Rooms’ and ‘spaces’ are two closely linked forms of accommodation where the unit of occupation and exchange is a portion of a larger building or property, within which services and facilities are shared. ‘Rooms’ and ‘spaces’ in the inner city represented two of very few typologies research participants were aware of that allowed them access to the livelihood opportunities Johannesburg had to offer. Through participant observation and qualitative interviews this study explores two buildings featuring informal rooms and spaces and one building featuring formal rooms and spaces in Johannesburg’s inner city. While formal rooms represented the most stable support to those specific occupants, there were several ‘barriers to entry’ including the prerequisite of a stable income. There was much to be learnt from the flexibility and diversity of rooms and spaces on the informal market, which enabled occupants to cope with insecure livelihood opportunities. The research demonstrated the incredible resilience of occupants in the face of an extreme shortage of affordable accommodation in Johannesburg’s inner city (Tissington, 2013). However, the findings suggested an adverse relationship between accommodation and livelihoods demonstrated by the three ‘forms’ of rooms and spaces, where the only form available to people with the least secure livelihoods is that which, in turn, subjects them to the greatest insecurity.

Thesis is submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2016 / Keywords/key concepts: Dolomite, Dolomitic ground, Disaster Risk Management, Physical Vulnerability, Low-income settlements, Housing Policy, Services delivery, Responsibility, Living with risk, Human Behaviour, Basic Human Rights Ground underlain by dolomite may be hazardous to development due to the potential occurrence of subsidence and sinkholes. These potentially disastrous occurrences are in many instances caused by human interaction with the soil through the ponding of water or leaking of wet infrastructure such as water and sanitation services. Construction materials and techniques, as well as effective maintenance of waterborne services have traditionally been acknowledged as having a significant bearing on the level of risk that communities face when living on such potentially dangerous land. The spatial distribution of settlements on dolomite in the Gauteng City Region (GCR) is already widespread and expected to increase as urbanisation intensifies. Similarly, the challenge of considering the physical vulnerability of low-income settlements is expected to intensify. Welldefined procedures and guidelines govern the development of human settlements on dolomitic ground. However, the classification and characterisation of low-income and informal settlements are not as advanced as that of formal residential developments. In addition, the guidelines regarding management of settlements on dolomite focus significantly on geotechnical interventions, leaving a gap in the influence that human behaviour can play in possible disaster risk reduction on such ground. The thesis considers the significance of different low-income settlement types on dolomite, relative to perceived human behaviour in association with principles of disaster risk reduction. It hypothesizes that an understanding of settlement type in relation to human behaviour and a stronger emphasis on monitoring via official channels could address some of the conflicts in the development-on-dolomite debate and thereby reduces settlement vulnerability. The research methods included quantitative and qualitative components, commencing with a literature review that spanned multiple disciplines and sectors. Fieldwork included spatial investigation and consideration of low-income settlement types with regard to, for example building material use, dwelling size and dwelling layout, and wet services infrastructure provision and location. The thesis subsequently identify and explore low-income settlement types in the study area. The research explores a number of sample settlements to consider the physical vulnerability and potential key areas of intervention and risk reduction, outside of the traditional geotechnical arena. The evaluation then applies the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), a form of Multi Criteria Analysis (MCA), to identify important variables and indicators related to human behaviour and the physical vulnerability of settlements on dolomite that can be harnessed to intervene in the debate, and possible improve the safety of communities living with this risk. Although not affecting the research outcome directly, a specific observation during the course of engagement with specialists across disciplines was that experts in even closely related practice areas view low-income settlement development and upgrading on dolomite