OKHAHLAMBA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

OKHAHLAMBA HOUSING

PLAN

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1.TABLE OF CONTENTS Page

1. TABLE OF CONTENTS 2

2. BACKGROUND 3 2.1. Local Context 3 2.1.1 Spatial 3 2.1.2.Demographic Context 3 2.1.3.Economic Issues 4 2.1.4.Social Context 4

3. CURRENT HOUSING DEMAND 5

4. LAND IDENTIFICATION 7

5. OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES 8

6. CHALLENGES 9

7. CURRENT HOUSING SITUATION 9

7.1. Current Housing Projects 9 7.2. Planned Projects 10

8. INTEGRATION WITH OTHER SECTORS 11

9. HOUSING INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK 11

10. SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 12

11. CONCLUSION 13

12. ANNEXURES

ANNEXURE A

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2. BACKGROUND.

2.1. LOCAL CONTEXT

2.1.1 SPATIAL

The Okhahlamba Local Municipality is one of the five Local Municipalities under Uthukela District. It was established in December 2000.

Okhahlamba Municipality is the amalgamation of the three former TLC’s i.e. , Cathkin Park and Winterton. The main offices of the Municipality are in Bergville. Our Municipality is in the boarders of the following areas, Lesotho on the Drakensburg part (Southern side), Free State Province (Western side), Emnambithi Municipality (Northern side), and Imbabazane Municipality on the Eastern side.

The Okhahlamba Local Municipality is made up of privately owned commercial farmland and small holder free settlements, the urban areas of Bergville, Cathkin Park, Winterton and the three tribal authorities of Amazizi tribe, Amangwane tribe and Amaswazi tribe.

The preparation of a Land Use Management Plan for the Okhahlamba Municipality includes all hubs, satellites and sub satellites. The implementation of the Land Use Management System for the Municipality will ensure the involvement of Amakhosi and all other relevant stakeholders. In this regard, the implementation of an administrative procedure for handling land use changes and development control, Provincial and National Planning and environmental legislation will also be taken into account.

Appropriate areas will be considered for the location of rural services centres. The identification of economic linkages between corridors to promote economic integration and development will also be considered.

2.1.2 DEMOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

According to Statistics SA (Census 2001), the estimated population of the Okhahlamba Municipality is 137 525. This population comprises of urban, rural tribal areas, freehold settlements and farmlands. Africans constitute the majority of the population with 97%.

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POPULATION STATISTICS: OKHAHLAMBA MUNICIPALITY African Coloured Indian White Total Population +/- 134 227 156 260 2882 137 525

2.1.3 ECONOMIC ISSUES

The Municipality has two main economic sectors i.e. Agriculture and Tourism.

In terms of employment, Agriculture is the area’s biggest employer. Commercial Agriculture occupies 70% of the Municipal land area and this land is being farmed fairly intensively for grain, vegetables and pastures for dairy and semi-intensive mutton and beef production.

Although in Tourism, some of the resorts fall outside the jurisdiction of the OLM, their associated attraction are integral to the District Municipality and Local Municipality, and provide good potential for employment and economic growth.

2.1.4. SOCIAL CONTEXT

The majority of people in the Municipality are unemployed i.e. about 67% are unemployed. Avery high proportion of women are unemployed, as a results a number of activities have been initiated in the area to help women earn some sort of income, including sewing groups, crafts, gardening, savings clubs and the use of women contractors by Rand for Water.

Another social challenge that the municipality is facing, is the high impact of HIV/AIDS.

Most of the areas within the Municipality have Primary and Secondary schools, although some of them do not have schools especially in deep rural areas where children have to walk more than eight kilometers.

There is no tertiary institution existing within the Okhahlamba Municipality. People, therefore, have to attend tertiary education in other areas.

There is only one Hospital at Emmaus (Emmaus Hospital) and five clinics i.e. Bergville, Dukuza, Oliviershoek, Amazizi and Ebusingatha in the 5

Municipality. However, mobile clinics do go out to other outlying areas once a week where there is no service being rendered to.

Most of the areas within the municipality have Community Halls and Community Centres.

3. CURRENT HOUSING DEMAND

According to Statistics SA (Census 2001), the housing backlog within the Okhahlamba Municipality is approximately 14 337, with the majority (91%), residing within the rural hinterland.

