Intsika Yethu LM HSP 08_12.pdf - Provincial Spatial Development ...

INTSIKA YETHU MUNICIPALITY 

HOUSING SECTOR PLAN 

2008 to 2012 

Prepared By: 

Wanklin & Naidoo 

Development Specialists 

Registration Number: CK2002 / 080780 / 23 

12 Elton Street, Southernwood 

East London, 5201 

Tel: +27 43 7221198 / 7226291 

Fax: +27 43 7438485 

Email: tshani@iafrica.com

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

1. SITUATION ANALYSIS 

The two towns within the area are Cofimvaba and Tsomo and the 

residential component comprises 213 villages scattered throughout the 

municipal area. Communities in the rural areas have little or no access 

to adequate services such as electricity, water, clinics or schools. This 

results in the visibility of informal settlements on the fringes of 

Cofimvaba and Tsomo. The increasing migration rate puts pressure 

on the municipality to provide housing in the towns. There is a need to 

create compact rural villages which will facilitate economic provision of 

services and infrastructure. 

There is little progress being made in housing delivery at present due 

to institutional capacity shortages, limited access to land and the lack 

of funding provided by the Provincial Department of Housing. 

The municipality does not have an approved housing policy and uses 

consultants for support in design and implementation of housing 

projects. 

2. STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK 

Key Issues 

A set of appropriate housing development strategies have been 

formulated to address the following key issues affecting delivery, 

namely; 

Institutional Capacity 

The municipality has an established Housing Division comprising four 

approved positions. Only two are filled positions. The municipality 

does not have an approved housing policy and uses consultants for 

support in design and implementation of housing projects. The 

municipality undertakes beneficiary identification, dealings with DoH 

and financial control. Coupled with this institutional need will be the 

requirement that a skills development and mentorship programme be 

introduced for officials and councilors, emerging contractors and 

support personnel in technical fields. 

Statistics 

A formal housing waiting list is maintained by the municipality which 

indicates that there are in excess of 2 000 families which require 

housing. The IDP states that the anticipated population growth rate 

over the next 10 years is likely to be level, however more recent 

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estimates suggest that the population is declining. This would also 

imply that there could be expected to be a decline in housing demand 

over time. 

Housing Backlog 

The municipality reports that not a single housing project has been 

completed either due to lack of subsidy funding, access to land delays, 

land tenure difficulties, blocking of approved projects and/or 

inadequate capacity to implement projects 

Infrastructure 

The state of the infrastructure in the municipality is going to delay 

public and private funded housing development unless and integrated 

approach is adopted, whereby the necessary infrastructure is funded 

ahead of the housing delivery programme 

Housing Vision 

The housing vision of the municipality is to complete 10000 units by 

2013. 

“By 2013 we should have completed at least 10 000 urban and 

rural houses meeting the quality standards and norms, with the 

support of the Department and the capacity to implement a 

complete programme.” 

Objectives and Strategies 

The housing vision (see above) will be achieved by a set of objectives 

and strategies including the following: 

Priority Housing Issues Objectives Strategies 

Infrastructure To ensure the Engage the DM re bulk 

prioritized wards have 

adequate water supply 

Road access to be 

water 

Apply for funding from 

MIG for access roads 

upgraded 

Engage Eskom re 

Provision of electricity 

Provision of sanitation 

electricity 

Engage DM re 

sanitation 

Engage the Dept. of 

Roads and Transport 

Land Access 

By the end of 2008 all 

prioritized wards are to 

have all the necessary 

approvals for access 

to rural land 

re bridges 

To arrange for all 

community resolutions 

meetings in the rural 

area 

To have engagement 

with Traditional

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Approvals and funding of 

projects 

An up to date set of 

approvals and 

documents for every 

project 

Institutional Capacity A fully capacitated 

Housing Unit by the 

end of 2009 

Housing Need 

Meeting the need for 

housing 

Authority and DLA to 

hold community 

meetings 

Align the Area Based 

Plan with the Housing 

Sector Plan 

To register donated 

land with immediate 

effect 

Revalidation of Ext. 1 

and Joe Slovo to be 

speeded up 

Ensure the efficient 

processing of 

beneficiaries and 

approval of their 

subsidies 

Obtain sufficient office 

space, equipment and 

furniture 

Examine the available 

capacity 

Use CDW‟s with 

housing experience 

Engage 

the 

Department in the 

establishment of the 

unit 

Secure a Council 

resolution for the unit 

St. Marks, Joe slovo, 

Ext 2 Tsomo, all 

informal settlements. 

4000 to 6000 rural 

units will be complete 

by 2013 

Disaster housing 

backlog to be 

prioritized in terms of 

starting them from 

scratch as individual 

projects

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3. INSTITUTIONAL 

Capacity 

The municipality wishes to establish a dedicated housing unit and 

increase its staff capacity from 2 personnel to 4. Provision is made in 

the organogram for these posts. Funding will be required from 

Provincial Housing to support the establishment of the unit as follows:- 

Additional Staff 

Housing Officer (Grade 12) 

Housing Clerk (Grade 13) 

Annual Budget 

R124 080.00 

R104 364.00 

R228 444.00 

Furniture and Equipment 

Computer and printer 

Desks 

Chairs 

Filing cabinets 

Once off amount 

R10 000.00 

R20 000.00 

R 5 000.00 

R 1 000.00 

R36 000.00 

Training 

It is essential that training of Councillors and staff will be undertaken to 

upgrade the capacity of the new unit. Prior to commencing a skills 

audit must be conducted to ascertain the training needs and design a 

training programme accordingly. It is envisaged that training in the 

following skills would be required:- 

Building Inspection 

Project Management 

End User Computing 

Project Administration and Record Keeping 

Housing Policy Frameworks and Procedures 

A mentorship programme would be necessary for a period of at least 

12 months to ensure a “hands on” transfer of skills. Such a mentor 

would need to be outsourced using experienced practitioners from the 

housing field. It is estimated that the required budget would be in the 

region of R250 000 per annum. 

4. CURRENT AND PLANNED HOUSING SCHEDULE 

The total budget required to implement the current and proposed 

projects is set out in the tables below. These estimates are based on 

the statistics provided by the municipality and the quantum applying to 

the subsides at the time of preparation of the Housing Sector Plan 

document.


CURRENT PROJECT DETAILS 

PROJECT NAME NO OF PROJECT TYPE NUMBER OF UNITS 

TOTALS 

SITES YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3 YEAR 4 YEAR 5+ 

TSOMO EXTENSION 2 293 INDIVIDUAL HOUSING PROGRAMME 100 193 293 


TSOMO EXTENSION 4 601 INDIVIDUAL HOUSING PROGRAMME 100 200 301 601 

COFIMVABA EXT 1 142 INDIVIDUAL HOUSING PROGRAMME 50 92 142 

ST MARKS 500 RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMME 100 250 150 500 

ENYANISWENI 430 INDIVIDUAL HOUSING PROGRAMME 100 200 130 430 

LUBISI MCAMBALALA 2,400 RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMME 250 500 250 1,400 2,400 

JOE SLOVO 587 RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMME 150 300 137 587 

TOTAL 5,203 350 1,250 1,452 450 1,701 5,203 

CASH FLOW 

PROJECT NAME NO OF PROJECT TYPE CASH FLOW (INF - INFRASTRUCTURE TS - TOP STRUCTURE) 

TOTALS 


TSOMO EXTENSION 2 293 INDIVIDUAL HOUSING PROGRAMME INF 4,685,656 TS 2,299,200 TS 4,437,456 11,422,312 


TSOMO EXTENSION 4 601 INDIVIDUAL HOUSING PROGRAMME INF 9,611,192 TS 2,299,200 TS 4,598,400 TS 6,920,592 23,429,384 

CONIMVABA EXT 1 142 INDIVIDUAL HOUSING PROGRAMME INF 2,254,872 TS 1,149,600 TS 2,115,264 5,519,736 

ST MARKS 500 RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMME INF/TS 10,295,200 TS 5,748,000 TS 3,448,800 19,492,000 

ENYANISWENI 430 INDIVIDUAL HOUSING PROGRAMME INF/TS 9,175,760 TS 4,598,400 TS 2,988,960 16,763,120 

LUBISI MCAMBALALA 2,400 RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMME INF 38,380,800 TS 5,748,000 TS 11,496,000 TS 5,748,000 TS 32,188,800 93,561,600 

JOE SLOVO 587 RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMME INF/TS 12,836,104 TS 6,897,600 TS 3,149,904 22,883,608 

TOTAL 5,203 81,626,392 38,351,192 33,384,384 10,346,400 39,109,392 202,817,760 

PROPOSED PROJECT DETAILS 


TOTALS 


EKUPHUMLENI 820 INDIVIDUAL HOUSING PROGRAMME 200 620 820 

THABO VILLAGE 348 SITE AND SERVICE ONLY 348 

COFIMVABA EXT 8 348 INDIVIDUAL HOUSING PROGRAMME 100 200 48 348 

FORTY JUNCTION 500 RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMME 500 

KWAJO JUNCTION 500 RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMME 500 

CHRIS HANI PHASE 1 3,893 RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMME 3,893 


VUYISILE MINI PHASE 1 1,035 RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMME 1,035 


TOTAL 11,081 0 0 1,100 8,965 668 1,516 

CASH FLOW 


TOTALS 


EKUPHUMLENI 820 INDIVIDUAL HOUSING PROGRAMME INF 13,113,440 TS 4,598,400 TS 14,255,040 31,966,880 


COFIMVABA EXT 8 348 INDIVIDUAL HOUSING PROGRAMME INF 5,565,216 TS 2,299,200 TS 4,598,400 TS 1,103,616 13,566,432 

40 JUNCTION 500 RURAL HOUSING PROJECT INF/TS 19,492,000 

KWA JO JUNCTION 500 RURAL HOUSING PROJECT INF/TS 19,492,000 

CHRIS HANI PHASE 1 3,893 RURAL HOUSING PROJECT INF/TS 151,764,712 


VUYISILE MINI PHASE 1 1,035 RURAL HOUSING PROJECT INF/TS 40,348,440 


TOTAL 11,081 0 5,565,216 54,396,640 343,094,760 15,358,656 45,533,312 

TOTAL ALL PROJECTS 16,284 81,626,392 43,916,408 87,781,024 353,441,160 54,468,048 248,351,072 

(See Section 4.7.8 for a breakdown of the Chris Hani and Vuyisile Mini housing projects ) 

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CONTENTS 

1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................... 9 

2. POLICY CONTEXT ....................................................................................... 9 

2.1 Legislative Framework................................................................................ 9 

2.1.1 The Legal Context for Housing Provision in South Africa .................... 9 

2.2 Policy Environment ................................................................................... 11 

2.2.1 A Comprehensive Plan for the Development of Sustainable Human 

Settlements, „BNG‟ Strategy ........................................................................ 11 

2.3 Municipal Legislative and Policy Framework for Housing Sector Plans ... 13 

2.3.1 The Constitution 1996 ........................................................................ 13 

2.3.2 Local Government Transition Act 1995 .............................................. 13 

2.3.3 Rural Development Framework 1997 ................................................ 13 

2.3.4 White Paper on Local Government 1998 ........................................... 13 

2.3.5 Municipal Demarcation Act 1998 ....................................................... 14 

2.3.6 The Municipal Structures Act 1998 .................................................... 14 

2.3.7 Municipal Systems Act 2000 .............................................................. 14 

2.3.8 The National Housing Act (107) of 1997 ............................................ 15 

2.3.9 The White Paper on Wise Land Use (July 2001) ............................... 15 

2.3.10 Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA)15 

2.4 Provincial Housing Policy ......................................................................... 17 

2.4.1 Provincial Growth and Development Plan (PGDP) ............................ 17 

3. PARTICIPATORY PROCESS ..................................................................... 20 

4. THE EXISTING SITUATION ........................................................................... 22 

4.1 Location .................................................................................................... 22 

4.2 The Natural Environment........................................................................... 22 

4.2.1 Topography .......................................................................................... 22 

4.2.2 Climate .............................................................................................. 22 

4.2.3 Soils and Geology ............................................................................. 22 

4.2.4 Environmental Considerations .......................................................... 22 

4.3 Spatial Context ......................................................................................... 23 

4.3.1 Urbanisation ........................................................................................... 23 

4.3.2 Settlements ............................................................................................ 24 

4.4 Demography. ............................................................................................. 24 

4.4.1 Household income .............................................................................. 25 

4.4.2 Unemployment ................................................................................... 25 

4.4.3 Age and gender .................................................................................. 26 

4.5 Planning Context ....................................................................................... 26 

4.5.1 Integrated Development Plan ............................................................. 27 

4.5.2 Integration and Alignment of Sector Plans .......................................... 28 

4.5.3 Spatial Development Framework Plan ................................................ 30 

4.6 Municipal Infrastructure ............................................................................. 34 

4.6.1 Water and Sanitation .......................................................................... 34 

4.6.2 Refuse Removal ................................................................................. 35 

4.6.3 Electricity Supply ................................................................................ 35 

4.6.4 Roads and Storm water ...................................................................... 35 

4.7 Housing Situation ...................................................................................... 36 

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4.7.1 Introduction ............................................................................................. 36 