differently. The differences in viewpoints result in contradictions in approaches between housing officials, disaster managers, socio-environmental practitioners, engineers and geologists. Even small differences in approach have been shown to have significant effects on the practicalities surrounding decision making related to low-income settlements and especially informal settlement relocation or upgrading. The outcome is a set of prioritised indicators that could enable specialists, officials and the public to consider different elements of low-income settlements based on its physical vulnerability. By focussing on the indicators most likely to result in reduced vulnerability, actions that drive settlement development, upgrade and resettlement could be prioritised. Interestingly, one of the findings of the research is that it is not so much the settlement type based on informality that makes a difference in the exposure to risk – physical vulnerability is deemed to be significantly affected by official (municipal-sphere) actions, monitoring and awareness. Finally, the research enables the integration of technical knowledge with behavioural considerations when living on dolomite, thus highlighting opportunities to bring technical and non-technically skilled stakeholders in the debate closer together. / MT2017

Thesis (MA (Public and Development Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / The role of public participation within government administration is set out in Chapter 10 of the Constitution (South Africa, 1996) which states that “people’s needs must be responded to, and the public must be encouraged to participate in policy making”. Public participation processes are encapsulated within various legislative mandates such as the Integrated Development Plans, the White Paper on Local Government (South Africa, 1998c) and the White Paper on Transforming Public Service Delivery (South Africa, 1997b). Public participation is critical to the success of sustainable development and therefore South Africa should justifiably “promote public participation, including through measures that provide access to information regarding legislation, regulations, activities, policies and programmes” (United Nations, 2002:71). The strategies implemented to produce what can be considered successful public participation is an aspect not thoroughly considered in the development process. For this reason this study delves into the various facets of public participation and the environment it operates in. The research methodology encompasses the use of the Mamre low-income housing project as case study, qualitative, primary and secondary data as well as a comparative literature study. where 100 respondents were Face-to-face interviewsed face-to-face were conducted with 100 respondents from the Mamre community, withthrough the use of a structured questionnaire. Face- to- face interviews were also conducted with a municipal housing officer involved in the projectcase study. The results of the questionnaires were then investigated againstcompared to the public participation model depicted in chapter 3 as well as the interview answers given by the municipal housing official in terms of the public participation strategies employed. Qualitative and secondary data, as well as a comparative literature survey, informs the content of this study. The study examines the role that public participation plays in development by means of the public participation strategies employed within different contexts and iii formulates a public participation model with recommended public participation strategies to be utilised within four different phases. To emphasise the importance of implementing the correct, context-appropriate public participation strategies, this study uses the Mamre low-cost housing project as a case study to demonstrate how the lack of the appropriate public participation strategies can result in the failure of sustainable development. Having considered all of the above, a number of recommendations are made which can be considered when embarking on a project similar to this one. In the case of Mamre, an opportunity for improvement still exists, as the project is yet to be completed. The recommendations are based on categorising the public participation strategies Blaauwberg Municipality employed throughout the Mamre low-cost housing project according to the public participation model presented in chapter 3. The recommendations incorporates the lessons learnt from Cupido and suggests a preproject strategy and pre-project planning workshops (which explains, amongst other things, .what authentic and empowering public participation actually is). The research results indicate that if a more structured approach is applied to existing strategies, the public participation process can be rendered authentic and empowering. Therefore, further recommendations are aimed at improving the strategies already utilised by Blaauwberg Municipality, to optimise the public participation process.