Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to share lessons learnt during the intervention in the Eastern Cape provincial department of housing by the National department, to upscale the delivery of housing in the province. This is a case study approach focusing on the housing delivery system in the Eastern Cape. The researcher being a member of the intervention team observed, intervened and reported on progress achieved by the intervention. It was found that: (1) to build capacity to improve the performance of an institution requires a look at individual capacity, institutional capacity and environmental capacity; (2) any
intervention in a system must be preceded by a diagnostic phase; (3) for any intervention in a human system, change management is critical and lastly, that worker engagement and empowerment is critical. The delivery of housing in South Africa is marred by what is perceived as ‘lack of capacity’. This paper will enhance the ability of government to intervene where there is under-performance.