So said the Provincial Minister of Human Settlements Bonginkosi Madikizela during his visit to the Eden District earlier this week.
Madikizela attended the District Coordinating Forum at Eden District Municipality on Tuesday, using the opportunity to discuss his department's strategic plan for the next five years. Different mayors from municipalities all over the Southern Cape attended the meeting.
During an interview with the George Herald, Madikizela stressed the fact that people must start to earn their rewards, such as decent housing.
"What's happening in South Africa is that if you break the law and take no responsibility for your actions, you get better looked after than those who abide the law and suffer in silence," said Madikizela.
"All the money goes to prisons and child support grants."
Madikizela urged local and provincial governments to work closer with the private sector, in an attempt to address the issues of funding and land availability for housing projects.
"We have a three pronged approach. We want to accelerate the provision of housing for those who fall through the cracks, earning more than R3 500 per month," said Madikizela.
According to Madikizela, this income group earns too much to qualify for free housing, but too little to qualify for a bond from the banks.
"Secondly, we want a massive upgrading of informal settlements and improve those people's living conditions," said Madikizela.
"Townships are here to stay. We have to improve the conditions."
Lastly, Madikizela pointed out that municipalities must reconsider their prioritisation of the "most needy".
"At the moment, it is not the most deserving people that get the houses," said Madikizela.
The minister had strong praise for the George Municipality's housing project in Thembalethu, a township outside George. The municipality recently won the National Govan Mbeki Award with their Upgraded Informal Settlement Programme for the township.
Madikizela will pay a visit to the Beaufort West Municipality today, where after he will attend a house handover in Knysna tomorrow.
Bonginkosi Madikizela (second from left), the Western Cape minister of human settlements, payed a visit to the Eden District earlier this week. From left: Lionel Esau, deputy mayor of Eden, Madikizela, Hessequa Mayor Emor Nel, Kannaland Mayor Jeffrey Donson and George Mayor Charles Standers. Madikizela reported on his three point plan for the next five years relating to housing opportunities for the Western Cape, during a District Coordinating Forum at Eden District Municipality on Tuesday.
ARTICLE: MICHELLE PIENAAR, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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