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In our rapidly urbanising world, the need for sustainable settlement planning, particularly for the poor in developing countries, is essential. In South Africa, apartheid spatial constructs segregated black population groups, denying them equal access to economic opportunities; housing; as well as basic and social services. After the first democratic elections in 1994, policy makers attempted to redress these inequalities. Though early housing policy aimed to provide secure tenure: permanent residential structures, and access to basic services for the poor, these policies failed to meet the objectives of the policy makers. In articulating that the state could not meet the needs of the homeless, and that housing for the poor should be delivered within a normalized market in order to attract private investment, these policies (which promoted private sector, contractor-driven development) only served to heighten inequalities previously entrenched by the apartheid regime. In 2004, after measuring delivery failures, policy makers empowered the state to become an enabler of subsidised and low-income housing delivery, rather than leaving housing provision solely to the market. The new policy included the use of multiple finance and delivery mechanisms, multiple housing typologies, and clearly expressed the need for capacity development. It also espoused the need for citizens to become participants in sustainable settlement delivery. Despite this, policy implementation continues to be fragmented and mostly ineffectual. Interviews, survey results and site visits reveal that there are some examples of integrated sustainable human settlements in the South African (SA) context. A few recent examples showcase better quality houses, a broader variety of housing options and typologies, better locations, functioning developmental relationships and the use of multiple financing mechanisms. Conversely, case studies and comparative analysis of developments reveal that most projects designated as Breaking New Ground (BNG) responsive by government officials (as defined in the study) fail to meet BNG policy objectives. This study argues that low-income housing provision continues to focus on the delivery of free-standing subsidy houses without providing a range of typologies and tenure options. It argues that basic and socialservice provision is intermittent and, at times, non-existent. It argues that current funding models for the development of sustainable human settlements in low-income communities are unable to meet basic needs within communities. It shows that skills scarcities within government prevent the acceleration of housing delivery and that participation strategies have failed to meet the policy objective of enabling citizens to become participants in sustainable settlement development. In conclusion, it recommends that the current focus on and allocations of subsidies toward ownership models for shelter and housing delivery be re-examined. It suggests that support should be provided for lending institutions to extend finance to creditworthy, low- and middle-income families. Additionally, accredited capacitybuilding programmes should be developed and funded for local authorities, enabling local government to be the sole driver of local development. It argues that capacity should be built in community organisations to speed up delivery processes, and recommends that provincial government’s power and authority be incrementally devolved to local government as capacity is increased within local authorities. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Weens die snelle verstedeliking in Suid-Afrika het die behoefte aan beplanning van volhoubare nedersettings noodsaaklik geword, veral vir armes in ontwikkelende lande. Tydens apartheid is gesegregeerde swart gemeenskappe gelyke toegang tot ekonomiese geleenthede, behuising, sowel as basiese en maatskaplike dienste ontneem. Na 1994 het beleidmakers gepoog om hierdie ongelykhede reg te stel. Hoewel vroeë behuisingsbeleid daarop gemik was om permanente residensiële strukture wat toegang tot basiese dienste sou verseker, het hierdie beleid egter gefaal. Toe die staat nie sy doelwitte kon bereik nie, is daar besluit om private beleggings te lok. Hierdie privaatsektor gedrewe beleid, wat ontwikkeling binne 'n genormaliseerde mark sou bevorder, het egter slegs gedien om ongelykhede te verskerp. Dit is dan ook dieselfde ongelykhede wat voorheen in die apartheidsbeleid verskans is. In 2004, na besef is dat verskaffing misluk het, het beleidmakers die staat bemagtig om te verseker dat gesubsidieerde behuising