6.5. COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE ON ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEWS
6.5.2. Theme 2: Consumer satisfaction in housing strategies
The objective of this theme was to assess the level of consumer satisfaction in the strategy used by the municipality to create quality living environments. The delivery of services to communities should aim at improving the quality of life of communities. The impact is the key in measuring the success of the municipality in delivering services to communities. The important question to be asked in this regard is the extent to which communities are satisfied with the level of integrated housing delivery.
6.5.2.1. Access to facilities
The level of satisfaction in the services provided by the municipality is measured by the services that communities are able to access. Participants from focus groups and one-on-one interviews indicated that they were now experiencing problems in accessing other services such as electricity – as in some instances houses were handed over to them without electricity – and this has led to illegal electrical connections. Participants indicated the risks they were exposed to because of certain services not being provided.
Our kids if they go to school because we only have a primary school here are exposed to being hit by cars, as we do not have a high school in the area. (50)
Some of us are sick in this place, it takes hours and hours for an ambulance to come, the clinic only comes once a week, and sometimes it does not. (70)
Participants have acknowledged that the quality of their lives has improved, but were concerned that they have no access to schools, health, community centres and other facilities – and how this lack of facilities has influenced negatively on their well-being. The Presidency, through DHS, has emphasised access to facilities as one of the transition from housing to human settlements – this was done to ensure that towns and cities were transformed to ensure efficiency, inclusion and sustainability. This was to be achieved by ensuring that communities access facilities like basic services, sports and recreational and social services within a reasonable distance from where they live (see The Presidency, 2010).
The Cornubia project was aimed at ensuring that the beneficiaries have access to services, which would lead to integrated human settlements. As a result, the IRDP stipulates that suitable land identified for such projects, which includes the acquisition of land, the servicing of site for a variety of land uses including commercial, recreational, schools and clinics (see DHS,
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2009). The findings from both one-on-one and focus groups inform this theme the importance of making facilities available once communities have been relocated to these new areas. It also indicated the importance of consumer education in respect of issues like these, where communities should be made aware that some of the services cannot be provided immediately after they had taken occupation – but that the plan has been drafted to ensure the provision of these facilities in future – depending again, on the availability of the funding from the national government.
During the discussions of such projects by government officials, communities should be involved, and such issues should be discussed as they affect communities directly. In this way, communities tend to understand that particular facilities cannot be provided overnight, but that plans are underway once the funding has been secured. Such engagements can also reduce service delivery protests as indicated in the theme above (see Zonke & Matsiliza, 2015).
Housing delivery protests tend to be fuelled by other services, which are not delivered by other sectors. Booysen (2007) confirms that community protest is caused by the poor quality of services delivered, as well as public representation at grass root level.
6.5.2.2. Current houses do not consider future increase in household sizes
The integrated human settlements strategy is aimed at ensuring that communities are accommodated in houses which cater for the needs of different household sizes. Participants indicated for some houses provided do not meet the requirements of some households, as determined by the family sizes, as indicated in the chart above (see Table 5.2). Participants further indicated that for some families in the area have the potential to increase because of the age.
As we continue to give birth to children these houses are going to be small as time goes on because the majority of us are not interested in family planning. (35)
Household sizes have always been a problem for the poor black in South Africa – whether they are living in an informal settlement, townships or rural areas. The exodus of people from rural to urban areas has also resulted in a number of people not being accommodated in suitable areas. Participants indicated that the different needs of people living in the area should be considered when houses are allocated to communities. Family planning in other cultures has never been taken seriously. This is guided by the fact that if people can afford to put a plate of food on the table, every day for their families; then this means that they can have as many
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children as they want. Participants in both focus groups and one-on-one interviews indicated that this could cause serious problems in the future – as these houses will no longer be able to accommodate the increasing number of people.
The physical domain as indicated by Busch-Geertsema, confirms that there should be enough space for houses in order to accommodate the needs of household in terms of quality and quantity (see Busch-Geertsema, 2016). Some scholars indicated that the past model of freehold did not deal with the dynamics of poverty – as class distinctions among the poor because of the housing model did not accommodate household sizes (see Seekings, 2000; Huchzermery, 2001;
Bauman, Bolnick & Mitlin, 2000; Biermann, 2004). The findings indicate that the new model of integrated human settlements should also consider the household sizes when designing the projects to be implemented. Officials were also concerned about the large numbers in household sizes. This also brings to light the role that can be played by the municipality when profiling communities for identified projects. Consumer education should be structured in such a way that it considers the socio-economic factors to achieve the intended objectives of improving the quality of life of citizens.