The Housing Demand in the Municipality is as follows:

Wards Councilor Inkosi Areas identified and estimated units 1 T. Mpembe Shabalala 1. Cathkin Park - 100 2. Cathkin Park / Meadowsweet -200 3. Amaswazi - 700

2 V. Mlotshwa Hlongwane 1. Emmaus -500 2. Diepsloot -100 3. Nokopela -100 4. Ezinyonyana -100 5. Vimbukhalo -100 6. Ezibomvini -100 7. Mlimeleni -100 8. Thunzin-i -100 3 S. Zuma Hlongwane 1. Stulwane -300 2. Emagangangozi -300 3. Mhlwazini -400 4. Ngoba -100 5. Mamfemfetheni -100 4 K. Mathebula Hlongwane 1. Dukuza / Rural Ingonyama -600 2. Hoffental (Mission) -500 5 N.B. Hlongwane Hlongwane 1. Amaswazi -300 2. Sandlwane -600 3. Nkosana -200 4. Gangadweni -200

6 J. Shabalala Miya 1. Ebusingatha 2. Obonjaneni (AMAZIZI) -523 Phase 3. Newstand 7 K. Dladla Miya 1.Okhombe 2.Budlankomo (AMAZIZI) -400 Phase 2 6

8 L. Ngwenya Hlongwane 1.Ogade -200 2. -500 3. Bhalekisi -300 4. Oliviershoek -300 9 S. Sikhakhane Hlongwane 1. Zwelisha / Rural Ingonyama – 900 + 510 = 1410 10 B. Mchunu 1. Langkloof -500 2. -600 11 C.B. Mabizela 1. Woodford - 600 2. Bhethany -700 12 M. Hadebe 1. Action Homes -1000 2. Potshini -100 3. Mahlabathni -100 13 D. Ndaba 1. -200 2. Mabhaceni -100 3. Thintwa -400 4. Qhumaweni -200 5. Hambrook -400 14.Aids 1. Door of Hope (Ekuphileni) Orphanage = 20 Houses 2. Agathos - Cathkin Park - +/ 100 Children = 20 Houses

Ward 1 1000 units Ward 2 1200 units Ward 3 1200 units Ward 4 1100 units Ward 5 1300 units Ward 6 Phase 1: 1000 units Phase 2: 523 units

Ward 7 Phase 1: 1000 units Phase 2: 400 units

Ward 8 700 units + 600 units for Gugulethu Ward 9 900 units + 510 units for Nhlanhleni Ward 10 600 units + 500 units for Langkloof

Ward 11 Phase 1: 700 Phase 2: 600 Ward12 1200units Ward 13 1300 TOTAL 14 337 units

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4. LAND IDENTIFICATION AND SYNERGIES WITH LAND REFORM

Within the Municipality there are three Amakhosi areas, namely, Amangwane (Inkosi Hlongwane), Amazizi(Inkosi Miya) and Amaswazi(Inkosi Shabalala). These tribal leaders have already been approached about the housing projects within their respective areas, and are fully in support of it. In relation to this, these tribal leaders have already sent letters to the municipality stating that beneficiaries need to apply for the housing subsidy if they wish to obtain a house from where they are currently residing.

Within the municipal area there are also 11 Settlement areas that belong to different land owners. Tenants currently reside in these areas and are given land by the land owners to build their houses. Most of these tenants were moved by the white land owners before the Extention of Security of Tenure Act (ESTA) and Labour Tenants Act. During this time an agreement was reached between the land owners and the tenants, whereby rent was to be paid on an annual basis or on a monthly basis. However, these agreements were not formalised except for 5% of the land owners, who were able to have documents of agreement with their tenants. The municipality has engaged in several meetings with the land owners, whereby the opportunities of obtaining a housing subsidy for the tenants were explained. In this regard, buy-in from the land owners is imperative as services such as electricity, water; accessible roads, schools, mobile clinics and sanitation are already in place.

Suitable land and specific land parcels identified for housing projects will need to be identified. This issue is of vital importance as the Department of Land Affairs will now be responsible of acquiring land for housing development. This information is important as it will ensure that housing projects are appropriately located and will provide economic opportunities for beneficiaries.

It is anticipated that with rural projects, there will be in-situ upgrades taking place. Synergies with the Department of Land Affairs, therefore, need to be encouraged especially with regard to labour tenant projects. This issue is imperative as the problem of urban sprawl will be discouraged.

A policy is currently being developed to deal with the issue of farm worker housing. In regard to this, the municipality will need to explore the context of providing housing for farm workers.

It should also be mentioned that the five risks areas for each project are considered, before the project is submitted to the Department of Housing for consideration, i.e. Availability of land (Land Audit), Bulk Services, 8

Environmental Impact Assessment, Geotechnical Investigation Report and Social Compact (Community Involvement)

5. OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

The Municipal objective is to set realistic housing delivery goals and plan and implement housing projects within the auspices of the IDP Process.

The Municipal housing priority issues are the following:

¾ Rural Housing ¾ Urban Housing ¾ Rental Housing ¾ Capacity Building (Housing Consumer Education)

The Municipality consists predominantly of rural areas with 97% of the Municipal population residing there. 3% of the population consists of Whites, Indians and residing in urban areas.

Within the Municipality there are also middle income earners such as teachers, nurses and other government employees who require rental accommodation. The Council did approach the Department of Housing for Rental Stock in Bergville, and the Council did take a resolution that the available Council land should be used for Rental Stock purposes.

In Bergville there is also council land that was sold to a private company, which will be used to build houses for the middle income market. Those middle income earners will have an option of choosing to rent or buying the house.

