Akani December/ January

Con Court
December
Volume 3 Issue 1
This month we observe :
Skin cancer Awareness Month
World Leprosy Day
World Braille Day
INS I D E T H I S I S S U E
1. MEC Pieters hands over
to Maart famiy
2. Victory in landmark
case
3. NHBRC Donates furniture
in Mtata
4. Western Cape Youth
Training
5. Remembering David
Mapikitla
6. Limpopo Handover
7.
Eastern Cape Human Settlements MEC
Ms Nonkqubela Pieters and Blue Crane
Municipality
Mayor Mr Bonisile Manxoweni outside
the home handed over to Mr Maart.
MEC Pieters Hands Over home to the
Maart Family
By Samkelo Gqeba
The dignity of Mr Dean David Maart, a disabled beneficiary, was restored
when the Eastern Cape MEC of Human Settlements Honourable, Ms
Nonkqubela Pieters handed over a new house on the 11th of October. Mr
Maart was an active rugby player until he got into an accident that paralysed
him in the year 2000. Mr Maart is living with his wife Josie Jacobs, who is
unemployed, his three dependents and his three grandchildren. The family
depends and survives on Mr Maart’s disability grant.
Due to the urgency of his case, the Blue Crane Municipality together with the
Provincial Department of Human Settlements erected a 45m2 house for the
family. The house features amenities caters for Mr Maart’s needs.
The house is a four roomed with two bedrooms, a lounge and an open plan
kitchen. As part of its Social Transformation Programme, the NHBRC donated
furniture to the Maart’s family.
Speaking at the handover, MEC Pieters said that the mandate of the
Department of Human Settlements is derived from Section 26 of the
Constitution of the Republic of South, 1996.
“The department has an obligation to provide adequate housing to the
Citizens of the Province including disabled persons and should utilise
available resources to rescue these families from this inhabitable situation
and the department has a huge responsibility to intervene and provide the
Destitute persons with access to integrated and sustainable houses.”
Ms Josie Jacobs accepted the house on behalf of her husband who has been
hospitalised. Ms Jacobs said she was very grateful and thankful to the MEC
and the Blue Crane Municipality for helping their family. She said she only
wished that her husband was there to witness what the government has done
for his family.

Legal Victory
Page 2
Concourt Affirms NHBRC’s Mandate on Rental Market
Developments
By Hulisani Mmbara
The NHBRC team achieved a great victory in a landmark case for the NHBRC which was before the Constitutional
Court.
In an order which was granted on the 18th of September 2019, the Constitutional Court dismissed Xantha Properties’
application for Leave to Appeal the Judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), with costs.
In May 2019, the SCA declared that home builders constructing homes for rental or leasing purposes are obliged to
enrol the homes with the NHBRC. The SCA also rejected Xantha’s argument that certain provisions of the Act be
declared unconstitutional, unlawful and invalid.
This matter started in 2017, when Xantha approached the NHBRC and contended that 223 homes which they were
constructing in Wynberg, Cape Town, for rental or leasing purposes, need not be enrolled with the NHBRC as Xantha
did not intend to sell the homes to third parties.
The NHBRC did not agree with Xantha and informed them that all homes which are constructed for leasing or rental
purposes must be enrolled in terms of the Act.
Subsequently, Xantha enrolled the homes under protest and brought a High Court application seeking a declaration
that Xantha is not required to enrol the homes, alternatively, challenging the constitutionality of the relevant
provisions of the Act, if the Court agreed with the interpretation that Xantha is obliged to enrol the homes.
The Western Cape High Court ruled in favour of Xantha but its Judgment was overturned in favour of the NHBRC at
the SCA, which led to Xantha approaching the Constitutional Court for leave to appeal the SCA Judgment.
The Constitutional Court’s dismissal of Xantha’s application for Leave to Appeal means that all home builders who
intends to construct homes solely for purposes of leasing or renting out are obliged to enrol the homes as per the
Act, regardless of whether or not they intend to sell the homes in future. The NHBRC must continue to enforce the
Act in this regard.
The NHBRC vigorously pursued this case as the prospects of Xantha’s success would have the effect of undermining
the objects of the Act and the existence of the NHBRC or its effectiveness to regulate the home building industry
and to protect housing consumers.
We commend the NHBRC Legal Team and the Business Services colleagues in the Western Cape Province, who
supported this critical litigation to ensure that the NHBRC safeguards its mandate to regulate the home building
industry and to champion the rights of housing consumers.