4.7.2 Housing Need / Demand ........................................................................ 36 

4.7.3 Housing Supply / Type. .......................................................................... 36 

4.7.4 Land Availability .................................................................................. 37 

4.7.5 Current Housing Projects .................................................................... 38 

4.7.6 Planned Housing Projects ...................................................................... 39 

4.7.7 Social and Rental Housing ..................................................................... 39 

4.7.8 Proposed Rural Housing ........................................................................ 39 

4.8 Municipal Institutional Framework ........................................................... 40 

5. CONCLUDING KEY ISSUES .......................................................................... 41 

6. HOUSING STRATEGY ................................................................................... 41 

6.1 Housing Vision and Mission ...................................................................... 41 

6.2 Objectives and Strategies .......................................................................... 42 

6.3 Current and Planned Project Schedule .................................................... 44 

6.4 Infrastructure Programme ..................................................................... 45 

7. INSTITUTIONAL .......................................................................................... 46 

7.1 Capacity ................................................................................................ 46 

7.2 Training ................................................................................................. 46 

8. FIRST YEAR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ........................................................ 47 

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1. INTRODUCTION 

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Traditional Affairs have embarked 

on a programme to establish 33 Municipal Housing Sector Plans in the Eastern Cape 

with the collaboration of Local and District Municipalities. 

The purpose of a Housing Sector Plan is as follows:- 

To ensure the effective allocation of limited resources (specifically financial and 

human) to a large pool of potential development interventions. 

To provide a formal and practical method of prioritizing housing projects and 

obtaining political consensus for the sequencing of their implementation. 

To ensure more integrated development through bringing together the relevant 

cross-sectoral role players to coordinate their development interventions in one 

plan. 

To provide greater spatial linkages between the spatial development framework 

and the physical implementation of projects on the ground. 

To ensure that there is a definite housing focus for the IDP. 

This document sets out the context of the existing situation in the Amahlathi Municipality 

area, the legal and policy setting and finally the various plans for housing delivery. This 

document also describes the situation of the local municipality and sets out the 

achievements to date. The various challenges facing housing delivery are described 

according to the information supplied by the Municipality. 

2. POLICY CONTEXT 

2.1 Legislative Framework 

2.1.1 The Legal Context for Housing Provision in South Africa 

‣ Constitution: Bill of Rights 

The Bill of Rights contained in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 

entrenches certain basic rights for all citizens of South Africa including: “The right to 

have access to adequate housing” (Article 26), where “adequate housing” is defined 

in the RDP White Paper of November 1994, in the following terms: "As a minimum, 

all housing must provide protection from weather, a durable structure, and 

reasonable living space and privacy. A house must include sanitary facilities, storm 

water drainage, a household energy supply, and convenient access to clean water. 

Moreover, it must provide for secure tenure in a variety of forms." 

The Constitution also describes the objectives of local government, including 

regional council as:- 

The provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner; 

The promotion of social and economic development; 

The promotion of safe and healthy environments; and 

The encouragement of community and community organization involvement in 

maters of local government.

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This section goes on to state that a municipality must strive, within its financial and 

administrative capacity, to achieve the above objectives. 

With regard to the development duties of local government, a municipality must: 

Structure and manage its administration and budgeting and planning processes 

to give priority to the basic needs of the community, and to promote the social 

and economic development of the community; and 

Participate in national and provincial development programmes. 

‣ National Housing Code 

The purpose of the National Housing Code is to set out clearly, in one 

comprehensive document, the National Housing Policy of South Africa. National 

Housing Policy comprises an overall vision for housing of South Africa and the way 

in which this vision should be implemented. The requirements for the establishment 

of the National Housing Code are set out in Section 4 of the Housing Act, 1997 (Act 

No. 107 of 1997). This act requires the Minister of Housing to publish a code to be 

called the National Housing Code. The code must contain National Housing Policy 

and administrative guidelines, in order to facilitate the effective implementation of the 

National Housing Policy. The code does not replace the key legislation and laws 

relating to National Housing Policy. Rather it is a statement of present policy, 

providing an overview and confirmation of the existing policy that is in place. As 

National Housing Policy is continually changing and evolving, so will the code 

continually change. Besides outlining the National Housing Policy, the code also 

provides guidelines and suggestions as to how this policy should be implemented. 

The code comprises the following parts: 

1. A user-friendly guide which is a summary of the code and an overview of the 

information available 

2. Part 1, is an overview of the National Housing Policy 

3. Part 2, is an overview of the Housing Act, No. 107 of 1997 

4. Part 3, details the National Housing Program including the Housing Subsidies 

Scheme, the Discount Benefits Scheme and Hostel re-development program. 

5. Part 4, covers new developments such as current policy relating to Social 

Housing and the Rental Act. 

The National Housing Policy is implemented primary by three spheres of government 

namely the National Government, Provincial Government and Municipalities, each of 

which have clear roles and responsibilities. 

The Constitution of South Africa broadly outlines the roles of the different spheres of 

government where:- 

1. A user-friendly guide which is a summary of the code and an overview of the 

information available 

2. Part 1, is an overview of the National Housing Policy 

3. Part 2, is an overview of the Housing Act, No. 107 of 1997 

4. Part 3, details the National Housing Program including the Housing Subsidies 

Scheme, the Discount Benefits Scheme and Hostel re-development program. 

5. Part 4, covers new developments such as current policy relating to Social 

Housing and the Rental Act.

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The National Housing Policy is implemented primary by three spheres of government 

namely the National Government, Provincial Government and Municipalities, each of 

which have clear roles and responsibilities. 

The Constitution of South Africa broadly outlines the roles of the different spheres of 

government where: 

1. National Government has the power to develop laws and policies that deal with 

matters that apply at a national level. Therefore at a national level Housing 

Policy is developed to facilitate an effective and equitable housing sector. 

National housing targets, goals and objectives are developed at this level. 

2. Provincial Government has the power to make specific laws and policies for the 

province in terms of all functional areas including housing. National Housing 

targets are subdivided amongst local municipalities based on housing needs 

analysis and delivery targets for each Municipality. 

3. Municipalities have the power to administer matters such as housing and all 

others relating to implementation of development projects in their areas. 

Municipal housing objectives and targets are defined in the Housing sector plan. 

2.2 Policy Environment 

2.2.1 A Comprehensive Plan for the Development of Sustainable Human 

Settlements, ‘BNG’ Strategy 

The “Breaking New Ground” document was approved by Cabinet and presented to 

MINMEC on 2 September 2004. This document suggests a number of progressive 

changes to the delivery of housing in South Africa. Since the documents approval in 

September 2004 a number of these suggested changes have been incorporated, the 

following is a summary of the major relevant shifts in housing delivery strategy currently 

being incorporated into policy based on this document. 

The new human settlements plan reinforces the vision of the Department of Housing, to 

promote the achievement of a non-racial, integrated society through the development of 

sustainable human settlements and quality housing. Within this broader vision, the 

Department is committed to meeting the following specific objectives:- 

Accelerating the delivery of housing as a key strategy for poverty alleviation 

Utilising provision of housing as a major job creation strategy 

Ensuring property can be accessed by all as an asset for wealth creation and 

empowerment 

Leveraging growth in the economy 

Combating crime, promoting social cohesion and improving quality of life for the 

poor 

Supporting the functioning of the entire single residential property market to 

reduce duality within the sector by breaking the barriers between the first 

economy residential property boom and the second economy slump. 

Major relevant Changes suggested through this document include:-

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‣ The new human settlements plan moves towards more holistic, integrated, 

flexible and responsive mechanisms which address the multi-dimensional needs 

of sustainable human settlements. 

‣ As part of an approach which envisages that municipalities will play a significantly 

increased role in the housing process, municipalities must take the lead role in 

negotiating the location of housing supply to facilitate spatial restructuring. This 

will also encourage integration between housing delivery, spatial planning, 

infrastructure provision, Municipal IDP and budgetary coherence. 

‣ Enhancing Spatial Planning, through greater coordination and alignment of 

various planning instruments and economic policies, lies at the heart of 

sustainable human settlements. This requires more than mere coordination 

between departments but there needs to be a single overarching planning 

authority and/or instrument to provide macro-level guidance to support the 

development of sustainable human settlements. 

‣ The housing chapter of Municipal Integrated Development Plans must be 

considerably enhanced to include municipal housing needs assessment, the 

identification, surveying and prioritisation of informal settlements, the 

identification of well located land for housing, the identification of areas for 

densification, the linkages between housing and urban renewal and the 

integration of housing, planning and transportation frameworks, and will link 

these to a multi year implementation plan. 

‣ It is important that the programme respond to the capacity needs of communities, 

ensuring that they are empowered to constructively engage with municipalities in 

identifying and fulfilling their housing needs. 

‣ Municipal capacity building is highlighted as critical to the success of the new 

housing plan. A comprehensive programme for capacity building in the housing 

sector is suggested. 

‣ Some changes were suggested to subsidy bands including the collapsing of the 3 

subsidy bands below R3500 and the introduction of finance products/instruments 

to medium income households (earning R3,500 to R 7,000 p.m.). 

‣ Progressive Informal Settlement Eradication is a primary aim of the new policy. 

Informal settlements must urgently be integrated into the broader urban fabric to 

overcome spatial, social and economic exclusion. 

‣ Promoting densification and integration of previously excluded groups into the 

city and the benefits it offers and to ensure the development of more integrated, 

functional and environmentally sustainable human settlements, towns and cities. 

One aspect of this process can be achieved through supporting urban renewal 

and inner city regeneration 

‣ An overall strategy to facilitate the release of well-located public land to 

municipalities is being developed, furthermore funding for the acquisition of 

private land for housing purposes will no longer form part of the housing subsidy. 

(The responsibility for the acquisition of land for housing development now rests 

with the Department of Land Affairs.) 

‣ Developing a rural housing programme which is to deal with a comprehensive 

range of rural housing related issues, such as tenure, livelihood strategies and 

broader socio-cultural issues. The document also suggested greater use of the 

„social housing instrument‟ to facilitate the production of effectively managed 

institutional housing in the areas where demand for institutional or managed 

housing, of all types, exists. 

In summary the discussion document places greater emphasis on the process of 

housing delivery (emphasizing planning and engagement), the quality of the housing 

product (both in terms of location but also in terms of final housing form) and the long-

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term sustainability of the housing environment (leading to a focus on institutional 

capacity). 

Additionally it should be noted that the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) is 

aimed at alleviating and reducing unemployment by the provision of work opportunities. 

The principles/guidelines of the above plan/programme should be taken into account 

when housing projects are undertaken. 

(Source – Municipal Housing Sector Plan Manual prepared by Project Preparation Trust of KZN) 

2.3 Municipal Legislative and Policy Framework for Housing Sector Plans 

2.3.1 The Constitution 1996 

According to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, adopted on the 8 th of May 

1996 (sections 152 and 153), local government is responsible for the development 

process in Municipalities and for municipal planning. The constitution further states that 

municipalities are responsible for integrated development planning in order to meet the 

following objectives:- 

to ensure sustainable provision of services, 

to promote social and economic development, 

to promote a safe and healthy environment, 

to give priority to the basic needs of communities, 

to encourage involvement of communities. 

