In the Western Cape, oversight teams travel to towns like George, Mossel Bay, and Knysna to check on housing projects and talk with local communities. Their goal is to make sure people live in safe, decent homes and that informal settlements improve over time. They see progress in new houses and upgraded neighborhoods, but also face big challenges like unsafe buildings and lack of services. These visits remind everyone that building good homes is a continuous effort, needing teamwork between government and residents. The journey shows hope and a strong promise to create better places for all.
Oversight in the Western Cape ensures effective implementation of housing policies through site visits, community engagement, and collaboration between government levels. It promotes dignified housing, integrated urban development, financial inclusion, and continuous improvement in informal settlements across towns like George, Mossel Bay, and Knysna.
As July 2025 arrived, the chill in the Western Cape air did nothing to cool the energy inside George’s council chamber. The Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements had gathered for a two-day oversight mission, traveling through George, Mossel Bay, and Knysna. These excursions weren’t just formalities—they served as crucial touchpoints at the intersection of policy, daily life, and the enduring quest for dignified housing in South Africa.
The Western Cape presents a portrait shaped by stark contrasts: expansive beaches and ancient forests stand shoulder to shoulder with bustling informal settlements. Generational inequalities echo through its communities, rooted in a history that saw land and opportunity separated by lines both physical and social. Against this backdrop, the Committee embarked on its journey, determined to evaluate, learn, and inspire change.
Oversight visits like this one combine policy analysis with on-the-ground engagement. While led by elected officials, the process involves provincial and national government representatives, municipal leaders, and, most importantly, the residents who call these settlements home. Through these interactions, the Committee gains a nuanced understanding of both successes and the persistent gaps between intention and reality.
The first leg of the journey brought the Committee to Knysna, a town whose idyllic lagoon and green hills mask deep housing challenges. Here, the [Knysna Bangalows project ](https://capetown.today/deputy-ministers-showcasing-progress-of-south-africa-investment-projects-in-kwazulu-natal/)stood as a testament to both resilience and innovation in the aftermath of the devastating fires of 2017. The team toured clusters of new brick houses set among still-recovering landscapes, noting the progress from makeshift emergency shelters to more permanent, dignified structures.
Officials highlighted the Human Settlements Development Grant and the Integrated Urban Settlements Upgrading Grant (ISUPG) as central pillars of recent progress. These grants—directed at both infrastructure and housing—aim to reshape not only the physical environment but also support broader community development. Since South Africa’s policy shift in the early 2000s, the approach to housing has increasingly focused on integrated urban development, echoing global trends toward sustainable, inclusive cities.
Personal stories brought the statistics to life. One Knysna grandmother, once sheltering her family in a fragile wooden shack, now welcomed the Committee into her sturdy, well-lit home—a symbol of tangible change. Meanwhile, at the Temporal Relocation Site, the contrast was stark: rows of converted shipping containers provided shelter, but underscored the need for continued investment in lasting solutions. Residents openly shared their aspirations and frustrations, reminding all present that real progress must address both material and emotional security.
Mossel Bay, the Committee’s next stop, offered a glimpse into the diversity of housing interventions underway across the province. The Sinethemba Project showcased the strategy of “in situ” upgrading—where authorities work to improve conditions in existing informal settlements without forcibly relocating residents to the urban periphery. This approach preserves established community networks, fostering a sense of continuity and belonging while incrementally raising living standards.
Elsewhere, in the Breaking New Ground Project in New Rest, the Committee observed new housing developments on previously unused land. Here, infrastructure like roads, water, and electricity was integrated from the outset, supporting not only homes but also community life. Residents proudly invited visitors into their houses, each space reflecting individuality and hope for a stable future.
A third initiative, the Mountain View First Home Finance Project, pointed toward the evolution of policy beyond simply providing shelter. By partnering with local banks and non-governmental organizations, the government enabled more families to access financing, promoting long-term ownership and financial stability. Training workshops on financial literacy and business development complemented the construction efforts, expanding the impact of housing investments.
Despite these successes, Mossel Bay’s Izinyoka Informal Settlement demonstrated the scale of remaining challenges. Many families still lacked secure tenure, reliable services, or access to economic opportunities. The Committee’s engagement here signaled a renewed commitment to ensuring that no settlement would be left behind—an ongoing promise woven through South Africa’s post-apartheid transformation.