NHBRC Donates furniture in Mtata
By Samkelo Gqeba
Christmas came early for 14 homeless families in Ntokwezeni
village, outside Mthata who were handed newly built homes on
the 12 th of December 2019 by the Deputy Minister of Human
Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Honourable Pamela
Tshwete and MEC of Human Settlements in the Eastern Cape,
Honourable Nonkqubela Pieters.
These families were left homeless following a devastating
tornado and heavy rains in January 2017 which left a trail of
destruction and resulted in a loss of life and several others
severely injured.
The EC Department of Human Settlements rallied with local
government to assist the affected families. In support of the
house handover ceremony, the NHBRC donated household
furniture to three destitute families as part of its Corporate
Social Responsibility policy. The beneficiaries of this donation
included the elderly, child headed families and the disabled.
79-year-old Mamu Nobungile Galeni
receiving keys to her new house fullyfurnished
from Deputy Minister of Human
Settlements, Water and Sanitation,
Honourable Pamela Tshwete and MEC of
Human Settlements, Honourable Nonkqubela
Pieters.
Mogale City in Mourning
Courtesy of Mogale City
The NHBRC mourns with the Mogale City Local Municipality on the passing of Executive Mayor
Councillor Patrick Naga Lipudi after a short illness. Councillor Lipudi was elected Mogale City
Executive Mayor on 28 June 2017 after serving as the Speaker of Council from 7 December 2016.He
will leave a tremendous void in local government and in all the political and government
structures where he served. His tenacity, meticulousness, and perseverance in changing the lives
of the people of Mogale City for the better will be solely missed. Our sincere condolences to his
family, friends, Mogale City employees and leadership, and the entire community of Mogale City.
May his soul rest in peace .

Akani
Page 4
Western Cape Youth Training
By Agnes Van Den Berg
The NHBRC’s mandate is to regulate the home building industry and training forms part of its functions of
ensuring the construction of quality homes. Training of the Youth is an important part of the NHBRC’s
transformation programme, proudly geared towards contributing to the reduction of the high youth
unemployment levels pervasive in our country.
Africa’s young population is growing rapidly. This demographic trend provides an opportunity for
economic growth and a chance to break the chain of poverty. Young people are sources of
entrepreneurship, energy and willingness to innovate.
For Q4 of the Financial Year 2019/2020 the NHBRC has training scheduled in Occupational Health and
Safety Training, Technical Skills Training, Bricklaying, Plumbing, Electrical Training, Plastering, Project
Management, Carpentry, Construction Management, Roofing and Painting. This training will happen in
various centres across the country. It is anticipated that these sessions will create 907 training
opportunities for young people. We believe that training the Youth provides them with necessary skills
to start their own businesses and master of their destinies.
NHBRC Youth Training: This group of 15 young
people is receiving training in Bricklaying at the
Boland College in Paarl. The training is done as a
partnership between the NHBRC and the Western
Cape Department of Human Settlements
Phumza Mbokwana, NHBRC Training Coordinator in
the Western Cape (Left) is attending to members of
the Youth group being trained in bricklaying during
November 2019 at Boland College in Paarl, Western
Cape