2.3.2 Local Government Transition Act 1995 

While the Local Government Transition Act of 1993, provided for revised interim 

measures with a view to promoting the restructuring of local government and the 

establishment of appointed transitional councils, amendments to that act introduced in 

June 1995, made provision for the establishment and management of Transitional Rural 

Local Government structures. 

Since then a number of further and positive changes have been introduced in the 

broader rural policy environment, and are outlined below. 

2.3.3 Rural Development Framework 1997 

In 1997, the Rural Development Task Team as part of the old RDP office prepared the 

Rural Development Framework for the National Department of Land Affairs. This 

framework advocated a holistic approach to rural development and poverty alleviation, 

focusing on local democracy, rural local economic development and development of 

rural infrastructure. 

2.3.4 White Paper on Local Government 1998 

In March 1998, the White Paper on Local Government was published advocating the 

developmental role of local government. Amongst the responsibilities and obligations 

defined for “Developmental Local Government” as defined in the White Paper were the 

following:- 

to take responsibility for countering the racial divisions of the local space imposed 

by apartheid;

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to create unified urban and rural areas, where all community members have 

equal access to municipal services; 

to promote the active participation of local communities in decision-making 

through community participation in the budgeting process; 

to assemble municipal developmental priorities through the Integrated 

Development Planning (IDP) process; and 

to monitor municipal performance through the Performance Management 

System. 

2.3.5 Municipal Demarcation Act 1998 

The re-demarcation of municipal boundaries was effected through the Municipal 

Demarcation Act of 1998, the Municipal Structures Act of 1998 and the Municipal 

Systems Act of 2000. This re-demarcation has allowed for wall-to-wall local government 

throughout the country, removing historic confusion over responsibilities for areas, which 

fell outside of local municipalities, and creating the platform for more equitable 

development. 

2.3.6 The Municipal Structures Act 1998 

The Municipal Structures Act 1998 (Act No. 117 of 1998): provides for the establishment 

of municipal categories and for the appropriate division of functions and powers between 

these categories of municipality. 

A district municipality has the following functions and powers in terms of development 

planning: 

Integrated development planning for the district municipality as a whole, including 

a framework for integrated development plans for the local municipalities within 

the area of the district municipality, taking into account the integrated 

development plans of those local municipalities. 

Furthermore a district municipality must seek to achieve the integrated, sustainable and 

equitable social and economic development of its area as a whole by; 

Ensuring integrated development planning for the district as a whole; 

Promoting bulk infrastructural development and services for the district as a 

whole; 

Building the capacity of local municipalities in its area to perform their functions 

and exercise their powers where such capacity is lacking; 

And promoting the equitable distribution of resources between the local 

municipalities in its area to ensure appropriate levels of municipal services within 

the area. 

2.3.7 Municipal Systems Act 2000 

The Municipal Systems Act of 2000 formally introduced Integrated Development Plans 

(IDP‟s), as the form of planning to be adopted by all metropolitan, district and local 

municipalities throughout the country. Section 24(1) of the Act specifies that the planning 

undertaken by a municipality must be aligned with and complement the development 

plans and strategies of other affected municipalities and other state organs / government 

departments 

Section 24(3)(a) puts the onus on service providers to align their actions with that of the 

municipal IDP: “If municipalities are required to comply with planning requirements in 

terms of national or provincial legislation, the responsible organs of state must … align 

the implementation of that legislation with the provisions of Chapter 5 of the MSA dealing

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with integrated development planning.” It is clear that alignment is the responsibility of all 

Spheres of Government. 

2.3.8 The National Housing Act (107) of 1997 

The National Housing Act of 1997 defines the roles of different spheres of government in 

relation to the delivery of housing in South Africa. In terms of the responsibilities of Local 

Government in relation to housing delivery it states (Part 4 Sec 9.1). 

Every municipality must as part of the municipality‟s process of integrated development 

planning take all reasonable and necessary steps within the framework of national and 

provincial housing legislation and policy to:- 

a) Ensure that:- 

The inhabitants of its area of jurisdiction have access to adequate housing 

on a progressive basis; 

Conditions not conducive to the health and safety of the inhabitants of its 

area of jurisdiction are prevented or removed; and 

Services in respect of water, sanitation, electricity, roads, storm water 

drainage and transport are provided in a manner which is economically 

efficient. 

b) Set housing delivery goals in respect of its area of jurisdiction; 

c) Identify and designate land for housing development. 

2.3.9 The White Paper on Wise Land Use (July 2001) 

The White Paper on Wise Land Use (July, 2001) sets out to provide uniform, effective 

and efficient land use management in both urban and rural areas. It also aims at 

clearing the duplication in legislation inherited from the past. 

Of importance is that it further builds on the DFA normative approach to land use 

planning. The white paper further recommends „wise land use‟. Underpinning the 

concept of Wise land use are sustainable development concerns. These place society 

and the government at the fore front position in the preservation of natural assets for 

present and future generations. In other words, the White Paper re-emphasizes the need 

to strike a balance between the three critical aspects in development, viz. the 

environmental, the economic and the social. 

It is therefore critical, that the SDF proposals should give effect to the guiding principles 

as set out in both the DFA and this White Paper. 

2.3.10 Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA) 

AsgiSA has economic and social objectives. Economically, it aims to achieve economic 

growth of four comma five percent (4, 5 %) in the first phase of development from 2005 

to 2009. Also, economic growth of six percent (6%) should be reached by 2014. Social 

objectives on the other hand include the improvement of the environment and 

opportunities for labour - absorbing and ensure that the fruits of growth are shared in 

such a way as to eventually eliminate poverty. 

AsgiSA recognizes some of the binding constraints against which the policy operates. 

These include:- 

The volatility and level of the currency. 

The cost, efficiency and capacity of the national logistics system.

16 

Shortage of suitably skilled labour amplified by the cost effects on labour of apartheid 

spatial patterns. 

Barriers to entry, limits to competition and limited new investment 

opportunities. 

Regulatory environment and the burden on small and medium businesses. 

Deficiencies in state organisation, capacity and leadership. 

Also, the policy highlights a series of interventions to counter these constraints. 

The following are the six categories into which the interventions were grouped: 

• Macroeconomic issues; 

• Infrastructure programmes; 

• Sector investment strategies (or industrial strategies); 

• Skills and education initiatives, 

• Second economy interventions; and 

• Public administration issues. 

Other strategic interventions in the infrastructure arena include further development of 

the country‟s research and development infrastructure, and further improvement in the 

modalities for public-private-partnerships in the development and maintenance of public 

infrastructure. Public sector infrastructure spending has considerable potential spin-offs 

in terms of the generation or regeneration of domestic supply industries, small business 

development and empowerment. Government is seeking to maximise the positive impact 

of these spin-offs on the domestic economy. 

In addition to the general infrastructure programmes, provinces were asked to propose 

special projects that would have a major impact on accelerating and sharing growth. A 

set of projects has been selected for finalisation of implementation plans. Some of these 

projects are already underway. They are:- 

• The Umzimvubu Catchments and Timber Industries Development Initiative in the 

Eastern Cape 

Also, the policy introduced sector strategies that aim at promoting private sector 

investment. These are inclusive of the following: 

A broader National Industrial Policy framework: Two sectors were identified for 

special priority attention: business process outsourcing (BPO) and tourism, and a 

third which is at a less advanced stage of development, biofuels. What all of 

these industries have in common is that they are labour intensive, rapidly growing 

sectors world wide, suited to South African circumstances, and open to 

opportunities for Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) and 

small business development. 

Education and skills development: For both the public infrastructure and the 

private investment programmes, the single greatest impediment is the shortage 

of skills - including professional skills such as engineers and scientists, managers 

such as financial, personnel and project managers; and skilled technical 

employees such as artisans and IT technicians. The shortfall is due to the 

policies of the apartheid era and the slowness of our education and skills 

development institutions to catch up with the current acceleration of economic 

growth.

17 

Eliminating the second economy: Without interventions directly addressed at 

reducing South Africa‟s historical inequalities, growth is unsustainable. 

Interventions to address deep-seated inequalities and that target the 

marginalised poor are interventions to bridge the gap with the second economy, 

ultimately eliminating the second economy. 

Of importance with regards to the governance and institutional interventions, the 

framework for the planning and management of land use was highlighted as a key area 

for institutional reform. Many investment projects are unnecessarily held up by the 

weakness of local or provincial planning and zoning systems, or the cumbersome 

Environmental Impact Assessment system. The EIA system is being reformed so that it 

will reduce unnecessary delays, without sacrificing environmental standards. A 

complimentary activity must be improvements in the planning and zoning systems of 

provincial and local governments. 

2.4 Provincial Housing Policy 

2.4.1 Provincial Growth and Development Plan (PGDP) 

The PGDP is a strategic plan for the medium-to-long range (10 year) which prioritises 

and addresses major structural deficiencies in the economy and the conditions of 

society. The main aim of the Framework Document is to articulate a consensus-based 

vision and quantified targets for Provincial Growth and Development through a clear 

strategy framework. This strategy framework will in turn lay the ground for the generation 

of policy options. 

The need for a strategic approach to growth and development came from the recognition 

that a comprehensive strategic response is needed to poverty and the associated 

structural constraints to growth and development. Also, it was realised that, while 

continued growth of the manufacturing sector is needed, a stronger priority is industrial 

diversification, promotion of linkages into other sectors of the economy with growth 

potential, and promotion of regional linkages. Manufacturing growth must not be limited 

to a modern, export-oriented enclave, but must develop strong supply and value chain 

linkages to agriculture and agro-processing. In addition, the agriculture sector has high 

growth potential in the former homelands as a source of income and employment. 

Provincial agricultural resources have to be mobilized to:- 

‣ Improve the food security of poor households. 

‣ Promote agricultural growth for employment and to provide raw materials for agro 

processing and natural resource based industries. 

‣ To lay the foundations for economic growth in the rural parts of the Province and 

hence change the spatial inequality of growth and development. 

Moreover, a third strategic priority is the development of the Province‟s tourism potential, 

especially the promotion of community based tourism that will allow for broader 

distribution of the benefits of tourism. Tourism development must draw, in a sustainable 

manner, on the rich heritage and natural resources in the Province. One of the logical 

developments of such a broad strategic approach is the prioritization of different sectors 

based on their potential to contribute to poverty eradication and to regional equity in

18 

growth and development. This requires prioritization of interventions in the 

manufacturing, agriculture and tourism sectors that will:- 

‣ Optimise the use of provincial resources to facilitate poverty eradication and job 

Creation. 

‣ Leverage additional public and private resources, particularly for capital 

investment. 

‣ Develop social and economic infrastructure to address backlogs. 

‣ Lead to sustained increases in domestic savings. 

‣ Support technological and workplace innovation. 

‣ Build institutional capacity to plan for and guide economic-development. 

‣ Optimise the role of local government in identifying local economic development 

opportunities, in facilitating targeting of those opportunities, and in coordinating 

Service delivery. 

The following are the underlying principles for the development of the PGDP:- 

‣ State-facilitated growth and development is the strategy that offers the greatest 

possibility of economic change sufficiently deep and sustainable to address the 

problems of poverty and inequality that were the legacy of the apartheid regime. 

‣ In facilitating growth and development, the state requires effective partnerships 

with business, labour and civil society to meet the socio-economic challenges of 

the Province. 

‣ Resources will be directed to ensure that the capacity and efficiency of the state 

are improved in order to meet the challenges of growth and development, 

particularly within the local sphere of government. 

‣ Local government will in future be the primary site for service delivery and 

participatory democracy. This requires good planning for the progressive 

delegation of powers and functions to local government, accompanied by 

sufficient resources. Effective support is therefore needed for the Integrated 

Development Planning process within local government and the effective 

integration of IDPs into Provincial Plans. 

‣ The financing of the PGDP will extend beyond links to the provincial budgeting 

process, to include engagement with national government on the level of fiscal 

transfers, the private banking system and the donor community. These 

engagements should proceed from an analysis of provincial savings and 

investment flows by institutional sectors (households, corporations, and 

government). 

‣ A provincial industrial strategy, based on existing strengths and future 

opportunities at a national and international level, will guide provincial 

interventions, including those in support of industrial development in District 

Municipalities. 