In rural areas beneficiaries will be trained about their rights and the acquisition of their houses when they received the subsidy. Housing Consumer Education will also be done to those beneficiaries that are on the housing waiting list and to those who have already received their houses.

The municipality also has a help desk for beneficiaries who require assistance from the municipality with regard to housing related matters.

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6. CHALLENGES

BULKS One of the key risks/priorities of any Housing Project is the availability of BULKS and the close liaison/co-ordination with the District Municipality will be necessary to ensure funding for proposed projects. One strategy could be, to request the District Municipality to provide a full analysis of existing and proposed bulk services.

LAND Identify suitable land for housing development.

POVERTY ALLEVIATION Using the housing delivery process as a catalyst for job creation and poverty alleviation.

7. CURRENT HOUSING SITUATION

7.1 CURRENT HOUSING PROJECTS

PROJECT NAME NO. OF PROJECT CASH FLOW UNITS TYPE 06/07 07/08 08/09 Amazizi 1 - Amazizi 1000 Rural 5, 895, 297 9, 728, 281 10,701,108 Amazizi 2 - Amazizi 1000 Rural 5, 895, 297 9, 728, 281 10,701,108 Khetani Ph 2- Winterton 503 Urban 232,023 3,198,256 Khetani Ph 3- Winterton 500 Urban 586,471 3,939,750 Nhlanhleni Zwelisha - 510 Urban 0 2,741,122 4,987,768 Bergville

7.2. PLANNED PROJECTS

Name of the No. of units Status of Funding Timeframe Land Availability Project the Project for implementat ion 1. Emmaus 500 units for Application for No funding 5 – 8 years Yes Housing Emmaus preparation funding Project & Imani - 10 units for Housing Project Imani. (Emmaus) 2. Acton Homes Application for -Preparation 5 – 8 years Yes / Hambrook 1000 units preparation funding Funding Housing Project R 217 500. (Hambrook) 3. Bhethany Application for No funding Yes Housing 600 units preparation funding Project 10

(Bhethany) 4.Door of Hope 100 Beds Application for -Preparation 2 – 3 years Yes (Aids Orphanage) preparation funding Funding (Winterton) R 45 000 5. Bergville Rental Application to the No funding 1 – 2 years Yes Stock 200 units Department (Bergville) (the name for the area is needed) 6. Moyeni Housing Project 1000units -Packaging Stage No Funding (Moyeni)

1000 7. Zwelisha Packaging Stage Housing Project No Funding (Zwelisha)

9. Gugulethu Final approval awaited in R8 764 300,00 3 Years Yes (Gugulethu) 500 order to finalise MOA

10. Langkloof Conditional approval 3 Years Yes (Langkloof) 400 awaited

8. INTEGRATION WITH OTHER SECTORS

The Municipality’s intention is to request the District Municipality to provide a full analysis of existing and proposed bulk services. Housing Projects need to have the basic infrastructure before even considering the construction of the house. The Okhahlamba IDP is inline with the IDP of the District Municipality. In regard to this, the municipality will align the housing projects with the existing and proposed infrastructure. MIG funding used by the District in the Municipality will be aligned with the prioritised housing projects.

Other essential services that the residents rely on are Schools, Clinics, Community Halls, Churches and Sports Fields. In regard to this, the importance of integration is of great importance.

Government Departments have also been involved in assisting residents living in low cost houses. The Department of Environmental Affairs approached the Municipality for the plantation of the trees in a low cost housing area. The Department of Agriculture has also shown interest to help beneficiaries in establishing community gardens. In this regard, woman 11 empowerment takes place, whereby they not only feed their families, but also earn a livelihood with the sale of these products.

The issue of integration with other sectors will be explored further within the auspices of the IDP Process.

9. HOUSING INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

Municipal Manager

Technical Services Manager

Housing Manager

Housing Administrator

The Municipality employed two staff through the Flanders Government funds which the Provincial Department of Housing had provided. i.e. the Housing Manager and the Housing Administrator.

The municipality has also been assisted in terms of training of staff by the Department of Housing’s training programs conducted by University of Technology (DUT). Most of the training programs centered on the management of housing projects.

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10. SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

PLEASE REFER TO “ANNEXURE A”

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11. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Projects Planning

1. Scheduling of projects will be done systematically taking into consideration of availability of water and funding for bulk services.

2. Scheduling of projects for implementation to be done by both the technical unit and the housing unit.

3. Planned projects to be realistic and not based on ambitions.

Projects Implementation

4. Monitoring and evaluation of projects to be done by both the Technical Unit and the Housing Unit.

5. The municipality to appoint Project Managers and Implementing Agents using the Performance Contracts with set timeframes.

6. Ensure that contractors adhere to quality standards set by NHRBC and SABS respectively and that it is not compromised at the expense of maximization of profit margins.

7. That the municipality ensures incorporation of EPWP and PHP in the implementation of projects.

Revision of Housing Plan

That the revision of this Plan be done in collaboration with the IDP document.

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