Minister Thembi Simelane shared a hopeful vision for South Africa’s cities, focusing on building more affordable homes fast and making sure people have secure land rights. She wants everyone – from the poorest to middle-income families – to feel part of growing, safe, and green urban communities. Simelane called for teamwork between government, businesses, and communities to turn big ideas into real homes and opportunities. Her message was clear: lasting change happens when people work together to build cities where everyone can thrive.
Minister Simelane emphasizes speeding up affordable housing delivery, securing land tenure, expanding support to middle-income families, fostering public-private partnerships, and promoting inclusive, climate-resilient urban development through collaboration among government, civil society, and the private sector.
In the heart of Durban, the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre recently played host to a pivotal gathering: the second National Urban Forum. With delegates from government, industry, and civil society filling the expansive venue, the air crackled with a sense of shared mission. At the helm stood Minister Thembi Simelane, whose address set a thoughtful yet urgent tone as South Africa faces a period marked by both incredible challenges and unique opportunities.
The timing of this forum could not be more significant. South Africa, in the coming year, holds the presidency of both the G20 and U20, giving it a powerful voice on the international stage. The nation is also preparing its next four-year progress report on the New Urban Agenda, a key United Nations initiative aimed at fostering sustainable urbanization. This convergence of local and global responsibilities arrives as the world marks a decade since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals – an ambitious vision to which South Africa is deeply committed.
As Minister Simelane stood before her peers, she called for honest reflection on the transformation of South African cities. Remnants of apartheid’s spatial divisions remain etched in suburb and settlement, shaping daily realities for millions. The Minister urged those present to move beyond abstract debates and focus on pragmatic steps that could truly change lives, especially for the country’s most vulnerable residents.
Minister Simelane’s speech framed the Department of Human Settlements’ priorities with clarity and resolve. She drew attention to the urgent need to speed up the delivery of homes and serviced land, with a focus on those living in the poorest conditions. At the same time, she highlighted the importance of expanding eligibility for housing support so that middle-income families – who often fall through the cracks – also gain access to safe and affordable homes.
The issue of informal settlements featured prominently in her message. Addressing these communities requires not only improving physical structures but also ensuring secure land tenure. The Minister emphasized the need to fast-track the issuing of title deeds, which unlocks economic opportunities and legal security for families. By advancing social housing initiatives, the government aims to create more equitable urban spaces where everyone has a stake in the community’s future.
Simelane’s insistence on practical action reflected a country-wide recognition: transformation cannot be achieved through policy pronouncements alone. Proper implementation, rooted in local realities, forms the backbone of any meaningful progress. She reminded attendees that the department’s agenda is not simply a bureaucratic checklist, but a response to urgent, lived needs – homes, dignity, and opportunity for all.
Throughout her address, Minister Simelane returned to the essential theme of partnership. She referenced foundational documents like the 2014 Social Contract and the new 2024 White Paper for Human Settlements, underscoring the principle that lasting change emerges from shared vision. The National Urban Forum serves as more than just a platform for discussion – it is a crucible for forging consensus among diverse stakeholders, from policymakers and business leaders to grassroots activists.
Simelane’s call for unity was not a mere rhetorical flourish. South Africa’s history is filled with moments when dialogue – though difficult – brought about transformative change. She reminded the forum that such consensus-building is not optional; it is the only way to bridge the divide between intention and impact. The stark differences between affluent suburbs and informal settlements serve as a constant reminder that policy gains meaning only when it brings real improvements to people’s lives.
The forum’s design encouraged deep engagement. Structured deliberations enabled participants to move beyond slogans, wrestling with the gritty details of urban transformation. In this way, the National Urban Forum becomes a space where ideals meet implementation, and where South Africa’s future cities are imagined collectively.
Few challenges loom as large as the ongoing struggle for affordable housing. Minister Simelane acknowledged that this issue, far from being unique to South Africa, forms part of a global pattern. Across continents, cities wrestle with rapid urbanization, growing inequality, and the chronic shortfall of accessible homes. South Africa’s situation, however, is complicated by the legacy of apartheid and the resulting mosaic of privilege and deprivation.
Confronting this challenge requires ingenuity. The Minister advocated for a broader range of financial solutions, such as green bonds and pooled investments, to supplement traditional funding mechanisms. She highlighted the potential of public-private partnerships to bring new expertise and resources to the housing sector, urging stakeholders to embrace innovative financing models that are already gaining traction worldwide.
Beyond bricks and mortar, Simelane reflected on the broader significance of housing. She likened the current efforts to early 20th-century movements that sought to reshape cities as engines of equity and creativity. Just as the Bauhaus school aimed to merge functionality with visionary design, South Africa’s housing initiatives aspire to create environments where people do more than simply survive – they thrive as part of a dynamic, inclusive urban tapestry.
Minister Simelane’s vision placed strong emphasis on the power of collective action. Invoking the African philosophy of Ubuntu – acknowledging that one’s humanity is intertwined with that of others – she called for deeper collaboration between government, civil society, and the private sector. Only through such alliances, she insisted, can the nation unlock new forms of funding, technical know-how, and community-driven solutions.