6.5.2.3. Dissatisfaction amongst communities
Participants were concerned about members of the community who abandoned their new houses and return to informal settlements. Questions of transportation and broken family ties were identified by participants as some of the reasons why beneficiaries return to their original informal settlements. In some cases, people were now staying far from their places of work, and had to travel for approximately 48 kilometres to work. The only option that these people had was to return to their former places together with their families. It was observed that in some cases people would leave early in the morning, without even preparing their children for school, and would arrive home late – this deprives them of the time to help their children with homework.
Some of us travel long distances to work and we come back late. We are aware that some have decided to abandon these houses and go back to informal settlements. (45)
To this effect, the findings have indicated that there should be proper engagements with communities before they are relocated to new areas. This issue raises the importance of profiling communities in order to prevent cases where people would be relocated far from their places of work. If beneficiaries continue to work far from their homes sustainable human
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settlements will not be achieved, and this would not improve the quality of life of beneficiaries.
The findings further indicated that quality of the houses delivered is measured by the satisfaction of beneficiaries in the services provided to them (see Mzini et al., 2013).
6.5.3. Theme 3: Giving priority to community needs through human settlements The objective of this theme was to determine whether the strategy used by the municipality is effective in reducing the housing backlog in order to improve the quality of life of beneficiaries.
Housing provision should aim at improving the quality of life of beneficiaries. This can only be done if houses provided are close to economic opportunities and consultation with the relevant stakeholders is improved. Proper consultation reduces the chances of beneficiaries opting to return to their original areas of abode. The theme aimed at responding to the strategy used by the municipality in addressing housing backlog within the municipality. Cornubia was identified as a housing development project that could help the municipality to address housing backlog.
6.5.3.1. Consultation process in housing development
In most cases, beneficiaries are never consulted when large-scale projects are undertaken – as these projects are mostly catalyst projects. Beneficiaries for such projects are selected from different informal settlements and transit camps. Such projects are planned by the authorities, together with the private sector; as they are in most cases part of the project. With Cornubia the planning was between the municipality and Tongaat-Hulett, with less consultation with civil society groups. Participants and officials confirmed the non-involvement of communities when the project was finalised between the municipality and Tongaat-Hulett.
Officials together with the community leader came to notify us that we were to be moved to an area called Cornubia. (75)
The involvement of civil society groups can play a very important role in these large-scale projects, and can bring a solution to problems, which might arise once beneficiaries have been relocated (see Harrison, 2006; Scott, et al., 2006; Hannan, 2012; Robins, 2014; Hannan &
Sutherland, 2015).
178 6.5.3.2. Access to economic opportunities
Sustainable human settlements is aimed at bringing communities closer to economic opportunities. This can only be achieved by identifying housing development, which accommodate income levels ranging from above moderate to low income. Cornubia as a housing development project was aimed at bringing people from lower socio-economic classes and job opportunities in the same location. The project was aimed at enhancing economic growth; creating unemployment, address-housing backlogs and producing integrated human settlements (see Sutherland, et al., 2015). Participants indicated that relocating to the new area came with new challenges owing to the demands of the new area. Participants found that they had to pay for services that they were not used to paying for, such as electricity, water, and transportation costs, because of the change in travel distances.
In this new area, we are expected to have more money for the services and other things. Life is expensive in this place. Even going to town requires money to pay for the taxi. (41)
According to Landman (2010), the reason for exposing residents to such projects is to ensure that communities begin to enjoy a high quality of life, as they would be living close to employment opportunities, where recreational facilities are in close proximity. The findings further indicated the need for an IRPTN as planned by the municipality in order to address these challenges (see eThekwini, 2015).
… as you can see I am not working, how am I going to afford to stay in this area where everything is expensive (10)
The findings from this theme indicated that bringing lower income and higher-income classes together increased the need for communities to have money to spend in the new area. Business opportunities, which were developed in such areas, create the demand for employment opportunities in the area so that people can have money to spend (see Khan, 2014). The findings further indicated that there was a new demand for transport costs, which participants had to consider because of where the development is situated. Some of the participants used public transport to travel to other places; and in some cases, public transport was not reliable.
Transportation costs include travelling to work, and for learners to travel to school – since not all facilities are provided in the area. The findings further indicated that communities were only involved in the last stages of these large-scale projects. As a result, certain factors were not considered when the relocations were done.
179 6.5.4. Theme 4: Benefits of modern infrastructure
This objective of the theme was aimed at ascertaining the infrastructure provided by the municipality in improving the quality of life of beneficiaries. Infrastructure provision should consider the walking distance to “public transport, close proximity to essential social facilities”, and access to bulk infrastructure. The provision of bulk infrastructure should aim at improving the quality of life of beneficiaries. Greenfields such as Cornubia should be able to provide such services as people are relocated from informal settlements where such services were not provided. The objective sought to respond to questions in respect of the provision of infrastructure in the provision of formal housing in order to improve the quality of life of beneficiaries.