Stakeholder Relations
Page 5
\
Minister Sisulu calls on the board of the EAAB to better position
the entity with its stakeholders
Courtesy of DHS
Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has met with the Board of Directors of the
Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB), an entity of the Department of Human Settlements. The meeting was held
in Pretoria on Tuesday 17 December 2019 entity of the Department of Human Settlements. The meeting was
held in Pretoria on Tuesday 17 December 2019.
Minister Sisulu was briefed on the progress the EAAB is making in executing its mandate, including the recent
assessment by the Auditor-General that points to an improvement in its internal processes. The Board also gave
a report on work being done towards implementation of the Property Practitioners Act, which was promulgated
by the President few months ago.
Minister Sisulu also received a briefing on the challenges that the EAAB has been experiencing internally and
the allegations of maladministration that have been reported on in the media. The Board informed that it has
instituted processes, including through its Social and Ethics Committee, to investigate grievances and various
allegations that have surfaced. The Board also disclosed that its processes were being undermined through the
regrettable leaking of information to the media and through various unfounded statements.
Enriched by the discussion the Minister voiced her concern that internal matters that should have been
addressed by the entity had reached mainstream and social media. The meeting determined that the
Department would look into the veracity of the allegations including unethical behaviour and the leaking of
confidential
information.
She further called for swift implementation of the Board resolution and recommendations regarding the
execution of a comprehensive change management process by the executive team towards smoother running of
the organisation. The Board was also expected to address matters that could potentially damage the
reputation of the organisation.
Minister Sisulu urged the Board of the EAAB to use the opportunity presented by the challenges to turn the
situation around and focus the entity on working in collaboration with its stakeholders in the property sector
towards building a resilent property market in South Africa and housing the nation.
Honourable Minister Lindiwe Sisulu

Akani
Page 6
Remembering Mr David Mapikitla
The NHBRC mourns the passing of one of the NHBRC Council Members,
Mr. David Mapikitla. Mr Mapikitla passed on after a short illness.
Mr Mapikitla had over 15 years of experience acquired from various
industries including Civil Engineering Consultancy, Construction and
Academia as a lecturer.
He had senior engineering, technical, administrative and
management experience gained through his executive directorship
tenures at various companies, where he added indelible value to the
direction of the NHBRC.
The late Mr David Mapikitla
The NHBRC is deeply saddened by this untimely passing and the loss
of such an astute leader. Our heartfelt condolences go to the
Mapikitla’s family, friends and colleagues.
May his soul rest in peace.
Braille Literacy Awareness Month
Acknowledging National Braille Literacy Month is recognized each
year during the month of January to help promote the importance
of the Braille system to the blind and visually impaired community
coupled with acknowledging the rights of the blind and partially
sighted people at the same time.
During this time, blind people around the world hold programmes to
honour Louis Braille, through whom information access is now
possible as the father of literacy for the blind inventing a system of
reading and writing for people who are blind or virtually impaired.
Arecent report released by Census called ‘Profile of person with
disabilities in South Africa’, Stated that: “There is low labour
market absorption of persons with disabilities. The degree of
difficulty is related to economic participation, with increased
difficulty being associated with a decrease in labour market
participation.
January is Braille Literacy Awareness
Month
“According to the
World Health
Organisation, 285
million people are
visually impaired ”
In five of the six functional domains, employment levels were
highest among persons with no difficulty and lowest among persons
with severe difficulties across the provinces. Through the NHBRC
Social Transformation and empowerment programme, the focus
interests groups include persons with disabilities alongside youth,
women and military veterans.

Page 7
The Department of Water and Sanitation Launches Master Plan
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) launched its long-awaited master plan to guide investment in the
water sector and facilitate development planning for water resources and the delivery of water and sanitation
services to 2030 and beyond.The National Water and Sanitation Master Plan (NWSMP) seeks a resilient and fit-for-use
water supply; universal water and sanitation provision; equitable sharing and allocation of water resources;
effective infrastructure management, operation and maintenance; and reduction of future water demand.
The master plan sets out nearly 100 key immediate, short-term and future-thinking action steps to ensure South
Africa stabilises its struggling water sector, enables access to water for all and preserves the already stressed,
valuable and scarce resource.“We are a water scarce country. We have one of the lowest rainfall averages in the
world, coupled with a very uneven distribution. This situation is predicted to get even worse on the back of climate
change,” warns Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.
“We need to focus our attention and resources on maintaining our current infrastructure, securely guarding water
sources and most essentially educating our people on the necessity of looking after their rivers, harvesting rain and
caring for the environment,” she told delegates at the launch.Some of the key action plans focus on reducing water
demand and increasing supply; redistributing water for transformation; regulating the water sector; improving raw
water quality and protecting and restoring ecological infrastructure.“Our water security can only be guaranteed by
a combination of smart technology, a great game-plan and human capital in the sector,” she says, noting that South
Africa can avoid a projected 17% water deficit by 2030 by implementing the NWSMP.In line with this, the DWS and
the Department of Public Works have teamed up to deal with ageing infrastructure and new build projects, along
with an intended “war on leaks” to reverse what is a significant waste of water amid extreme scarcity.
She adds that government has and will invest in several water resource infrastructure projects aligned to the
NWSMP, such as the Lesotho Highland Water Project Phase II, De Hoop dam and Clanwilliam dam, along with various
wastewater treatment plants, bulk storage and bulk pipelines projects.
The master plan will also address the “enabling” requirements of the sector, such as the institutional and legal
arrangements for implementation, funding requirements and models, monitoring and evaluation models, as well as
the creation of effective water sector institutions, managing data and information, building capacity, ensuring
financial sustainability, amending legislation where required and enhancing research, development and innovation.
The plan would cost about R898-billion over the next ten years, with an expected shortfall of R333-billion.
The master plan indicates that the funding gap of R33.3-billion a year over the next ten years must be reduced
through “purposeful interventions, such as policy reviews, enhanced regulation, implementation of cost efficient
measures and proper management of user expectation and demands”.