‣ Infrastructure development will be promoted in order to address social backlogs 

and support economic growth. Labour-intensive and community based methods 

will be used for infrastructure delivery wherever possible. This is the year 

immediately proceeding the strategy period and is the year of release of the 

results of Census 2001.

19 

‣ Under no circumstances will any drop in the real incomes of people living below 

the poverty line be tolerated. 

‣ At all times, improvement of the moral fibre of the people of the Eastern Cape will 

be promoted through an integrated crime prevention strategy, an emphasis on 

good governance, and the building of strong households and communities. 

‣ Opportunities for productive employment of women, youth and disabled people 

will be created in all government-sponsored programmes and endeavours to 

influence the extension of such opportunities in the private sector will be 

intensified. To this end, the impact of such programmes will need to be analysed 

to ensure that targeting is appropriate. 

‣ Substantial progress will be made towards the socio-economic rights enshrined 

in the Constitution. These rights pertain to housing, health care, food, water, 

social security, education and just administrative action. 

‣ The HIV/AIDS pandemic will be managed effectively. This includes following an 

integrated approach in terms of which the many dimensions of poverty, health, 

prevention and effective treatment are included. 

‣ Gender perspectives will be analysed at all stages of planning, designing, 

implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the PGDP to ensure the 

development of gender responsive programmes. 

‣ The needs and opportunities associated with the natural environment will be 

considered at all stages of planning, design, implementation, monitoring and 

evaluation of the PGDP. This will require attention to the requirements for 

environmental sustainability both at a strategic and specific project level. 

‣ A comprehensive evaluation of the implementation of the PGDP Strategy 

Framework, as well as its subsidiary strategies, programmes and projects will be 

conducted in 2009. 

Importantly, quantified targets for growth and development in the province for the period 

2004-2014, with 20034 as the base year, have been developed. These targets set out 

expected results in the areas of growth, employment, poverty and income distribution. In 

the second phase of the PGDP they will be further developed into medium term targets 

associated with strategies and programmes. The following are the targets:- 

‣ To maintain an economic growth rate of between 5% and 8% per annum. 

‣ To halve the unemployment rate by 2014. 

‣ To reduce by between 60% and 80% the number of households living below the 

poverty line by 2014. 

‣ To reduce by between 60% and 80% the proportion of people suffering from 

hunger by 2014. 

‣ To establish food self-sufficiency in the Province by 2014. 

‣ To ensure universal primary education (UPE) by 2014, with all children 

proceeding to the first exit point in a secondary education. 

‣ To improve the literacy rate in the Province by 50% by 2014. 

‣ To eliminate gender disparity in education and employment by 2014. 

‣ To reduce by two-thirds the under-five mortality rate by 2014.

20 

‣ To reduce by three-quarters the maternal mortality rate by 2014. 

‣ To halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2014. 

‣ To halt and begin to reverse the spread of tuberculosis by 2014. 

‣ To provide clean water to all in the Province by 2014. 

‣ To eliminate sanitation problems by 2014. 

Of importance, the policy emphasizes the fact that developmental local Government 

requires strengthening of the Integrated Development Planning process within District 

and Local Municipalities, with particular attention paid to issues such as the following: 

planning and project management capacity; financial management capacity; 

decentralisation of service delivery supported by increased and more effective flows of 

fiscal resources to the local sphere; strengthening of ownership of the IDP process by 

local communities, particularly the poor; effective integration of provincial and national 

programmes with Integrated Development Plans; strengthening of partnerships within 

the local sphere of government, particularly with civil society organisations supporting 

the strengthening of livelihoods at the household level. 

The failure to seriously address these institutional and capacity requirements will 

undermine the consolidation of local democracy, as well as compromise the 

implementation of the PGDP in the same manner that the failure to adequately deal with 

capacity constraints in provincial government compromised implementation of the 

PGDS. 

3. PARTICIPATORY PROCESS 

Public participation as it is the most powerful tool that shapes development practices will 

form one of the principles of this HSP. This process will ensure involvement of different 

actors, such as stakeholders, beneficiaries, the local community, the poor and the 

disadvantaged. It is a process through which people, especially the disadvantaged 

group, influence resource allocation and policy and program formulation and 

implementation. The quality of this HSP process is dependant on the level of 

involvement and participation of the interested and affected parties. This is a democratic 

process through which actors are requested to identify their needs, voice their demands 

in order contribute to the improvement of their livelihoods. 

These actors will be involved in all the phases of planning process. This means that the 

process promotes decentralization of resource allocation and enhances transparency 

and accountability in the management of public goods. It is also an important factor in 

the efficiency and effectiveness of the project design and implementation. Although the 

process itself can be time consuming, the involvement gives the local community a 

sense of ownership and a sense of responsibility thereby guaranteeing better project 

performance 

The planning process of the development of this HSP follows that of the IDP and will be 

undertaken in five phases:- 

• Phase 1: Project Inception

21 

At this stage the project vision was identified and a detail project plan was developed. 

This was followed by a project introductory session, whereby the project was introduced 

to both local and district municipalities. Institutional Arrangements were discussed to 

guarantee community involvement. A project Inception report was submitted to the 

DHLGTA to also keep them informed of the processes. 

• Phase 2: Desktop Analysis Report 

The desktop analysis phase requires that data be collected and collated into a report. 

This gives an overview of the municipality‟s current situation with regards to housing 

development and management. Taking into consideration the municipality‟s IDP and 

SDF, information on the municipality‟s housing needs and demands were revealed. A 

report is then compiled, which enables an informed assessment of the level of housing 

development to be undertaken within the municipality. This report will be presented in 

order to provide the municipality with information on the status and also to get an 

understanding of the current conditions. 

• Phase 3: Data Analysis – Interpretation 

This phase involves the development and administration of a questionnaire. Unlike the 

previous phase this phase will be more interactive. It aims to acquire more detailed and 

updated information on the municipality‟s housing situation. This includes an 

investigation of housing backlog/need, land availability, access to infrastructure and 

loans as well as the human resource capacity to deal with housing issues within the 

municipality. Field work will also be undertaken to physically engage with the key issues 

affecting the municipality as well as investigations on particular issues of critical 

importance to housing. This is followed by a community workshop at a local level, which 

aims to identify and discuss all the key issues and challenges affecting housing 

development. A District Coordinating Committee Meeting where all the municipalities 

will be represented will also be held. All the Information is then analyzed and collated to 

form a consolidated situation analysis report. 

• Phase 4: Formulation of a Housing Strategy 

After all key issues have been identified, a goal and vision stating where the municipality 

would like to go in terms of housing delivery is developed. Objectives and strategies on 

how to achieve this vision is thereafter developed. Careful consideration of all the above 

challenges and available resources and potential needs to be considered. At this stage 

the municipality will find more appropriate, innovative and cost-effective solutions for 

resolving the identified issues. Again community workshops will be held and a report will 

then be produced detailing the housing vision, goals, objectives and strategies. 

• Phase 5: Final Housing Sector Plan 

This final phase deals with the identification of actions that will be undertaken in order to 

achieve realistic solutions for effective housing development. A draft Housing Sector 

Plan (HSP) will be prepared, with an implementation plan. A workshop will be held to 

discuss and agree on the quantum targets and budget requirements for all the Key 

Performance Areas. This ensures an implementable HSP. The draft HSP will then be 

presented to Council for approval and will be reviewed annually.

22 

4. THE EXISTING SITUATION 

4.1 Location 

Intsika Yethu Local Municipality is located within the Chris Hani District Municipality of 

the Eastern Cape to the east of Queenstown on the R61 linking to Mthatha.. The two 

towns within the area are Cofimvaba and Tsomo. The rural residential component 

comprises 213 villages scattered throughout the municipal area. 

4.2 The Natural Environment 

4.2.1 Topography 

The municipal area is located in the Grassland Biome with limited areas of 

natural forest. The area is characterized by incised river valleys and hilltops of 

similar altitude. There are four primary drainage systems, the Xonxa, Ncora, 

Lubisi and Tsojana rivers. The first three of these rivers have been dammed to 

create large water impoundments suitable for large scale irrigation schemes. 

4.2.2 Climate 

The climate of the area is typified by hot summers and cool dry winters. Rainfall 

is between 700 – 800mm. per annum which falls in summer. Temperatures are 

moderate and frost occurs from May to September. Spring is generally dry and 

windy often followed by heavy early summer rains which make the soil cover 

highly vulnerable to erosion. Average daytime temperature in summer is 20 

degrees C. Prevailing wind in winter is from the north known as a berg wind 

which is hot and dry, whilst summer winds are from the south east and south 

west.. 

4.2.3 Soils and Geology 

The dominant geological types are volcanic intrusions and sandstone of the 

Clarens Group which is generally resistant to erosion. Below the sandstone are 

red and purple mudstones together with shale. The soils in the area are 

categorized as shallow to moderately deep and highly weathered. 

4.2.4 Environmental Considerations 

Unpredictable weather patterns impose a limited range of agricultural activities. 

This, combined with overstocking and poor veld management and farming 

techniques has resulted in serious land degradation, particularly noticeable on 

non commercial farmland adjacent to village communities. From a housing 

perspective the area experiences numerous storms with hail and high winds

23 

during the summer rainfall season. This results in housing damage, particularly 

with roofing being blown off and structures being blown down. There are also 

widespread veld fires which threaten settlements during the drier winter seasons. 

4.3 Spatial Context 

Spatial Analysis – Tsomo and Cofimvaba Towns 

Informal Trading 

The lack of regulations of informal trading activities is evident in both towns. Informal 

trading operates under unhygienic conditions e.g. one finds a food stall located next to a 

hairdresser, whilst some unhygienic practices like use of open land instead of toilets 

occur next to these food stalls. These informal activities also have littering implications 

which are unacceptable and need to be addressed. 

Informal traders need to be provided with properly covered hawker stalls. A system 

whereby they operate with licences is in place but will have to be enforced. There is also 

a need to identify sites where these informal traders should relocate. However, they will 

have to be strategically located so as not to be sensitive to their business interests and 

preferences as hawkers. 

Lack of Updated Zoning Schemes 

No proper records are kept in the record keeping of sites and therefore there is a lack of 

information of property owners, their uses and what they were/are zoned for. These 

results in some activities happening in areas zoned for other specific uses e.g. 

businesses operating in residential sites. The main factor contributing to this occurrence 

is the lack of institutional capacity to deal with zoning and development control and 

management. There is a need for the municipality to be equipped with proper 

institutional capacity and proper technology i.e. GIS systems. 

Littering 

There is marked littering along the main roads and around community ranks. This could 

be attributed to the lack of awareness of how littering degrades the environment. There 

is also little or no visibility of rubbish bins in the towns. A proper site for waste disposal 

needs to be identified. Co-ordinated efforts should be made to implement cleaning 

campaigns to curb the unacceptable littering in the towns. This situation must be 

managed using municipal policies and by-laws. 

Taxi Ranks Congesting Main Roads 

Taxis are more visible on the main roads. There are plans in place to relocate taxi ranks 

to designated areas. By-laws should be established and enforced to ensure that taxis 

operate within these areas and do not cause congestion by making the main roads their 

loading zones. Hawkers should also be relocated to these designated taxi ranks as this 

is a strategic business territory for them. 

4.3.1 Urbanisation 

Communities in the rural areas have little or no access to adequate services such as 

electricity, water, clinics, or schools. The lack of job opportunities is also another area of 

concern that further aggravates poverty in Intsika Yethu. Rural communities are then 

forced to move to the urban areas in search of better standards of living. This results in

24 

the visibility of informal settlements on the fringes of Cofimvaba and Tsomo. Coupled 

with efforts to make available basic services to the poor the municipality should embark 

on the creation of employment opportunities. In its plan the municipality should make 

rural development a priority so as to lessen the migration of people to urban areas. 

The increasing migration rate puts pressure on the municipality to provide housing in the 

towns. There is an obvious need for pro-active planning . 

4.3.2 Settlements 

Settlements are divided into 2 distinctive types, namely rural and urban. Around the 

urban settlements there is relative visibility of urban sprawl. The rural settlements are 

also sparsely scattered all over the municipal area with the largest concentration of 

pockets found along the main access routes. Surrounding villages are huge tracts of 

bare arable land. There is need to create compact rural villages which will facilitate 

economical provision of services and infrastructure. 