vir lae-inkomste groepe verskaf word, eerder as om behuising slegs aan die private sektor oor te laat. Die nuwe beleid het ingesluit die gebruik van verskeie finansiële en leweringsmeganismes, meervoudige behuising-tipologieë, en het duidelik die behoefte aan kapasiteitsontwikkeling vergestalt. Dit het ook die behoefte onderstreep wat daar bestaan vir landsburgers om deel te neem aan die proses van lewering van volhoubare nedersettings. Ten spyte hiervan is min sukses behaal. Hierdie studie voer aan dat daar 'n paar voorbeelde van geïntegreerde volhoubare menslike nedersettings in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks bestaan. Onlangse voorbeelde dui op huise van ‘n beter gehalte, 'n groter verskeidenheid van behuisingsopsies en tipologieë, geskikter ruimtes, die funksionering van die ontwikkelingsverhoudings en die gebruik van verskeie finansieringsmeganismes. Aan die ander kant, alhoewel regeringsamptenare die meeste projekte aanvaar as synde dat hulle voldoen aan die vereistes van Breaking New Ground (BNG), voldoen hulle nie aan die vereistes van die BNG se beleid nie. Hierdie studie voer aan dat die voorsiening van lae-inkomste-behuising bly fokus op die lewering van subsidies vir vrystaande huise sonder dat 'n reeks tipologieë en ook opsies ten opsigte van verblyfreg verskaf word. Basiese en maatskaplike diensvoorsiening is gebrekkig en soms totaal afwesig. Hierbenewens is die huidige finansiële modelle vir die ontwikkeling van volhoubare menslike nedersettings in lae-inkomste gemeenskappe nie in staat om in die basiese behoeftes van die gemeenskappe te voorsien nie. Dis duidelik dat ‘n tekort aan vaardighede binne die regering verhoed dat die lewering van behuising versnel en dat die strategieë vir deelname deur burgers aan die proses ook gefaal het. Ten slotte beveel hierdie studie aan dat die huidige stelsel vir die toekennings van subsidies vir die lewering van skuiling en behuising weer nagegaan word. Ondersteuning moet gegee word aan instellings wat finansiering voorsien en dit behoort uitgebrei te word na lae- en middel-inkomste families wat kredietwaardig is. Kapasiteitsbou-programme behoort geskep te word vir plaaslike owerhede wat dan alleen sal omsien na plaaslike ontwikkeling. Gemeenskapsorganisasies behoort ook bemagtig te word om leweringsprosesse te bespoedig. Die provinsiale regering se magte en gesag moet inkrementeel oorhandig word aan plaaslike regering soos kapasiteit binne plaaslike owerhede self uitbrei.

Thesis (MPA (Public Management and Planning))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Co-operatives as a form of business have a long history in South Africa. The successes of agricultural co-operatives are well known. Housing co-operatives, however, are a relatively unfamiliar concept as a form of business to provide tenure, and for those who are involved in it, a frustrating and long process to obtain housing. This study examined the issue of housing co-operatives as part of addressing the housing crisis in South Africa taking into consideration that this specific model (housing development co-operatives) does not fall under the Social Housing sector anymore. It involves a comprehensive literature study of the history of co-operatives internationally and in South Africa as well as analysing different models implemented internationally and in South Africa; a review of legislation; policies affecting housing co-operatives; analysis of data and information and surveys of housing co-operatives. The specific aims of the research were: • To determine the different models of successful housing development cooperatives internationally; • To determine the viability and sustainability of housing development co-operatives in Third World Countries; • To determine the current status of the registered housing co-operatives in South Africa; • To determine the different models implemented in South Africa; • To evaluate the housing development co-operative sector in South Africa; • To determine the viability and sustainability of a registered housing development co-operative in Cape Town, (Ilinge Labahlali Housing Co-operative, Nyanga, Cape Town, South Africa); and • To determine the challenges faced by the co-operative and how they foresee these challenges being overcome. The study followed a survey design, including both qualitative and quantitative aspects. The qualitative approach related to the views and opinions of co-operative members with regards to the socio-economic impact that the co-operative have had and the quantitative approach relates to statistical and measurable data obtained from the Department of Trade and Industry in terms of a number of variables such as: type of co-operatives, categories indicated and Province representation. For the purpose of this study, only housing co-operatives were contacted and research was