N West looks to improve housing quality

Friday, May 3, 2013

Pretoria - North West Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison MEC, Nono Maloyi, has encouraged housing developers contracted by the department to work with the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) to ensure that they build quality houses.

Speaking during the recent provincial Govan Mbeki Awards, held at the Rustenburg Civic Centre, Maloyi said working hand-in-hand with the NHBRC will reduce the increasing number of rectifications that need to be carried out on houses in the province.

“If you are contracted by the department and you work closely with the NHBRC, you are guaranteed to build quality houses. That will save us time and money not [having to] deal with rectifications,” Maloyi said.

The Govan Mbeki Awards are designed to recognise outstanding performance among contractors who build quality houses and go the extra mile in making sure that people are housed in the true sense of human settlements.

The awards are also meant to motivate all stakeholders in the Human Settlements arena to work harder towards eradicating informal settlements in the province and the country at large.

“It is through your efforts that as government, we will achieve the creation of human settlements that are habitable and also home to millions of fellow South Africans who continue to live in abject poverty.

“Human Settlements is not just about building houses. It is about transforming our cities and towns and building cohesive, sustainable and caring communities, with closer access to work and social amenities, including sports and recreation facilities,” Maloyi said.

Tlokwe Local Municipality was awarded the Best Accredited Municipality.

Anglo American Platinum Mine went home with the Best Finance Linked Subsidy Project, following their successful Seraleng housing project for their employees.

Toro ya Africa scooped an award for the Best Community Residential Units project in Tlokwe Local Municipality.

Tlhabangani Trade Enterprise also managed to secure a place in the national edition of the awards when they took first place in the Best People’s Housing Process Project (PHP) category, while the Best Informal Settlement Upgraded Project was awarded to Synchrocom (Pty) Ltd.

Godirela Civils received the Best Rural Project award, while Barzani Development was awarded the Best Youth Contractor.  The Best Woman Contractor was awarded to L&R Welding. – SAnews.gov.za