4.4 Demography. 

According to 2001 census information 194 246 persons live in Intsika Yethu 

municipality, which represents 22% of the Chris Hani District Municipality population. 

This population figure represents 44 768 households, at an average household size of 

4.3 persons per household. Two further population estimates undertaken in 2005 

concluded that the population size and the number of households had remained 

unchanged since the 2001 census. Population growth is clearly very low. 

The Bureau of Market Research publication of 2005 and Global Insight projections 

(2005) also estimated the population of Intsika Yethu to around the same levels (194 

000 people and 45 000 households), however according to municipal sources the 

population in 2007 was estimated at 167 050 (Global Insight and STATSA). Should this 

be correct, the population decrease would have serious implications for housing delivery 

in the area. The Community Survey 2007 (Stats SA) shows the population to be 185 

344. The 5 year population forecast based on this figure can be found in the tables in 

the Appendices. 

Population spatial distribution 

Rural / Farms 

0% 

Urban 

3% 

Peri-urban 

2% 

Rural / Villages 

95%

25 

Itsika Yethu is the largest and most rural municipality in the Chris Hani District when 

comparative figures are reviewed for all the municipalities in the area. 

4.4.1 Household income 

Household income is a useful proxy for understanding levels of poverty. The analysis 

(RSS 2006) of monthly household income distribution within the Intsika Yethu 

municipality shows that an estimated 76% of households can be regarded as poor with 

gross monthly incomes of less than R1500. The figure below compares the household 

income distribution of the Intsika Yethu with other municipalities in the district. 

63 

Household Income Distribution 

76 

71 

75.3 75.9 

59.9 

57.2 

50.6 

Inxuba Tsolwana Inkwanca Lukhanji Intsika 

Yethemba 

Yethu 

Emalahleni Engcobo Sakhisizwe 

% HH income less than R1500/month 

It shows that Intsika Yethu has the highest number of households receiving incomes of 

less than R1500 per month within the district. This implies the need for the municipality 

to invest in building its local economy so as to create income generating opportunities 

and livelihood security nests for its communities. 

The updated earnings from the Community survey 2007 can be found in the table sin the 

Appendices 

4.4.2 Unemployment 

Unemployment in the municipality is very high. There is an urgent need to invest in 

sustainable economic growth and poverty alleviation to relieve local residents of the 

agony of poverty and unemployment. Recent survey by RSS (2006) estimated 

unemployment rate of Intsika Yethu to be as high as 87.1%. When compared to the 

district as whole, Intsika Yethu municipality remains the worst affected. 

The figure below shows a comparative picture.

% 

26 

Comparative unemployment distribution 

74.4 82.2 82.9 71 

87.1 

73.3 

82.1 

80 

Inxuba 

Yethemba 

Tsolwana Inkwanca Lukhanji Intsika 

Yethu 

% unemployed 

Emalahleni Engcobo Sakhisizwe 

4.4.3 Age and gender 

The gender ratio indicates that 55% of the municipality‟s population are females, whilst 

45% are males. The most probable explanation to this phenomenon is the exodus of the 

adult male population to seek work opportunities outside municipal towns. The disparity 

is more than that of the national average of 49% male and 51% female. 

Since females form the greater portion of the economically active population age groups 

15 to 64 years, it will be strategic for the municipality to increase their participation in 

local governance and decision making issues. 

A study of the age structure revealed that the bulk of the population, about 60%, are 

children in the school going age group (0 – 19 years). About 7% falls within the pension 

age group. Only 33% are in the working age group (20 – 64 years). This means that 

there is high dependency ratio as the 67% of the population depend on the 33% 

workforce in the area. This is indicated in the chart below. 

Age Unknown 

Over 65 

50-64 

Category 

30-49 

20-29 

5-19 

0-4 

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 

4.5 Planning Context

27 

4.5.1 Integrated Development Plan 

VISION 

“A vibrant developmental municipality that seeks to provide sound governance and 

ensure sustainable development of its economy and people in an effective and efficient 

manner” 

Mission 

To achieve the above vision the municipality commits to the mission of ensuring and 

striving to achieve: 

Effective community participation 

Competent and efficient administration 

Rendering sustainable and affordable services 

Integration of services and activities in order to accelerate delivery 

Sustainable economic growth 

Adherence to sound environmental principles 

Good governance and accountability 

The IDP schedules key clusters and prioritises activities within the cluster: 

Finance, Governance & Admin. Cluster. 

Functional administration / administrative oversight 

Intergovernmental relations 

Policies and by laws 

Public participation 

Support to council political leadership 

Financial viability 

Budgeting 

Financial reporting and credit control 

Property valuation and billing 

Financial policies 

HR policies 

Indigent policy 

Work place skills plan 

Equity plan and transformation 

Economic Development and Planning Cluster 

LED 

Poverty alleviation 

Markets 

Street trading 

Local tourism 

Fencing 

Environmental management 

Municipal planning 

Housing and settlement planning 

Integrated development planning 

Performance management system 

Spatial development framework 

Table below is an extract of the above mentioned cluster 

KPA OBJ Strategy Ward Project Description Fund Source 2007/8 2008/9 2209/10 

NO Code No. 

Housing 1-23 Develop and implement a DHLGTA, 0.00 0.00 0.00

28 

and land 

reform 

housing sector plan 

02,03 Housing survey and 

07-09 planning of settlements 

06 Planning and development 

of rural housing in Lubisi 

(1600 units) 

09 State land disposal of Erf 

186 (800ha) 

09,14 Provision of low income 

housing development 

09 Establishment of medium to 

high income housing 

development project 

04 St Marks housing 

development project 

CHDM, IYM 

DLA 13 957 

890 

0.00 0.00 

DHLGTA,CHDM, 0.00 0.00 0.00 

IYM 

DLA 0.00 0.00 0.00 

DHLGTA, 

CHDM, IYM 

DHLGTA, CHDM 

IYM 

DHLGTA 5 300 

000 

0.00 0.00 0.00 

0.00 0.00 0.00 

Social Needs Cluster 

Disaster management 

Municipal health 

Special programmes 

Education 

Cemeteries 

Cleansing 

Waste management 

Pound management 

Public safety and traffic 

Public spaces and parks 

Amenities 

Community facilities 

Licensing of dogs control of liquor selling outlets 

Control and inspection of food selling outlets 

Public transport 

Street lighting 

Technical Services Cluster 

Water supply provision 

Sanitation service provision 

Electricity 

Roads and storm water 

Telecommunications 

Municipal public works 

Facilitation of EPWP implementation 

The IDP schedules in detail the clustered prioritized list of projects based on the clusters 

identified in above. 

4.5.2 Integration and Alignment of Sector Plans 

Spatial Development Framework 

The SDF could not be reviewed during 2006/7 and will be reviewed during 2007/8 IDP 

review. This is discussed in greater detail below.

29 

Waste Management Plan 

The existing plan will be reviewed in 2007/8 

Institutional Plan 

The municipality has commissioned a project to redesign the organogram in line with a 

new proposed institutional structure. 

LED Strategy 

The process of preparing an LED strategy has been implemented to guide and grow the 

local economy. The vision for economic growth in Intsika Yethu is “a growing, diverse 

and inclusive economic hub characterized by its sustainable job creating and value 

adding activities.” The activities which will underpin this economic growth are seen as: 

* Agro processing 

* Forestry development and timber processing 

* Tourism development 

* Human development 

* SMME development 

* Governance and institutional capacity 

* Sustainable villages 

The principles developed to achieve this strategy are: 

* Beneficial partnerships 

* Good governance and leadership 

* Job creation 

* Positive mindset change 

* Entrepreneurship 

* plugging leakages 

* Sustainability and research 

Challenges to the growth of economic development in Intsika Yethu are noted in the IDP 

as: 

Lack of support and planning for guiding investments in the retail, tourism and 

agricultural sectors 

Limited private sector investment in the municipal area – particularly so in the 

rural areas 

The level of skills in the municipal area is low and the skills that are available are 

not to be found in the economic opportunity areas of agriculture, tourism and 

retail development 

Savings levels are very low due to the very low household disposable income 

level 

Poor access to markets, particularly for small scale rural farmers 

There is a lack of support for small and emerging entrepreneurs 

Poor infrastructure to support business development particularly in agricultural 

development 

The land tenure system is counter productive to economic farming enterprise 

The LED framework will be informed by: 

The Provincial Growth and Development Strategy ( PGDS) 

Various national and provincial departmental programmes. Within such sectors 

the only reference to any housing programmes are the Tenure Reform and State 

Land Disposal programmes of DLA. 

Environmental Management

30 

Environmental management is an area identified in the IDP requiring immediate and 

dedicated attention. Environmental degradation reduces economic potential of the 

municipal area and the preparation of an Environmental Management Plan is long 

overdue. The following matters are identified as reasons for serious concern: 

High levels of soil erosion due to poor stock management 

Surface run off pollution 

High potential for the contamination of underground water sources due to the 

large number of informal burial sites and the extensive use of unlined pit latrines 

Pollution of rivers resulting from poorly managed sewage treatment plants 

Employment Equity Plan 

The municipality has adopted an Employment Equity Plan for the period 1/7/06 to 

30/6/09. The plan seeks to populate the organogram in a manner which reflects the 

demographics of the labour force in the region. The plan further seeks to remove all 

barriers that historically disadvantaged persons face as they enter the labour market. 

4.5.3 Spatial Development Framework Plan 

The SDF is regarded as an integral part of the IDP and seeks to give a spatial dimension 

to the strategic findings of the IDP. This section therefore complements Section 4.4.1 

above and details relevant aspects thereof. A copy of the SDF Plan is depicted in the 

appendices. 

Basic Characteristics: An assessment of the spatial and socio economic characteristics 

of Intsika Yethu established the framework for the municipal SDF and in this regard the 

IDP noted the following: 

The municipality is predominantly rural and the output of an SDF should 

empower rural communities 

The western part of the municipality has real potential for agricultural 

development 

There is an uneven distribution of services between urban and rural areas 

Economic activity is concentrated in Tsomo and Cofimvaba 

The dispersed nature of settlements implies a high cost solution to fulfill the 

basic needs of all residents 

A strategic approach is required to guide investment towards prioritized 

geographic areas 

The Eastern Cape Provincial Spatial Development Framework ( ECPSDF). The 

Eastern Cape Provincial Spatial Development Framework ( ECPSDF) notes three basic 

avenues of approach which should be pursued in any municipal SDF : 

Concentration of investment 

Investment channeled to nodal areas 

Boosting local economic development 

The above fundamentals are expressed in the following spatial guidelines: 

Identify a settlement hierarchy to promote nodes and corridors 

Identify flexible zones to promote different types of special investment 

Identify sustainable resources 

Identify restricted development zones to ensure that development does not take 

place in environmentally sensitive areas

31 

Encourage and enable poor people to access resources 

Utilize spatial integration as a means of integrating communities 

The ECPSDF notes further that there are three basic levels of approach for strategic 

investment: 

Level 1: Basic needs to all. Providing basic needs at a minimum level to all 

communities based on available resources and the development of existing 

infrastructure 

Level 2: Capacity building. Developing local capacity through sound 

management of public sector funding 

Level 3: Targeted focus areas. Development zones, nodal areas and 

corridors with economic development potential must be provided with adequate 

development funding. 

The above features of the ECPSDF form the building blocks of the Intsika Yethu SDF. 

Urban Node Proposals: The following land development proposals for the two 

identified urban nodes of Cofimvaba and Tsomo are noted in the SDF: 

Cofimvaba: 

Tsomo: 

An area between the prison and “pilot housing” has been identified for 

middle income housing 

Across the river, to the south of the town, there is land suitable for 

agricultural development to encourage small scale farming 

Vacant municipal land adjacent to the old hotel is available for additional 

industrial development. Additionally, land is set aside for industrial use to 

the east of Ext.3 on the R61. 