conducted on the state of housing co-operatives and if each housing co-operative meet the selection criteria of the Housing Development Co-operative Model. In critically assessing housing co-operatives in South Africa, it was determined that the unacceptable level of support from all three tiers of Government, was the prime problem experienced by housing co-operatives. Several reasons can explain this, the most prominent as follow: 1. The Department of Trade and Industry’s lack of proper record keeping and administration; 2. Housing development co-operatives do not benefit from the Social Housing sector in South Africa; 3. Department of Housing’s lack of knowledge with regards to the housing cooperative sector; 4. No synergy between different Government departments with regards to housing cooperatives; 5. Municipalities do not have the know-how regarding co-operatives and/or display an unwillingness to assist housing co-operatives; 6. Housing co-operatives established by outside agencies/Government departments receive no follow-up and support; 7. No proper Government housing co-operative department focusing on housing delivery with the necessary knowledge and support mechanisms in place. It is clear that in the late nineties, the co-operative principle was promoted by the Department of Housing, Social Housing Foundation and community workers alike as the new brain child of international agencies (Rooftops Canada, Norwegian Government, Swedish Government) to secure housing for communities building on the concept of “ubuntu”. Afterwards the emphasis were shifted to Social Housing Institutions and rental tenure and the few housing co-operatives registered, were left in the cold with no support structures available to them. With no support from international agencies, national-, provincial- and local Government the future of these housing co-operatives are bleak. Co-operative members are community driven, but without the necessary capacity-building and institutional support, community members become despondent and the co-operative principles of “working together to achieve more” are seen as just another scheme which failed in the delivery of housing. This study found that the grass root housing co-operative with the support of all levels of Government can be successful providing that community structures such as saving groups and hostel committees are in place. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Koöperasies as bedryfsvorm het ’n lang geskiedenis in Suid-Afrika. Die welslae van landboukoöperasies is wel bekend. Behuisingskoöperasies is egter ’n relatief onbekende konsep as bedryfsvorm om eiendomsreg te verskaf en vir diegene wat daarby betrokke is, is dit ’n frustrerende en uitgerekte proses waarvolgens behuising bekom kan word. Dié studie het die behuisingskoöperasie-aangeleentheid as deel van die aanspreek van die behuisingskrisis in Suid-Afrika onder die loep geplaas met inagneming daarvan dat hierdie spesifieke model (ontwikkelingsbehuising-koöperasies) nie meer onder die Maatskaplike Behuisingsektor ressorteer nie. Dit het ’n omvattende literatuurstudie van die geskiedenis van koöperasies internasionaal en in Suid-Afrika behels, asook ’n analise van verskillende modelle wat internasionaal en in Suid-Afrika toegepas word; ’n oorsig van relevante wetgewing; beleidsrigtings wat behuisingskoöperasies raak; analise van data en inligting, en opnames van behuisingskoöperasies. Die spesifieke doelwitte van die navorsing was: • Om die verskillende modelle van geslaagde ontwikkelingsbehuising-koöperasies internasionaal te bepaal; • Om die lewensvatbaarheid en volhoubaarheid van ontwikkelingsbehuisingkoöperasies in lande van die Derde Wêreld te bepaal; • Om die huidige status van die geregistreerde behuisingskoöperasies in Suid-Afrika te bepaal; • Om die verskillende modelle wat in Suid-Afrika toegepas word, te bepaal; • Om die behuisingsontwikkeling-koöperasiesektor in Suid-Afrika te evalueer; • Om die lewensvatbaarheid en volhoubaarheid van ’n geregistreerde behuisingsontwikkeling-koöperasie in Kaapstad (llinge Labahlali Behuisingskoöperasie, Nyanga, Kaapstad, Suid-Afrika) te bepaal, en • Om die uitdaging wat deur die koöperasies in die gesig gestaar word, te bepaal en hoe daar gemeen word dié uitdaging te bowe gekom gaan word. Dié studie is aan die hand van ’n vooropgestelde opnamepatroon uitgevoer wat kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe aspekte ingesluit het. Die kwalitatiewe benadering was gerig op die sieninge en menings van koöperasielede met betrekking tot die sosioekonomiese impak van die koöperasie, en die kwantitatiewe benadering het te make gehad met die statistiese en meetbare data rakende ’n aantal veranderlikes, soos soorte koöperasies, aangeduide kategorieë en provinsiale verteenwoordiging, wat van die Departement van Handel en Nywerheid