The shifting landscape of international aid adds urgency to this approach. As donor nations increasingly turn inward, South Africa must prioritize homegrown strategies and innovative partnerships. The Minister pointed out that success in housing development stimulates broader economic growth, creating jobs in construction, manufacturing, and emerging technologies.
This spirit of partnership also echoes the collaborative ethos of the Sustainable Development Goals, which frame cities as sites of shared responsibility. Simelane’s message made it clear that the future of urban South Africa depends on the willingness of all sectors to find common cause and pool their strengths.
Minister Simelane placed South Africa’s urban agenda within the broader context of global progress. She recounted the country’s journey since the adoption of the New Urban Agenda in Quito in 2016, noting that robust participation from provinces and communities has shaped the drafting of the second national progress report. Public consultations – held both face-to-face and online – are giving voice to the diverse experiences and aspirations of people from every corner of the country.
The Minister’s approach reflects a fundamental lesson of history: sustainable urban development requires genuine engagement with the communities it seeks to serve. South Africa’s tradition of town hall meetings and grassroots activism, from the anti-apartheid era through to today, continues to inform the nation’s urban policy. The consultations for the New Urban Agenda represent a renewal of this legacy, ensuring that no voice goes unheard.
In embracing these participatory processes, South Africa signals its readiness to learn from both past mistakes and global best practices. The National Urban Forum thus becomes a laboratory for innovation, where lessons from cities across the world merge with local wisdom.
Affordable and adequate housing, Minister Simelane stressed, cannot be separated from other pillars of sustainable urban life. She outlined the need for secure access to land, affordable finance, ethical market practices, and resilience in the face of environmental shocks. South African cities, like their counterparts worldwide, must brace for the disruptions of climate change, economic instability, and rapid population growth.
The Minister’s holistic vision connects South Africa’s efforts to broader movements in urban planning and architecture. She cited global trends – from postwar European reconstruction to contemporary experiments in climate-resilient cities – as evidence that innovation thrives when society works together. In this light, green building practices and regenerative urban development offer exciting paths for South African cities to follow.
The commitment to multidimensional solutions marks a departure from approaches that treat housing as a simple commodity. Instead, the government sees each new home as a building block for a more just, inclusive, and resilient society.
The deliberations at the National Urban Forum carry echoes of historic South African moments when dialogue shifted the nation’s destiny. The outcomes of this gathering will shape not only policy at home but also the country’s contributions to upcoming international events, such as the Africa Urban Forum and the World Urban Forum. These platforms offer opportunities for South Africa to both share its experiences and draw inspiration from others facing similar challenges.
Minister Simelane’s closing words recalled the power of consensus and shared vision to drive social transformation. She encouraged participants to see themselves as co-authors of a new chapter in South Africa’s urban history – a story in which cities become engines of opportunity, creativity, and cohesion.
As the forum concluded, the sense of purpose lingered. The work ahead is daunting, but the National Urban Forum has laid down a blueprint: a process of ongoing dialogue, partnership, and innovation. South Africa’s urban transformation may be a work in progress, but it is already weaving a vibrant, inclusive tapestry – one in which every citizen has a role to play.
Minister Simelane’s key priorities include accelerating the delivery of affordable housing, securing land rights for all residents, expanding housing support to middle-income families, and fostering inclusive, climate-resilient urban growth. She emphasizes collaboration between government, private sector, and communities to ensure sustainable and equitable urban development.
The National Urban Forum serves as a collaborative platform where government, businesses, civil society, and grassroots activists engage deeply on urban challenges. It moves beyond rhetoric to focus on practical solutions, consensus-building, and shared responsibility. The forum helps shape policies that are responsive to the lived realities of South Africans, creating a collective vision for future cities.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are crucial for mobilizing new expertise, funding, and innovative approaches to build affordable and sustainable housing. Minister Simelane advocates for leveraging financial tools like green bonds and pooled investments to supplement government funding. PPPs help bridge resource gaps and introduce technical know-how, making housing delivery faster and more effective.
Secure land tenure and timely issuance of title deeds provide legal security and unlock economic opportunities for families living in informal settlements and underserved areas. This security enables residents to invest in their homes, access credit, and participate fully in the urban economy, fostering more stable and equitable communities.
South Africa actively participates in international initiatives such as the New Urban Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The country’s work on the second national progress report and public consultations reflects its commitment to sustainable urbanization. South Africa leverages global best practices while integrating local experiences and traditions of community engagement to advance urban resilience and inclusivity.
Housing is seen not just as shelter but as a foundation for dignity, opportunity, and social cohesion. The government’s approach connects affordable housing with environmental sustainability, economic growth, and climate resilience. By fostering green building practices and inclusive urban design, the vision is to create cities where people thrive socially, economically, and environmentally, embodying the African philosophy of Ubuntu.
If you have more questions about South Africa’s urban future or Minister Simelane’s initiatives, feel free to ask!
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