Housing, in the form of flats, mixed with business is recommended on 

vacant municipal land on the road to Queenstown 

Additional land for sewage ponds and a solid waste site needs to be 

identified ( no sites identified in SDF) 

Expansion of the existing cemetery has been proposed 

The large area of land opposite the hospital has been identified for 

institutional development 

Densification ( residential ) will take place between Ext 3 and the existing town 

The developing area between Ext 2 and the town will further densify 

A taxi rank across the road from Ext 3 is recommended 

The existing sewage ponds and solid waste site require engineering 

investigations 

Secondary Node Proposals: These are rural nodes where the focus is on 

development planning for households dependent upon agricultural development. The 

key target areas are land reform and rural housing projects: 

Ncora 

This area has a long agricultural development history and in the 1970‟s was 

the subject of a major dam construction and previous irrigation projects.

32 

There is a need for mobilization of funds to reinstate the irrigation and 

agricultural potential of the area. 

There is existing infrastructure which could be improved and utilized for 

training, research and development of skills for adjacent communities 

Sustainable fish farming in the dam represents a vast potential to be 

investigated 

There is existing potential for large scale production of irrigable crops 

Qamata 

This former irrigation scheme area should be investigated for major crop 

production 

Small scale farming could be successfully introduced 

An EIA is required to initiate new production areas 

There is potential for the establishment of a game reserve and LED spin-offs 

Bilatye 

This area has been earmarked for wheat production and the establishment of 

an agricultural village 

Electricity needs to be provided 

Investigations required for dam construction 

Lubisi 

Sabalele 

There is high potential for fish farming in the dam coupled with tourism 

development based upon sport fishing 

All necessary requirements such as an EIA should be initiated 

This area has potential for tourism development based upon a proposed 

national monument 

Land Use Management System ( LUMS) 

The objective of the LUMS is to create a management tool to ensure that the 

recommended spatial form of development is achieved. Land use management in both 

Cofimvaba and Tsomo is achieved to some extent through the use of a very outdated 

Town Planning Scheme which is implemented by the municipality. There is no proper 

land use management effected in the balance of the municipal area – input is made by 

appropriate state departments such as Depts. of Agriculture and Land Affairs. Despite 

the absence of a proper land use management platform, the IDP notes that a LUMS will 

achieve the following: 

Regulation of land use changes 

Regulation of subdivision and consolidation of land parcels 

Regulate use of commonage 

Regulate and upgrade informal settlements 

Facilitate land development 

Intsika Yethu municipality will deal with land use management in terms of the different 

levels of nodal development viz: 

The primary nodes of Cofimvaba and Tsomo 

The identified priority secondary nodes

33 

Other secondary nodes 

The Primary Nodes of Cofimvaba and Tsomo 

Ensure proper management of development control through all available 

statutory procedures 

Maintain proper up to date records of all aspects of land change 

Ensure the central area of each town is functional – eg. Parking provision, 

public ablutions etc. 

No development should take place without the approval of the Municipality and 

where necessary the approval of the Townships Board 

The municipality should be proactive in land development to ensure orderly 

development of the town 

The municipality should encourage densification of the town 

Identify, develop and maintain suitable open areas as a public park 

Manage traffic movement and parking in the central areas of the towns 

Promote housing development to avoid the illegal occupation of land 

Encourage small scale agriculture in areas specified in the SDF 

Protect the natural environment in towns and ensure no development takes 

place in sensitive areas 

Ensure adequate reservations are made for solid waste disposal, sewage 

treatment and water treatment 

Priority Secondary Nodes 

Prevent land invasions and ensure the growth of rural settlements does 

consume viable agricultural land 

Work with the Dept. of Agriculture to identify prime agricultural land and ensure 

that such land is used for agricultural production 

Identify vacant land suitable for settlement purposes 

Protect all sensitive natural areas 

Protect heritage sites, historical buildings, cemeteries and graves 

Other Identified Secondary Nodes 

These are nodes to be dealt with as above – the only difference is that these nodes are 

not prioritized for development purposes. 

Additional Categories of the Intsika Yethu LUMS: Apart from the above nodal areas 

the SDF categorises the following further aspects of the LUMS proposal: 

Tourism Development Areas: Sabalele and Ncora are identified as tourism 

development areas. To promote these areas the following is recommended in 

the SDF : 

* promotion of environmentally sensitive infrastructure 

* Degraded areas in tourism development areas should be rehabilitated 

* protect sensitive environmental areas 

* coordinate all role players 

* Ensure all relevant legislation is followed 

Agricultural Development Areas : The following requirements are noted in the 

SDF : 

* Conservation of prime agricultural land 

* utilize STEP programme findings 

* Provision of training and skills development programmes

34 

* undertake land suitability studies 

Forestry Development Areas : The following requirements are noted in the 

SDF : 

* Management of forestry areas to be implemented with the assistance of 

DWAF 

* Protect natural forests 

* Improve management capacity of forest administration 

Land Development Policies and Guidelines : The SDF notes that the following 

policies and guidelines need to be developed as a matter of urgency : 

* Policy on development of prime and sensitive environmental areas and 

Agricultural land 

* Policy on hawkers and appropriate management of informal trade 

* Policy on containers for retail purposes with particular reference to cell 

Phones 

* Policy on spaza shops in residential areas 

* Policy on operation of taverns 

* Policy for leasing municipal properties 

Unfortunately the Spatial Development Framework Plan does not contain a map 

depicting the SDF and we are unable to source this map for inclusion into this document 

4.6 Municipal Infrastructure 

4.6.1 Water and Sanitation 

Chris Hani District Municipality is both the Water Services Authority and Water Services 

Provider for all areas in Intsika Yethu municipality. However the local municipality 

monitors service provision and household access to such service and makes 

representation to the water authority when necessary. Water supply backlogs still exist 

and the water authority has appointed a consultant to undertake service provision in 

rural areas, whilst attending to the supply in urban areas from its own resources. It is 

estimated that 47.% of households in the municipal area lack water a water supply, 

whilst 38% receive water from an RDP level stand pipe, 11% receive water from 

boreholes and 4% have yard connections. 

HOUSEHOLD WATER SUPPLY 

TYPE 

PERCENTAGE 

YARD CONNECTION 4 

BOREHOLE 11 

STAND PIPE 38 

NO SUPPLY 47 

Sanitation backlogs are very high, particularly in rural areas and are estimated to be 

85%.

35 

OVERALL SANITATION PROVISION 

TYPE 

PERCENTAGE 

WATERBORNE 0,9 

VIP 53.2 

BUCKET 0.2 

NO SERVICE 45,7 

The District Municipality estimated in 2006 that an amount of R 112 million would be 

required to reverse the current water and sanitation backlogs – R80m for water and R32 

for sanitation. 

4.6.2 Refuse Removal 

Intsika Yethu municipality is responsible for providing refuse removal service to its areas 

of jurisdiction. Since the establishment of Intsika Yethu municipality in 2000, this service 

has generally been provided to urban areas of Cofimvaba and Tsomo only. Rural areas 

are generally using a range of temporary mechanisms such as own dump within the 

yard, illegal damp sites and mobile tankers. 

According to recent statistics only 2% of households have access to weekly refuse 

removal service. Another 1% receives regular but adhoc collections from the 

municipality. A further 1% utilises communal dumps while 36% is underserved. About 

60% in mostly rural areas, utilize own means such as burning waste or disposing it within 

their yards. The latter two categories can be defined as clear backlog for waste removal 

service in Intsika Yethu. 

4.6.3 Electricity Supply 

Eskom is a sole provider of electricity services in the Intsika Yethu jurisdictional areas. 

The municipality‟s role is currently to facilitate the implementation and communicate with 

Eskom regarding areas of priority for connections. Backlogs in electricity connections 

remain high for most areas in the municipality. 

The backlog for electricity household connections is estimated by RSS survey of 2006 to 

be equal to 44% of households. The survey revealed that only 56% households currently 

have household electricity connections. 

4.6.4 Roads and Storm water 

The municipality is responsible for the construction, maintenance and upgrading of local 

access roads and stormwater infrastructure. Other roads are a responsibility of the 

District, Province and National department of Transport. 

The entire road network of mainly gravel roads is generally in poor conditions and in dire 

need upgrading and maintenance. There is an estimated 50 kilometres of tarred roads 

which are largely main distributor level roads such as R61 linking major towns of 

Queenstown and Umtata as well as the newly resurfaced route linking R61 through 

Tsomo to N2 going to East London. Of the tarred roads, a length about 5km or so are 

urban access roads within towns of Cofimvaba and Tsomo. 

It is difficult to quantify the extent of proclaimed gravel access roads but observations by 

Public Works officials approximate them to 600km in length. Of this amount of gravelled 

roads, the Department of Roads and Transport in the Eastern Cape has budgeted to 

maintain and upgrade approximately 288km of gravelled roads in Intsika Yethu during 

2007/8 financial year at a cost of R892 000.

36 

4.7 Housing Situation 

4.7.1 Introduction 

There is little progress being made in housing delivery at present due to institutional 

capacity shortages, limited access to land and the lack of funding provided by the 

Provincial Department of Housing. 

4.7.2 Housing Need / Demand 

A formal housing waiting list is maintained by the Municipality which indicates that there 

are in excess of 2000 families which require housing. The municipality has initiated 

housing projects which should generate 3743 sites. However, the following demand was 

identified; 

‣ In situ upgrade : currently 3401 units located in Wards 9 and 14 

‣ Income group < R3500 : 500 units required to be located in wards 4 

‣ Income group R3500 – R7500 : 142 units required to be located in Ward 9 

In addition, there are 120 houses awaiting repairs from disasters which occurred during 

2007. Many other homes are still not repaired from disasters which occurred prior to 

2007. 

The number of households in the municipal area earning below R3500 is estimated to be 

in excess of 75% of the total number of households. The IDP states that the anticipated 

population growth rate over the following ten years is likely to be level, however more 

recent estimates suggest that the population is declining. This would also imply that 

there could be expected to be a decline in housing demand over time. 

4.7.3 Housing Supply / Type. 

The municipality is characterized by a largely rural settlement character. These 

settlements are clustered on ridges and along the roads with a variety of housing 

structures built out of mud brick, block and brick walls. Roofing varies from thatch to tiles 

or to corrugated iron. In the two towns of Tsomo and Cofimvaba, there are informal 

structures and back yard shacks behind larger houses built from brick and blocks. 

The table below is a summary of the statistics found on the Statistics South Africa 

website. (The number of private ship/boat is queried as to its source)

37 

House or brick structure on a separate stand or yard 8 293 

Traditional dwelling/hut/structure made of traditional materials 29 561 

Flat in block of flats 1 266 

Town/cluster/semi=detached house(simplex; duplex; triplex 91 

House/flat/room in back yard 573 

Informal dwelling/ shack in back yard 206 

Informal dwelling/ shack NOT in back yard 322 

Room/flatlet not in back yard but on shared property 151 

Caravan or tent 23 

Private ship/boat 2 

40 488 

(Source – Statistics South Africa – Census 2001) 

Updated housing figures sourced from the Community Survey 2007 can be found in the 

tables in the Appendices. 

It is a characteristic of this area that many settlements are located at the foot of hills and 

mountains. Problems are experienced with storm water run off and flooding due to the 

steep hill sides. Some of the soils have a clay content which affects structural strength of 

walls and floors. In areas close to the hill sides, large rocky outcrops result in high costs 

for the provision of services.. 

4.7.4 Land Availability 

Municipal commonage land is available for future housing development. These sites are 

well located in relation to work opportunities, social amenities and other basic services. 

The existence of communal and informal land ownership systems in the rural parts of the 

municipal area is a major challenge to development because it locks strategic resources 

(land) which is needed for improving the lives of rural people. There is a commitment by 

the Department of Land Affairs to transform land tenure so that rural households living in 

traditional or communal lands can have access to land ownership. 

Current initiatives in the areas of Land Reform, Survey and Planning as well as Housing 

are listed below with amounts of committed budgets where information exists. 

