the housing waiting list, with some waiting since 1996. Given the current rate of just over 9 000 houses built annually, residents may have to wait another 158 years to receive houses. This is because the Department only delivered 43 050 (3.3%) houses in five years.
Furthermore, the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements (GDHS) has issued only 32 002 title deeds in the past five years, despite a backlog of 178 000 residents on the housing waiting list. This list includes 166 000 individuals who have been waiting since post-1994 and 12 000 who have been waiting since before 1994. The department will take 25 years to clear the title deeds backlog at this rate.
How long should Gauteng residents wait to receive this important document, proof of home or land ownership? A responsible government would understand that title deeds provide security of tenure, granting the holder the right to occupy or sell the property if they choose to do so. With title deeds, owners can pass the ownership to their children and future generations.
The blame for the unaddressed backlog in the housing waiting list and the low number of title deeds issued lies squarely with the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements. Their lack of effective solutions has exacerbated the housing crisis in Gauteng. Every MEC who has led this department has left it in a worse condition than they found it. One might think that Alphonse Karr had this department in mind when he coined the phrase: 'The more things change, the more they stay the same.' The perennial recurrence of patterns and behaviours, despite who is in charge of this department, denies millions of people access to housing. For these people, freedom exists in theory and is far from practical.
The DA has consistently urged the Department of Human Settlements to make the housing waiting list public to ensure transparency in the allocation of houses. However, this request has been overlooked, despite damning reports that public officials are manipulating the lists or accepting bribes from individuals who are not on the lists but want to bypass the queue.
Unfortunately, Premier Panyaza Lesufi's intervention in the housing and land issue has been minimal. In his recent State of the Province Address, he promised that the Ikageleng Rapid Release Programme will address the gap for income groups that do not qualify for the full subsidy programme and do not earn enough to qualify for bond applications, yet are willing to build houses for themselves. He further stated that to improve the living conditions of beneficiaries, strategic land is sourced from the private sector, and it is serviced with water, sewer, and electricity before being released to qualifying beneficiaries.
As we celebrate Freedom Day, it is crucial to take a moment to reflect on whether we have achieved genuine freedom. Many of our people in Gauteng struggle with challenges such as landlessness, homelessness and the dignity that comes from owning a title deed, says the writer
Image: Sisonke Mlamla/Independent Newspapers
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