6.5.4.1. Effects of physical and human infrastructure to beneficiaries
The provision of human and physical infrastructure in housing developments is of vital importance as it improves the quality of life of beneficiaries. Participants indicated that the lack of certain facilities has had an impact on the living conditions in the new area. Bulk infrastructure provided by the municipality in all housing developments has aimed at achieving the integration of services in new settlements. Participants together with officials acknowledged that the bulk infrastructure provided has improved, and that the one in the informal settlements was able to meet the need of beneficiaries in the area.
We do have clean water, roads, sewerage and electricity in some parts but there is a need for bridges and proper transport system. (50)
The findings indicated that access to modern infrastructure is important as it makes communities feel like part of the citizens of the country. Beneficiaries are always keeping an eye on the services and treatment afforded to the poor. However, the new life in these new housing developments placed more demands on the government. If the infrastructure is not provided in these new developments integration in housing delivery and land, use will not be achieved, and there will be less transformation (see DoH, 2004). Providing proper infrastructure in new human settlements strengthens the plans to support the development of sustainable human settlements and the development of housing assets (see Tomlinson, 2011).
In any developmental state government, aims at providing household infrastructure and services in order to create habitable, inclusive cities and towns and empowering communities at the same time (see Reddy, 2010).
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Integrated human settlements is aimed at bringing all amenities closer to communities in order to improve their quality of life. Participants acknowledged that the quality of life of beneficiaries had improved, as they were now accessing clean water and other services. The importance of providing other facilities to communities has been emphasised by respondents.
Respondents felt that if such facilities were provided before houses were handed over this would lessen problems they normally experienced.
Having no bridges in the area is a problem which requires urgent attention. (70)
The findings from this theme highlighted the importance of proper planning from all line departments in order to ensure that all services were provided simultaneously which the officials have acknowledged. The RDP interpreted adequate housing as a viable vision of integrating communities to access economic opportunities as well as “health, educational and social amenities”. This was reaffirmed in the Housing Act of 1997, that housing development should be established in areas allowing for convenient access to “economic opportunities, health, educational and social amenities” (see DoH 1997). The identification of suitable land for housing development should ensure that such facilities are provided in order to complete the integration. The Constitution gives mandates to the government of South Africa to ensure that when communities are relocated to new areas access to basic services, facilities and amenities meet the conditions which have been set by the Bill of Rights (BoR) (see MacDonald, 1998). As a result, Cornubia project was aimed at addressing challenges of informal settlements from a holistic point of view (see eThekwini, 2015).
6.5.5. Theme 5: Stakeholder involvement
This theme was aimed at determining the level of community involvement in decisions that affected them. Communities should be involved during the planning process for new housing developments. The theme involved the attendance of meetings by the community from the time the informal settlement is identified for relocations up until occupation is taken. Once a settlement has been identified for relocation to new housing development, municipal officials should get into contact with the beneficiaries as they have to complete the necessary documents.
181 6.5.5.1. Loss of interest in community meetings
Communities as part of stakeholders indicated that they were no longer keen on attending community meetings – the reason being the failure by the municipality to meet its obligations in respect of some of the services promised in the new area of abode. Participants indicated that the level of attendance had changed since communities were relocated to the new area.
We used to attend meetings when we first resided in this area but we no longer bother. (60) The findings indicated that housing beneficiaries only showed interest in the activities of the municipality before houses were handed over to them. Once the houses had been handed over communities tended to focus on the provision of other basic services. This was an indication that communities expected that the houses provided should also include other basic services, which would complete the asset. Housing policies should clearly define property rights, which also deal with issues of community involvement (see UN Habitat, 1999). The findings of the theme also revealed that community involvement was not clearly defined in housing policies in terms of how far communities should be involved in issues affecting them. The impression created by communities was that they should only be involved once a project was in its last stages. This is a clear indication that community involvement has not been prioritised in housing development.
6.5.5.2. Capacitating communities
Encouraging community participation is another strategy that municipalities can use to capacitate communities on issues affecting them. Communities are always at ease when involved in all activities of the municipality. Officials were concerned about the level of attendance in community meetings on issues affecting them. The result has been that communities have lost interest in the activities of the municipality. Respondents did acknowledge that resorting to taking a back seat is not good for them, and for the progress of municipal activities.
There is nothing interesting in the meetings called by our leaders. (41)
The findings further indicated that discussions in community meetings were not aimed at capacitating communities, but that there were certain agendas which were brought forward by the leaders. Even relocating communities to new areas of abode requires continuous engagement with stakeholders. This promotes a sense of community and nation building – and