The challenges of eradicating informal settlements in South Africa by 2014: the case of Seraleng, Rustenburg Local Municipality, North West Province
Date
2010-07-29T06:47:56Z
Authors
Tshikotshi, Victor
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
In 2004, the Department of Housing declared to eradicate informal settlements in South
Africa by 2014 following the unprecedented housing backlog, proliferation of informal
settlements, social exclusion and the inability of municipalities to provide basic
infrastructure to the urban poor households. The domination of the neo-liberal
macroeconomic planning policies have also worsened poverty, employment opportunities
and increased inequality within the town of Rustenburg. This research report has
identified barriers which frequently impact negatively on livelihoods, good governance,
security of tenure and sustainability of the affected members of communities. The
complexity of informal settlements makes it difficult to relocate residents to greenfield
locations. The post-apartheid government’s resettlement programme still locates the
urban poor households on the peripheries of the cities, a pattern similar to the one used
during the apartheid era. Notwithstanding the acquisition of the individual ownership of
the low-cost house, resettled communities still live in abject poverty and risky
environmental conditions. In order to respond to the housing problems and poverty,
settlement upgrading is mostly appreciated as the necessary mechanism to integrate the
fragmented housing sector