The oversight tour concluded in George, a city recently thrust into the national spotlight after the tragic collapse of a building, which claimed several lives and exposed serious lapses in oversight and construction standards. The Committee’s visit to the scene was somber, marked by discussions with engineers, survivors, and local leaders about the underlying causes and the urgent need for regulatory reform.
Yet even amid crisis, stories of community resilience emerged. In Moeggehuur Informal Settlements (Houtkapperjie), residents participated in pilot programs focused on participatory planning, where local voices helped shape decisions about upgrading and service delivery. The Syferfornein Project (ERF 325) introduced a mixed-use design, blending residential spaces with areas for small businesses and social gatherings—a nod to international best practices in fostering vibrant, inclusive neighborhoods.
Throughout George’s informal settlements—Rosedale and Metro Grounds—the Committee observed incremental but meaningful improvements: new water points, expanded electrical access, and safer pathways. These changes, while small in isolation, represented a shift toward recognizing informal settlements not as problems to be erased, but as communities to be nurtured and integrated into the urban fabric. Conversations with local children, laughter echoing through the air, offered a powerful reminder that every policy decision ultimately impacts real lives and future generations.
The Committee’s two-day oversight visit did more than catalog buildings and services—it mapped the aspirations, setbacks, and innovations shaping the Western Cape’s urban landscape. Through a blend of policy discussion, community engagement, and site inspections, the delegation deepened its understanding of what works and what remains to be achieved.
This journey highlighted the evolving nature of South Africa’s housing policy, which now encompasses not just shelter, but integrated urban living, financial inclusion, and participatory governance. International influences, from Latin American “favela upgrading” to Asian models of community-driven planning, have contributed to the local approach, but every project remains distinctly rooted in the country’s own context and needs.
Above all, the experience reinforced a central truth: the work of building dignified, inclusive cities is never finished. It requires constant adaptation, persistent oversight, and genuine partnership with the people at the heart of every settlement. As the Committee returned to the provincial capital, they carried with them not just detailed reports, but renewed resolve to champion a future where everyone in the Western Cape can call a safe and dignified place their home.
Oversight visits aim to evaluate and ensure the effective implementation of housing policies across towns like George, Mossel Bay, and Knysna. These visits involve checking the quality of housing projects, engaging with local communities, and assessing progress in upgrading informal settlements. The ultimate goal is to guarantee that residents live in safe, decent homes and that settlements improve sustainably over time through collaboration between government and communities.
Key towns receiving focused oversight include George, Mossel Bay, and Knysna. Each area presents unique challenges and opportunities:
– Knysna has seen rebuilding efforts after the 2017 fires, with new permanent brick homes replacing emergency shelters.
– Mossel Bay showcases innovative projects like in situ upgrading and financial inclusion initiatives to promote home ownership.
– George faces urgent challenges following tragic building collapses but also demonstrates community-driven upgrading and mixed-use developments.
Challenges include:
– Unsafe and poorly constructed buildings, which pose health and safety risks.
– Lack of basic services such as water, electricity, and sanitation.
– Insecure tenure and land rights, which hinder residents’ ability to invest in their homes.
– Economic obstacles, limiting access to financing and livelihood opportunities.
– Need for continued community participation to ensure solutions meet local needs and foster a sense of belonging.
Grants like the Human Settlements Development Grant and the Integrated Urban Settlements Upgrading Grant (ISUPG) provide crucial funding for infrastructure, housing construction, and community development. These grants promote integrated urban development, supporting not only physical improvements but also social inclusion and economic opportunities. They enable both new housing projects and upgrading of existing informal settlements.
Community participation is central to the success of housing projects. Through participatory planning, residents contribute their knowledge, express needs and aspirations, and help shape upgrading initiatives. This approach helps preserve social networks, fosters ownership, and improves long-term sustainability. Examples include pilot programs in informal settlements like Moeggehuur in George, where local voices guide service delivery and design.
Recent oversight missions have emphasized that building dignified, inclusive urban spaces is an ongoing process requiring:
– Continuous monitoring and adaptation of policies and projects.
– Strong partnerships between national, provincial, and local governments, NGOs, financial institutions, and communities.
– Integrated approaches that combine housing with infrastructure, economic empowerment, and social services.
– Recognition of informal settlements as communities to nurture, not problems to eradicate.
Moving forward, sustained commitment and collaboration will be essential to ensure every resident in the Western Cape can live in a safe, dignified home.
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