EDITOR ' S NOTE
Despite the pandemic , construction cannot shut down
Rory Macnamara , Editor
That it took a pandemic to show the weakness of housing , water and sanitation is an indictment on our government as enablers of creating workable , efficient , and smooth legislation that business can operate in .
The provision of housing , water and sanitation is a basic right . It is good that Human Settlements , Water & Sanitation have acknowledged this failing and are moving to address these shortcomings . Nonetheless , as we are all called upon to not forget our dreadful past , a reminder is appropriate that part of that past is the current government ’ s role in not ensuring basic human rights were provided . It would be churlish not to acknowledge that there has been good work done both in certain municipal and private sectors in building affordable housing as well as seriously refurbishing inner city buildings that have been lain to waste for decades . The fact remains that it has just not been enough ! Whatever happens with the pandemic going forward , the Construction industry must not be shut down again . Of course , precautions must be taken to protect all involved , but nothing must stop the building of housing and the supply of potable water and sanitation . This issue looks at the excellent work being done by Gauteng Partnership Fund ( GPF ) and private developers working in conjunction with JOSHCO in converting a massive office block into residential rental units . We also cover the SA Affordable Housing Developers Association ( SAARDA ) who are at the receiving end of slow and in most cases dysfunctional municipalities who are still to learn they are servants of the people and not the people beholden to them .
Listening to a recent webinar by the Social Housing Regulatory Authority ( SHAZ ) and their commitment to being more pro- active is encouraging .
But food for thought for all the different government / provincial bodies – bring business together on this journey . Together one can achieve so much more . Enable business – this is your role .
In future issues we will make every effort to showcase both new and refurbished developments and the innovations applied . Equally , talk to us about such developments . You can reach me at rory @ interactmedia . co . za
Rory
www . saaffordablehousing . co . za NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 3