Akani
Page 8
Vredebees – A dream come true
The dreams of hundred and twenty-three (123) residents of
several informal settlements on the outskirts of Ceres came
true when they were handed over homes by the Western
Cape’s MEC for Human Settlements, Tertius Simmers last
week Thursday.
The Ceres Valley is a major producer of South Africa's
deciduous fruits which are cultivated for export purposes
resulting in the creation of seasonal job opportunities.
These circumstances resulted in the creation of informal
settlements as workers started to migrate to the area looking
for economic prospects.
Twenty years ago, several surrounding informal settlements
were integrated into one community called Vredebes.
NHBRC was responsible for assuring the quality of the homes
built.
“The Ceres Valley is a
major producer of
South Africa's
deciduous fruits”
Sarel Says NO!
The NHBRC would like to convey its gratitude and appreciation
to Limpopo based Senior Inspector Sarel Matsi whose ethical
stance against corruption became a recent radio conversation on
Energy FM.
The NHBRC appreciates Sarels efforts in exemplifying our values
and illustrating that our determination to instil an ethical
culture free of corruption or any maleficence is gaining
momentum, as we galvanise Team NHBRC to live values
espoused by The NHBRC Way.
To get the podcast of this interview, please follow this link :
https://www.energyfmsa.co.za/podcasting/
Mr Sarel Matsi : Senior Inspector

Laughing all the way to the Piggy bank
Have you made resolutions for New Years? One of the most common topics for resolutions revolves around
finances. If you need some ideas, Forbes has some to consider for 2020:
1) Track your spending.
2) Make a spending plan.
3) Check your insurance coverage.
4) Build up an emergency fund.
5) Pay down high interest debt.
6) Protect your credit.
7) Buy a home you can afford.
8) Run a retirement estimator.
9) Contribute to a Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
10) Contribute more on health savings
11) Consider consolidating retirement accounts.
12) Save for education expenses.
13) Make sure your investments are properly diversified
14) Treat yourself and those you love

Akani
Page 7
Page 10
The NHBRC launches ethics blog
According to the recently released South African Business Ethics Survey (SABES) overall corporate SA
ethical culture has a moderate risk score of 63 which indicates that, as a country, we are in the
developmental stage of an ethical culture.
The survey further revealed that the two top ethical culture risks as perceived by employees are:
Lack of ethical treatment of employees and
Lack of ethics accountability and responsibility.
Similarly, the NHBRC’s Ethics Survey conducted by Ethics Monitor in 2016 revealed that our overall score
was low and that a number of issues needed attention such as the extent to which;
Leaders are seen to live the values and positively shape ethics; and
Employees feel valued and their concerns are taken into account.
This illustrates that an organisation’s culture is made up of the collective ethics of all its employees.
However, ethics is a choice based on the knowledge of what is right and wrong and has consequences.
As the NHBRC we believe that ethics is not something that should be left to chance in our pursuit of the
highest standards of professional ethics.
In our bid to promote engagement around ethics in the organisation the NHBRC launched an ethics blog
to drive an ethical culture in the organisation that supports our vision for a formidable and ethical
NHBRC.
DID YOU KNOW?
Ethics is derived from the Greek word ethicos or that
which pertains to ethos, the English translation of which
is “custom”, “characteristic way of acting” or “habit”.
The Latin equivalent is mos, mores from which come
the word moral and morality
Socrates was regarded as the father of ethics and
inquiry
Socrates : Greek Philosopher
(470 BC-399 BC)

