CONTRIBUTORS
are solutions available , which are being offered by the private sector , and which could go a long way to helping and improving the performance of the public sector . Municipalities must make use of professional private sector capacity , who can assist in some of these processes . Where internal capacity is lacking , private sector professionals can assist with investigations and verifications which are commonly undertaken in the approvals process . We understand that our institutional system is not able to cope with what is needed .
Further , it is not just about skills and capacity , but about accountability and responsibility . There is much hype currently about professionalisation of the public service – and it is a good start – but being a skilled professional and being ethical and responsible are different things . Yes , we need to ensure that people who are appointed to certain positions will have the basic competencies to meet the outputs . But beyond that , we need to start taking accountability seriously . While government continues its mission to combat procedural inefficiencies and irregularity , the private sector should be called in to provide skills and oversight which can help correct the current state of the affordable housing sector . Industry bodies such as Consulting Engineers South Africa ( CESA ) are one such resource to be leveraged . Our members are held to a high code of ethics as well as high standards of performance , yet we remain an untapped resource . I once again encourage government to leverage our network of professionals and work with us to improve the lives of our fellow South Africans , especially as we work towards economic recovery . Collaboration would surely mean a win for all involved .
“ It is not just about skills and capacity , but about accountability and responsibility … Being a skilled professional and being ethical and responsible are different things .”
8 MAY - JUNE 2021 SAAffordHousing saaffordablehousingmag SA Affordable Housing www . saaffordablehousing . co . za