bekom is. Vir die doel van hierdie studie is daar net met behuisingskoöperasies geskakel en navorsing is gedoen op die stand van behuisingskoöperasies en of iedere so ’n koöperasie aan die keuringskriteria van die model van die ontwikkelingsbehuising-koöperasie voldoen. Na kritiese beskouing van behuisingskoöperasies in Suid-Afrika, is daar vasgestel dat die onaanvaarbare mate van ondersteuning wat van die drie vlakke van regering ontvang word, die vernaamste probleem is waarmee behuisingskoöperasies te kampe het. Onder die talle redes wat as verduideliking kan dien, is die volgende die mees prominente: 1. Die Departement van Handel en Nywerheid se gebrek aan deeglike rekordhouding en administrasie; 2. Ontwikkelingsbehuising-koöperasies vind nie baat by die Maatskaplike Behuisingsektor in Suid-Afrika nie; 3. Die Departement van Behuising se gebrek aan kennis met betrekking tot die behuisingskoöperasiesektor; 4. Gebrek aan sinergie tussen verskillende regeringsdepartemente met betrekking tot behuisingskoöprasies; 5. Munisipaliteite beskik nie oor die kundigheid ten opsigte van koöperasies nie en/of toon onwilligheid om behuisingskoöperasies by te staan; 6. Behuisingskoöperasies, wat deur buite-ondernemings/regeringsdepartemente gestig word, ontvang geen onderskraging nie en daar is ook ’n gebrek aan enige voortgesette belangstelling in hulle doen en late. 7. Daar is geen geskikte behuisingskoöperasie aan regeringskant wat fokus op die voorsiening van behuising en wat oor die nodige kennis en ondersteuningsmeganismes beskik nie. Dit is duidelik dat die beginsel van koöperasies in die laat jare negentig deur die Departement van Behuising, die Maatskaplike Behuisingstigting, gemeenskapswerkers, en dies meer, as die nuwe breinkind van internasionale agentskappe soos Rooftops Canada, die Noorweegse regering, die Sweedse regering bevorder is om behuising vir gemeenskappe te verseker wat op die konsep “ubuntu” gebou het. Daarna is die klem na Maatskaplikebehuisingsondernemings en huurbesit verskuif en die enkele geregistreerde behuisingskoöperasies is sonder enige ondersteuningstruktuur aan hulle eie lot oorgelaat. Met geen ondersteuning van die kant van internasionale organisasies, nasionale, provinsiale of plaaslike regering nie, is die toekoms van dié behuisingskoöperasies maar bra droewig. Koöperasielede is gemeenskapsgedrewe, maar sonder die nodige kapasiteitsbou en institusionele onderskraging, het lede van die gemeenskap wanhopig geraak en word die beginsel van “saamwerk om meer te bereik” bloot beskou as net nog ’n plan wat ten opsigte van behuisingvoorsiening gefaal het. Dié studie het bevind dat die voetsoolvlak-behuisingskoöperasie – met die onderskraging van alle vlakke van regering – wel geslaagd kan wees, mits gemeenskapstrukture soos spaargroepe en hostelkomitees in plek is.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis sets out to explore housing co-operatives as an alternative housing delivery mechanism in South Africa. This is done by critically examining the housing policy post 1994, as well as the various mechanisms government implemented in an attempt to manage the service delivery within the housing sector. The thesis also explores the role that co-operatives played in South Africa’s history and draws some historical comparisons in relation to the establishment of housing co-operatives internationally and locally. In exploring the various types of housing co-operatives, insights emerge about their structure, potential and limitations. The thesis examines the themes of public service delivery and explores possible alternatives to the failing traditional model of public service delivery. The thesis focuses on the experiences and perceptions that South Africans have with regards to local government process in housing service delivery. The thesis concludes that local government should play an active role in creating more collaborative partnerships; one that focuses on training and facilitating the efforts of civil society to establish entities such as housing cooperatives. This requires a fundamental shift in the manner in which local government approaches service delivery in the housing sector. