Abstract
Background: After the apartheid era, many policies were introduced to redress the past imbalances of inequality and oppression. One of the policies that was implemented, was the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), with a view to redressing past social and economic imbalances. The programme has its successes and failures in terms of the provision of housing which led to the introduction of other programmes such as the Breaking New Ground policy (BNG) and the Upgrading of Informal Settlement Programme (UISP). Yet, even today, many South Africans continue to have inadequate housing which is exemplified through the growing number of informal settlements.
Aim: The aim of this study was to identify perceived barriers to housing delivery in the informal settlement of Tjovito, Orange Farm.
Methods: This study used a narrative qualitative research approach. The study sample consisted of housing applicants, community committee members, one local ward councillor and two housing officials from the Department of Human Settlement (DHS). Purposive and snowball sampling was used to recruit participants who were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Findings: The key findings that emerged were that poor departmental allocation of resources is perceived as a barrier to housing for applicants. Secondly, perceptions of corruption and nepotism fuel housing applicants’ mistrust towards the DHS and lastly slow housing provision undermines housing applicant’s rights to decent living conditions.
Conclusion: Findings suggest that slow provision of housing in South Africa is a complex issue and there is no consensus on who is responsible for poor housing provision. It is the contention of this research, that all parties involved hold some responsibility for poor or slow housing provision for the community of the Tjovitjo.
Key Words: Adequate housing, housing backlog, RDP housing, right to housing, applicants, beneficiaries, corruption, informal settlements, serviced stands, housing officials.