Page 7
Akani
Page 11
NHBRC Movements
The NHBRC is pleased to announce the following changes in their leadership
structures.
Mr Tshepo Ramalla : Provincial Manager
Limpopo
Mrs Tamlyn Bouwer : Finance Manager
NHBRC Council Chairperson
Council Chairperson Mr Enoch Godongwana has resigned
from the NHBRC Council. Management wishes to express
their appreciation for the leadership provided by Mr
Godongwana in his brief role as the Chairperson of Council
and wish him well in his future endeavours.
Folloing Mr Godongwana’s departure the Hon. Minister of
Human Settlements, Water & Sanitation appointed Ms.
Julieka Bayat as the new Chairperson of Council, effective
5th December 2019.
Ms Bayat is not new to the NHBRC having previously served
as Acting Chairperson of Council. We welcome Ms Bayat
and wish her all the best as she embarks on this new role.
Ms Julieka Bayat : NHBRC Council Chairperson

Buza UBrenda
Page 12
Sanibonani! My name
is Brenda the Builder.
As citizens, we have
rights, but with those
come obligations. I
am here to assist you
in realising your
rights as a housing
consumer and
understanding the
NHBRCs mandate.
Lost
Dear Brenda
I recently went to your offices on 99
Jip De Jager drive in the Office Vine
Estates and to my surprise I found
it vacant. Where do Capetonians go
when they need assistance in the
province ?
Mgcineni Buthelezi, Kwa Langa
Dear Mgcineni
Please note as at 1 October our
Cape Town office have moved to
Centenial Office Park, East Block,
Century City Boulevard, Milnerton.
Should you need further assistance
the number remains unchanged,
where you can contact the office
on 021 913 9210
NHBRC Inspections
Dear Brenda
I missed the the Housing Consumers Protection Bill session in Durban. How can still access this
information?
Veejay Reddy, Isipingo
Dear Veejay
Thank you for getting touch and showing interest on the Bill. To recap or follow the sessions that took
place please follow this link on our website :
https://www.nhbrc.org.za/the-housing-consumer-protection-bill/
Ask Brenda by emailing thenhbrc@nhbrc.org.za with the subject line : BUZA UBRENDA

Akani
Page 13
Limpopo hands over house to child
headed household
By Thapelo Sibanda
NHBRC Limpopo in partnership with the Modimolle Municipality,
Mamondo Developers & Construction, Department of Social
Development and South African Women in Construction (SAWIC)
recently handed over a house to a child headed family of five (5) in
Phagameng Township.
The family was living in a two room shack situated on the stand
where the house has been built and they are surviving on a child
support grant.
NHBRC Provincial Manger Mpho Ramalla hands
over the home
This is the fifth home that the NHBRC in Limpopo has given to a
destitute family since 2014.
Provincial Manager Tshepo Ramalla also handed over an enrolment
certificate to the family.
NHBRC Cooks on World Food day
World Food Day was a day of action dedicated to tackling global hunger, and
highlight the plight of 870 million undernourished people in the world. Food and
Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO) designated the 16 th of October as World
Food Day in 1979. The day is celebrated annually by people around the world
who come together to declare their commitment to eradicate worldwide
hunger.
The NHBRC in partnership with NGO Meals On Wheels commemorated World Food
Day by participating in a cook out challenge on Wednesday 16 October at NASREC
EXPO Centre, Johannesburg where there was a drive to serve 10 000 meals to
beneficiaries in the East and South Rand.
NHBRC Employee Volunteers on World Food
Day
National Homebuilders
Registration Council
27 Leeuwkop Road Sunninghill
2191
[www.nhbrc.org.za]
[thenhbrc@nhbrc.org.za]
[0800200824]
The NHBRC had employees who volunteered from Gauteng and Sunninghill offices
who were in teams to prepare nutritious meals that were packaged and delivered
to beneficiaries in collaboration with other corporate institutions, communitybased
organisations, government and media institutions.