Land 

Affairs 

Tenure 

Reform 

State Land 

Disposal 

Housing, Survey and 

Planning 

Erf 186 (800 ha), 

16,17,33,36,152,185 

Ward 2,3,7 

and 8 

R 12,296,040 

Ekuphumleni R 1,661,850 

Cofimvaba 

Public 

infrastructure 

Construction 

Maintenance 

& 

Budget 

unknown 

Public 

Works 

State land 

Roads 

Facilitate transfers 

and release for 

development 

Construction & 

Maintenance

38 

Land Use 

Management 

(Valuations & 

Survey) 

Support conduct of 

valuations and land 

surveys 

NB: 

district 

entire 

R 1,680,000 

LG 

Housing & 

Traditional 

Affairs 

IDP / PMS 

LED 

Disaster 

Management 

Including fire-fighting 

NB: 

district 

NB: 

district 

NB: 

district 

entire 

entire 

entire 

R 1,727,000 

R 2,410,000 

R 3,708,000 

Capacity 

Building 

support 

MIG 

Finance mentoring, 

by-laws & policies, 

asset registers, ICT, 

Councilor training 

NB: 

district 

NB: 

district 

entire 

entire 

R 33,024,000 

R 

198,646,645 

Through these initiatives the department is intending to contribute towards tenure 

improvements and increasing access to land by especially rural households. 

There are some land claims within the municipal area and these can be seen on the 

table below; 

Cofimvaba 

Cofimvaba 

Communal areas 

Gwatyu 

Cofimvaba Thembani settlement 231/2 

Cofimvaba 

Cofimvaba 

Cofimvaba 

St Johns 

Isolethu 

St John's Bolotwa 

(Siyazama Asociation) 

Erf 586 Bolotwa 

4.7.5 Current Housing Projects 

The municipality has initiated 11 housing projects which will generate 3 743 residential 

sites to supply an identified waiting list of 2 000 households and upgrade shacks 

occupied in informal settlements. However many of these projects are stalled for a 

variety of reasons, including the moratorium on funding by the Department of Housing, 

land tenure problems and infrastructure capacity in certain areas. According to the 

information provided housing subsidies have been approved for the St Marks project 

which is under construction. 

The following schedule indicates housing proposals in this regard. Some are approved 

townships, whilst others are beset with matters such as Section 28(1) Certificates and 

non approval of housing funds ; 

Enyanisweni : 431 proposed sites : Township register opened : Funds not 

approved

39 

Ekuphumleni : 820 proposed sites : project funding insufficient 

Thabo Village : 348 proposed sites : Planning and Survey funded 

Ext 7 : planning and survey initiated – no funding 

Tsomo Ext.2 : application submitted to DoH 

Tsomo Ext.3 : application submitted to DoH 

Tsomo Ext4 : 300 sites planned : application being prepared for Townships 

Board 

Lubisi Mcambalala Development : 2 400 proposed sites : 1 000 submitted to DoH 

St Marks housing : 500 approved subsidies : Infrastructure being constructed 

Joe Slovo : 587 subsidies awaited; Tachy Survey completed but delayed due to 

the land not being transferred from DWAF to the municipality; 

Ext.1 Cofimvaba: 142 proposed sites : approval of Townships Board awaited 

4.7.6 Planned Housing Projects 

The municipality plans on submitting a project proposal for Mahfubini Thabo village for 

348 subsidies. The project is in the layout planning phase. 

4.7.7 Social and Rental Housing 

No Social or Rental housing projects are being considered within the next five years 

4.7.8 Proposed Rural Housing 

The Municipality is embarking upon a rural housing project involving some 8 565 houses 

as per the tables below 

Chris Hani Rural Housing Phase 1 

Ward No Village Population Households 

01 Lower Sabalele 2,718 500 

01 Upper Sabalele 992 132 

03 Ntshingeni 3,987 1,288 

01 Gudwana 762 500 

02 Mtimbini 375 75 

04 Ntlakokwefolo 1,800 600 

04 St. Marks 800 350 

03 Bolokodlela 1,800 448 

Chris Hani Rural Housing Phase 2 

Ward No Village Population Households 

01 Hoyita 711 124 

01 Ntshintshi 670 118 

01 Zigudu 856 126 

01 Banzi 865 130 

01 Boomplaas 768 128 

01 Exani 1,004 134 

02 Chamama 1,450 127 

01 Engxingweni 600 122

40 

Vuyisile Mini Rural Housing Phase 1 

Ward No. Village Population Household 

11 Matafeni 1,580 316 

11 Jojweni (Mhlahlane) 1,170 234 

11 Mzantzi 70 14 

11 Komkhulu 920 184 

11 Nzaba 250 56 

10 Mahlubini 3,945 131 

10 Majwareni 500 100 

Vuyisile Mini Rural Housing Phase 2 

Ward No. Village Population Household 

12 Mdletyeni 630 105 

12 Majavu 150 25 

12 Luxeni 654 109 

12 Qesha 240 40 

12 Luqolweni 270 45 

12 Ngceza 780 130 

12 Mgxobozweni 222 37 

12 Bulawayo 240 40 

12 Mome 300 50 

12 Chitheka 300 50 

12 Mmfengwini 480 80 

12 Phikweni 510 85 

12 Mkhuthukeni 300 50 

12 Ntlabathini 690 115 

12 Lower Tsojana 1,644 169 

12 Ngojini 400 397 

12 Mission 355 100 

12 Qwili 900 250 

12 Ngali 450 140 

12 Kwezana 500 250 

12 Ngonyama 966 161 

12 Mtyamde 1,200 200 

(See the spreadsheets of proposed projects for a condensed budget of the above 

project) 

4.8 Municipal Institutional Framework 

For purposes of administration the organization is structured into five departments, viz 

Municipal manager, community services, corporate services, finance, works. The IDP 

notes that the managerial skill and experience available is very limited. It is further noted 

that the Municipal manager function is carried out in an acting capacity by the Chief 

Accounting Officer, a situation which has led to poor performance in both positions. 

The municipality has an established Housing Division comprising four approved 

positions. Only two are filled positions. The municipality does not have an approved 

housing policy and uses consultants for support in design and implementation of housing

41 

projects. The municipality undertakes beneficiary identification, dealings with DoH and 

financial control. The SDF is used as a basis for directing new housing projects. 

DEPARTMENTAL STAFF DISTRIBUTION 

Dept. Senior Middle Prof. Supervisory Gen.workers Total 

Man. Man. staff 

Mun.Man. 1 1 6 1 4 12 

Corp. 1 1 3 1 14 20 

service 

Comm. 1 3 8 3 40 55 

Services 

Finance 1 1 7 2 11 

Works 1 1 4 3 28 37 

Total 5 7 28 10 86 135 

Percent. 3 5 22 7 63 100 

The high number of “general workers” in the Community Services Dept. is a noted matter 

for concern. The IDP does not state the required number of posts contained in the 

organogram - staff shortages are therefore not noted. 

5. CONCLUDING KEY ISSUES 

The Intsika Yethu Municipality reports that not a single housing project has yet been 

completed either due to lack of subsidy funding, access to land delays, land tenure 

difficulties, blocking of approved projects and/or inadequate capacity to implement 

projects. The key issues identified in the situation analysis include the following: 

The housing stock is mainly rural in nature but vulnerable to disasters due to the 

climatic characteristics in the area, disasters from high winds, flash flooding, hail 

and veld fires; 

The rural character results in a desire to upgrade rural homesteads but this is not 

possible because of the communal land tenure and requirements that 

beneficiaries have individual tenure; 

The two towns of Cofimvaba and Tsomo experience increased frustration with 

the lack of progress in housing delivery due to the reasons expressed above; 

The population is believed to be stable or even declining, meaning that the 

housing demand is unlikely to grow. There would accordingly be merit in 

considering future strategies to build new homes or carry out in-situ upgrading (or 

both). 

6. HOUSING STRATEGY 

6.1 Housing Vision and Mission 

The housing vision of the Intsika Yethu municipality is as follows;

42 

“by 2013 we should have completed at least 10 000 urban and rural houses 

meeting the quality standards and norms, with the support of the Department and 

the capacity to implement a complete programme.” 

6.2 Objectives and Strategies 

Priority Housing Issues Objectives Strategies 

Infrastructure 

To ensure the prioritized Engage the DM re bulk 

wards have adequate water 

water supply 

Apply for funding from 

Road access to be MIG for access roads 

upgraded 


Provision of electricity electricity 

Provision of sanitation Engage DM re sanitation 


Roads and Transport re 

Land Access 

Approvals and funding of 

projects 

By the end of 2008 all 

prioritized wards are to 

have all the necessary 

approvals for access to 

rural land 

An up to date set of 

approvals 

and 

documents for every 

project 

Institutional Capacity A fully capacitated 

Housing Unit by the end 

of 2009 

Housing Need to reduce 

the housing backlog 

Meeting the need for 

housing using various 

bridges 


community resolutions 

meetings in the rural 

area 

To have engagement 

with Traditional Authority 

and DLA to hold 

community meetings 

Align the Area Based 

Plan with the Housing 

Sector Plan 

To register donated land 

with immediate effect 

Revalidation of Ext. 1 and 

Joe Slovo to be speeded 

up 


processing 

of 



subsidies 

Obtain sufficient office 

space, equipment and 

furniture 

Examine the available 

capacity 

Use CDW‟s with housing 

experience 

Engage the Department 

in the establishment of 

the unit 


resolution for the unit 

St. Marks, Joe slovo, Ext 

2 Tsomo, all informal

43 

instruments including, 

rural subsidies, informal 

settlement upgrading , 

project linked subsidies 

and middle income 

projects. 

settlements. 4000 to 

6000 rural units will be 

complete by 2013 

Disaster housing backlog 

to be prioritized in terms 

of starting them from 

scratch as individual 

projects

6.3 Current and Planned Project Schedule 


CURRENT PROJECT DETAILS 


TOTALS 




TSOMO EXTENSION 4 601 INDIVIDUAL HOUSING PROGRAMME 100 200 301 601 

COFIMVABA EXT 1 142 INDIVIDUAL HOUSING PROGRAMME 50 92 142 

ST MARKS 500 RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMME 100 250 150 500 

ENYANISWENI 430 INDIVIDUAL HOUSING PROGRAMME 100 200 130 430 

LUBISI MCAMBALALA 2,400 RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMME 250 500 250 1,400 2,400 

JOE SLOVO 587 RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMME 150 300 137 587 

TOTAL 5,203 350 1,250 1,452 450 1,701 5,203 

CASH FLOW 


TOTALS 




TSOMO EXTENSION 4 601 INDIVIDUAL HOUSING PROGRAMME INF 9,611,192 TS 2,299,200 TS 4,598,400 TS 6,920,592 23,429,384 

CONIMVABA EXT 1 142 INDIVIDUAL HOUSING PROGRAMME INF 2,254,872 TS 1,149,600 TS 2,115,264 5,519,736 

ST MARKS 500 RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMME INF/TS 10,295,200 TS 5,748,000 TS 3,448,800 19,492,000 

ENYANISWENI 430 INDIVIDUAL HOUSING PROGRAMME INF/TS 9,175,760 TS 4,598,400 TS 2,988,960 16,763,120 

LUBISI MCAMBALALA 2,400 RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMME INF 38,380,800 TS 5,748,000 TS 11,496,000 TS 5,748,000 TS 32,188,800 93,561,600 

JOE SLOVO 587 RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMME INF/TS 12,836,104 TS 6,897,600 TS 3,149,904 22,883,608 

TOTAL 5,203 81,626,392 38,351,192 33,384,384 10,346,400 39,109,392 202,817,760 

PROPOSED PROJECT DETAILS 


TOTALS 


EKUPHUMLENI 820 INDIVIDUAL HOUSING PROGRAMME 200 620 820 


COFIMVABA EXT 8 348 INDIVIDUAL HOUSING PROGRAMME 100 200 48 348 

FORTY JUNCTION 500 RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMME 500 

KWAJO JUNCTION 500 RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMME 500 





TOTAL 11,081 0 0 1,100 8,965 668 1,516 

CASH FLOW 


TOTALS 


EKUPHUMLENI 820 INDIVIDUAL HOUSING PROGRAMME INF 13,113,440 TS 4,598,400 TS 14,255,040 31,966,880 


COFIMVABA EXT 8 348 INDIVIDUAL HOUSING PROGRAMME INF 5,565,216 TS 2,299,200 TS 4,598,400 TS 1,103,616 13,566,432 

40 JUNCTION 500 RURAL HOUSING PROJECT INF/TS 19,492,000 

KWA JO JUNCTION 500 RURAL HOUSING PROJECT INF/TS 19,492,000 





TOTAL 11,081 0 5,565,216 54,396,640 343,094,760 15,358,656 45,533,312 

TOTAL ALL PROJECTS 16,284 81,626,392 43,916,408 87,781,024 353,441,160 54,468,048 248,351,072 

(See Section 4.7.8 Proposed Rural Housing for a breakdown of the Chris Hani and Vutisile Mini Rural Housing Projects) 