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis het ten doel behuisings kooperatiewe te verken as ’n alternatiewe behuisingsmeganisme in Suid-Afrika. Dit is gedoen deur n kritiese ondersoek van die behuisingsbeleid na 1994, sowel as die verskeie meganismes wat die regering probeer implementeer het in ’n poging om die dienslewering binne die behuisingsektor te beheer. Die tesis ondersoek die rol wat koöperatiewe gespeel het in Suid-Afrika se geskiedenis en het ’n historiese vergelyking gemaak met betrekking tot die stigting van behuisingskoöperatiewe op internasionale sowel as op plaaslike vlak. In die tesis van die verskillende tiepe behuising koöperasies het sekere ideas na vore gekom ten opsigte van hul struktuur, potensiaal en beperkinge. Die tesis ondersoek die temas van publieke dienslewering en het ook na die alternatiewe gekyk ten opsigte van publieke dienslewering. Die tesis fokus op die ervarings en persepsies van Suid- Afrikaners met betrekking tot die plaaslike regering se proses van behuisings dienslewering. Die tesis word afgesluit met voorstelle waarin plaaslike regering 'n aktiewe rol speel in die skepping van meer samewerkende vennootskappe, een wat fokus op die opleiding en die fasilitering waarin pogings van die burgerlike samelewing entiteite tot stand bring soos byvoorbeeld behuising koöperasies. Dit vereis ’n fundamentele verandering in die wyse waarop plaaslike regering dienslewering benader in die behuisingsektor.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: High interest rates on credit products in South Africa are not unusual. This would be beneficial to the South African consumers if the cost of incurring these credit products was lower than the benefit derived from incurring them .This is unfortunately not the case to the majority of the South African population. The unlikelihood of this situation is a direct result of the lack of access to appropriate savings and insurance products to a large number of South Africans. Most South Africans use credit, in the form of microloans to augment their consumption patterns. The majority of South Africans do not have a culture of saving; therefore they use credit as a substitute for the lack of savings when consumption patterns exceed income. Using credit as a substitute for the lack of savings becomes extremely costly for low income earners. The result is a perpetual dependence on credit, lack of accumulation of wealth and a lack of improvement in their standard of living. The perpetual dependence on credit has brought about unscrupulous lenders who take advantage of the low income earners dependency on credit for their daily existence. It is due to such exploitations that the South African government through its Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) intervened to bring normality in the South African credit market. This intervention was done through the promulgation of the National Credit Act (NCA), Act No.34 of 2005. The purpose of this study is to focus on a sub set of the credit providers in South Africa known as housing microfinance (HMF) lenders. The study explores the impact of the National Credit Act in the South African credit industry. The Act’s intentions are elaborated and the reality of the implementation of the Act on the drivers of profitability for the housing microfinance institutions is measured. The finding is that housing microfinance institutions have to restructure their business processes in order to be profitable and sustainable in the ambit of the National Credit Act. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vir menige finansiële produkte in Suid-Afrika is rentekoerse wat wissel tussen 80 en 150 persent is nie ongewoon nie. In ekonomiese terme kan verbruikers slegs voordeel trek uit hierdie hoë rentekoerse as die koste om hierdie krediet te verkry laer is as die voordeel wat voortspruit uit die aangaan van die koste. Hierdie situasie is hoogs onwaarskynlik in die oorgrote meerderheid van gevalle in Suid-Afrika. Die onwaarskynlikheid van hierdie situasie is die direkte gevolg van die gebrek aan toegang tot toepaslike spaar- en versekeringsprodukte vir ‘n groot aantal Suid-Afrikaners. Die meeste Suid-Afrikaners gebruik krediet (naamlik mikrolenings) om hulle verbruikerspatrone aan te vul. Die gebruik van krediet as ‘n plaasvervanger vir spaargeld word uitermate duur vir die lae-inkomste verdiener. Die gevolg is ‘n ewigdurende afhanklikheid van krediet, geen akkumulasie van welvaart nie en ‘n gebrek aan verbetering van lewenstandaard. Die ewigdurende afhanklikheid van krediet het gewetenlose uitleners geskep wat die lae-inkomste verdieners uitbuit wat afhanklik is van krediet vir hul daaglikse bestaan. Dit is as gevolg van hierdie tipe uitbuiting dat die Suid-Afrikaanse regering deur sy Departement van Handel en Nywerheid tussenbeide getree het om normaliteit te bring in die Suid-Afrikaanse kredietmark. Hierdie intervensie is gedoen deur die uitvaardiging van die Nasionale Kredietwet, Wet No. 34 van 2005. Die doel van hierdie studie is om te fokus op ‘n onderdeel van die kredietverskaffers in Suid-Afrika bekend as die behuising-mikrofinansiering-uitleners. Die studie ondersoek die impak van die Nasionale Kredietwet in die Suid-Afrikaanse kredietindustrie. Die Wet se oogmerke word uiteengesit en die realiteit van die implementering van die Wet op die drywers van winsgewendheid vir die behuising-mikrofinansiering-instansies word gemeet. Die bevinding is dat behuising-mikrofinansiering-instansies hulle besigheidsprosesse moet herstruktureer ten einde meer winsgewend en volhoubaar te wees binne die strekking van die Nasionale Kredietwet.