44

6.4 Infrastructure Programme 

There are a number of approved MIG projects approved and these can be seen on the table below 

45 

National Project Number Project Name Total Project Cost Mig Funds 

Public Sector 

Funds Balance Status 

INTSIKA YETHU 8 

C/EC0304/W/00/03 Stormberg DC: Glen Grey TRC - Water supply to 6 villages R 7,437,133.00 R 5,974,436.00 R 1,462,697.00 491,173.35 Running 

MIG/EC0282/W/05/12 Chris Hani: Tsomo Water Supply Scheme Wards 8 & 18 & 19 & 20 & 23 R 79,863,874.00 R 79,863,874.00 R 0.00 31,760,097.20 Running 

MIG/EC0323/R05/06 Kuluqolo Access Road Phase 2 R 1,400,699.00 R 1,400,699.00 R 0.00 473,292.00 Running 

MIG/EC0338/W/05/08 Chris Hani DM: Intsika Yethu: Ward II Water Supply Phase II R 7,569,487.00 R 7,569,487.00 R 0.00 -21,861.25 Running 

MIG/EC0110/S/05/08 Chris Hani DM: Intsika Yethu Ward 16 Sanitation Project R 12,137,461.00 R 10,000,651.00 R 2,136,810.00 3,051,637.23 Running 

MIG/EC0545/W/06/06 Chris Hani DM: Tsojana Bulk Water R 8,312,763.00 R 8,312,763.00 R 0.00 2,371,015.53 Running 

MIG/EC0626/S/04/09 Chris Hani DM: Intsika Yethu: Cofimvaba EU Sanitation Ph 2 R 2,611,483.00 R 2,611,483.00 R 0.00 1,166,540.26 Running 

MIG/EC0717/S/03/09 Chris Hani DM: Intsika Yethu LM: Chris Hani Area Sanitation Wards 5 R 19,605,422.00 R 19,605,422.00 R 0.00 7,656,583.79 Running 

MIG/EC0718/S/05/08 Chris Hani DM: Intsika Yethu LM: Intsika Yethu Ward 8 Sanitation Project R 12,089,700.00 R 12,089,700.00 R 0.00 11,944,801.69 Running 

MIG/EC0106/S/05/08 Chris Hani DM: Intsika Yethu LM: Cofimvaba Sewer Reticulation R 36,769,205.00 R 36,769,205.00 R 0.00 29,708,158.01 Running 

MIG/EC0381/S/04/07 Chris Hani DM: Intsika Yethu LM: Ntsela Water Supply R 2,278,893.00 R 2,278,893.00 R 0.00 124,778.11 Completed 

MIG/EC0714/S/05/08 Chris Hani DM: Intsika Yethu LM: Sanitation Wards 1, 14, 15 & 18 R 25,319,248.00 R 25,319,248.00 R 0.00 25,319,248.00 Running 

MIG/EC0716/W/06/09 Chris Hani DM: Intsika Yethu LM: Water Supply to Ward 15 Phase 2 R 21,439,021.00 R 21,439,021.00 R 0.00 11,373,297.40 Running 

MIG/EC0715/S/05/06 Chris Hani DM: Intsika Yethu LM: Cofimvaba EU Sanitation Ward 3 R 9,609,389.00 R 9,609,389.00 R 0.00 9,593,809.31 Running 

MIG/EC0821/W/05/09 Intsika Yethu LM:Tsomo Rural Water Supply Wards 3, 16 and 17 R 127,741,891.00 R 127,741,891.00 R 0.00 87,594,612.86 Running 

MIG/EC1041/R,ST/05/08 Chris Hani Municipality: Intsika Yethu Ward7,9,12 and 14 Phase R 2,964,969.84 R 2,964,969.84 R 0.00 2,868,178.27 Running 

EC602 Cofimvaba Sanitation-EU R 1,000,000.00 R 1,000,000.00 R 0.00 - Completed 

EC636 Tsojana Bulk Water R 4,086,458.00 R 4,086,458.00 R 0.00 - Completed 

C/EC0314/W/00/00 Cofimvaba: Rehabilitation of water reticulation R 1,410,751.00 R 1,237,500.00 R 173,251.00 - Completed 

C/EC0529/W/02/02 Intsika Yethu: Cofimvaba - Ward 15 water reticulation R 113,157.00 R 99,260.00 R 13,897.00 - Completed 

C/EC0556/W/02/03 Intsika Yethu: Cofimvaba - Ward 11 water reticulation R 320,778.00 R 279,174.00 R 41,604.00 109,248.67 Completed 

C/EC0446/W/02/02 Intsika Yethu: Cofimvaba - Ward 1 Water Retic R 570,000.00 R 500,000.00 R 70,000.00 26,708.84 Completed 

C/EC0476/W/01/03 Intsika Yethu: Tsomo - Shweni & Ndungunya Village water supply R 1,299,000.00 R 1,139,105.00 R 159,895.00 - Running 

C/EC0507/W/01/05 Intsika Yethu: Cofimvaba - Luthuli water supply R 1,949,400.00 R 1,710,000.00 R 239,400.00 - Completed 

C/EC0528/R/02/03 Intsika Yethu: Cofimvaba - Roads in ward 7,9,12,14 R 3,461,602.00 R 3,461,602.00 R 0.00 227,215.55 Completed 

C/EC0467/W/01/03 Intsika Yethu: Cofimvaba - Rodana water supply R 2,322,904.00 R 2,037,636.00 R 285,268.00 29,457.66 Completed 

C/EC0814/R,ST/02/03 Intsika Yethu: Ward 3 - Access Roads R 1,095,000.00 R 1,095,000.00 R 0.00 140,679.34 Completed 

C/EC0800/W/02/03 Intsika Yethu: Mphotulo & Rwantsana - Water Supply R 3,643,192.00 R 2,802,800.00 R 840,392.00 1,940,214.93 Completed 

C/EC0744/W/02/04 Intsika Yethu: Ward 6, 9 & 21 - Water Supply R 14,502,746.00 R 13,613,746.00 R 889,000.00 280,340.02 Completed 

C/EC0832/W/02/04 Intsika Yethu: Cofimvaba Ward 15 - Water Reticulationi R 4,103,423.26 R 3,665,928.26 R 437,495.00 - Completed 

C/EC0859/W/02/04 Intsika Yethu: Cofimvaba Ward 11 & 13 - Water Reticulation R 7,430,588.00 R 4,606,000.00 R 2,824,588.00 - Completed 

C/EC0649/W/02/04 Intsika Yethu: Lower Qitsi - Water Supply R 2,627,686.00 R 1,722,000.00 R 905,686.00 0.10 Completed 

C/EC0877/W,S,R,ST/02/04 Intsika Yethu: Qamata - Water Project R 12,110,000.00 R 10,670,026.00 R 1,439,974.00 9,819,219.55 Running 

C/EC0873/W/02/03 Intsika Yethu: Emampingeni & Mncuncuzo - Upgr Bulk Water Supply R 3,062,829.00 R 2,674,000.00 R 388,829.00 - Completed 

C/EC0879/R,ST/02/03 Intsika Yethu: Ward 20 - Access Road R 1,379,357.00 R 1,379,357.00 R 0.00 312,907.79 Completed 

C/EC0862/W/03/03 Insika Yethu: Nqumakala & Mtshanyana - Bulk Water Supply R 6,607,238.33 R 5,795,823.00 R 811,415.33 - Completed 

C/EC0824/R,ST/02/03 Intsika Yethu: Mathingwevu & Maqwatini - Access Road R 2,100,000.00 R 2,100,000.00 R 0.00 240,377.44 Completed 

C/EC0863/W/02/04 Intsika Yethu: Qamata Poort (Ward 14) Bulk Water Supply R 2,945,134.11 R 2,766,648.11 R 178,486.00 251,050.97 Completed 

C/EC0788/W/03/04 Intsika Yethu: Upper Ncuncuzo - Bulk Water Supply to Ward 14 R 1,442,338.00 R 1,002,400.00 R 439,938.00 985,482.40 Running 

C/EC1029/R,ST/02/03 Intsika Yethu: Bolokodlela & St Marks - Access Road R 700,000.00 R 700,000.00 R 0.00 - Completed 

C/EC1030/R,ST/02/03 Intsika Yethu: Ku Luqolo - Access Road R 1,500,000.00 R 1,500,000.00 R 0.00 - Completed 

C/EC1214/R,ST/03/04 Intsika Yethu: Camama Forest & Cofimvaba - Access Road R 1,583,685.08 R 1,583,685.08 R 0.00 - Completed

46 

7. INSTITUTIONAL 

7.1 Capacity 

The municipality wishes to establish a dedicated housing unit and increase 

its staff capacity from 2 personnel to 4. Provision is made in the organogram 

for these posts. Funding will be required from Provincial Housing to support 

the establishment of the unit as follows:- 

Additional Staff 

Housing Officer (Grade 12) 

Housing Clerk (Grade 13) 

Annual Budget 

R124 080.00 

R104 364.00 

R228 444.00 

Furniture and Equipment 

Computer and printer 

Desks 

Chairs 

Filing cabinets 

Once off amount 

R10 000.00 

R20 000.00 

R 5 000.00 

R 1 000.00 

R36 000.00 

7.2 Training 

It is essential that training of Councillors and staff will be undertaken to 

upgrade the capacity of the new unit. Prior to commencing a skills audit 

must be conducted to ascertain the training needs and design a training 

programme accordingly. It is envisaged that training in the following skills 

would be required:- 

Building Inspection 

Project Management 

End User Computing 

Project Administration and Record Keeping 

Housing Policy Frameworks and Procedures 

A mentorship programme would be necessary for a period of at least 12 

months to ensure a “hands on” transfer of skills. Such a mentor would need 

to be outsourced using experienced practitioners from the housing field. It is 

estimated that the required budget would be in the region of R250 000 per 

annum.

47 

8. FIRST YEAR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 

Priority Housing Objectives 

Issues 

Infrastructure To ensure the 

prioritized wards 

have adequate 

water supply 

Road access to 

be upgraded 

Provision of 

electricity 

Provision of 

sanitation 

Land Access By the end of 

2008 all prioritized 

wards are to have 

all the necessary 

approvals for 

access to rural 

land 

Approvals and 

funding of projects 

Institutional Capacity 

An up to date set 

of approvals and 

documents for 

every project 

A fully capacitated 

Housing Unit by 

the end of 2009 

Strategies 

Engage the DM re 

bulk water 

Apply for funding 

from MIG for 

access roads 


electricity 

Engage DM re 

sanitation 


Roads and 

Transport re 

bridges 


community 

resolutions 

meetings in the 

rural area 

To 

have 

engagement with 

Traditional 

Authority and DLA 

to hold community 

meetings 

Align the Area 

Based Plan with 

the Housing Sector 

Plan 

To register donated 

land with 

immediate effect 

Revalidation of Ext. 

1 and Joe Slovo to 

be speeded up 


processing of 



subsidies 

Obtain sufficient 

office space, 

equipment and 

furniture 

Examine the 

available capacity 

Municipal 

Processes 

Municipal 

Processes 

Municipal 

Processes 

R 36 000.00 

R228 444.00

48 

Housing Need to 

reduce the housing 

backlog 

Meeting the need 

for housing using 

various 

instruments 

including, rural 

subsidies, 

informal 

settlement 

upgrading , 

project linked 

subsidies and 

middle income 

projects. 

Use CDW‟s with 

housing 

experience 

Engage the 

Department in the 

establishment of 

the unit 


resolution for the 

unit 

Tsomo Ext. 2 

Tsomo Ext. 3 

Cofimvaba Ext 1 

St. Marks 

Enyanisweni 

Lubisi Mcambalala 

Joe Slovo 

Sub Total 

Total Budget Year 

One 

R250 000.00 

R 4 685 656 

R 3 998 000 

R 2 254 872 

R10 295 200 

R 9 175760 

R38 380 800 

R12 836 104 

R81 626 392 

R82 140 836

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