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / Having inherited a huge housing shortage from the previous apartheid regime, the government of the newly liberated Republic of South Africa embarked on an ambitious programme to resolve the problem, as was required of it by its constitution. The government’s approach was (and is) to offer a once-off subsidy, which has become increasingly generous over the years, to qualifying households. Twenty years later, some three million dwelling units have been built, but there remains a shortfall of some two million houses, which is growing annually. Having regard to the size of the problem and the fact that it is growing despite Herculean efforts on the part of the government, it is clear that intervention by the private sector and civil society is required. The private sector, however, is constrained by the fact that profitability in the affordable housing market is small. In the absence of reasonable profit margins, and in the context of the fact that there is a dire need for adequate shelter, the question arises why corporations who have a long history of donating to social causes, do not allocate more of their corporate social investment budgets to organisations involved with the problem? The answer is that the need is for a private good that is already receiving significant government support, with the result that corporate social investment is crowded out. In addition, corporations are increasingly recognising the need to align their social investment strategies with their business strategies. This is not happening in the housing context partly because corporations are struggling to conceptualise the relationship between the two strategies, and partly because there is no framework within which to do so. Corporate social investment strategies are meaningful and justifiable when they open new markets and opportunities for the company. Successful human settlements exist where economic and social opportunities are integrated seamlessly. Should the government’s housing policy use the principle of integration as a point of departure, it could encourage corporations to channel moneys to social causes. The ideal vehicles for the corporations to employ in such endeavours are social enterprises, because these are non-profit organisations that are managed in a business-like manner. They bring focus to the investment and assurances that moneys are spent well, and their entrepreneurial approach makes them self-sustaining over time.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The non-availability of funding for low-cost housing is a major stumbling block in the provision of housing for the poor in South Africa (Moss, 2001). Banks and other commercial institutions are generally reluctant to fund construction companies in this industry in view of the high level of risk involved. The Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa is a development finance institution that is involved in the financing of construction companies. This study looked at the effectiveness of IDC in financing construction companies that are involved in low cost housing development. The study also looked at whether the IDC's strategiC objectives of promoting job creation had been achieved by providing funding to the construction companies. Only those companies involved in low-cost housing as the only or part of their business activities have been chosen for the study. A qualitative method of research analysiS has been selected as the best way of analysing the research findings in this paper. The empirical analysis indicated that generally the respondents are satisfied with the funding provided by the Industrial Development Corporation, but have serious concerns regarding the turnaround times for credit approvals, completion of legal agreements, disbursement of funds and the fees charged.

M.Tech. Construction Management / The delivery of low income housing in South African Public Subsidized Schemes is plagued with quality issues, inevitably leading to poor levels of client and more importantly, end-user satisfaction. The characteristics of Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) contractors who operate in this sector, together with external factors in the operating environment, all contribute to poor quality. Quality Management (QM) practices among the contractors are not widely documented hence, this study aimed to explore these practices in the Gauteng low income residential sector. Therefore, the objectives of the study aimed to establish the following: current QM practices; adequacy of such practices; barriers to effective QM practices and the presence of critical success factors for effective QM practices...