Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane and Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga have pledged to eliminate the housing backlog for military veterans by 2029. This commitment was made during a recent engagement with community members and housing beneficiaries in the uMshwathi Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal. The undertaking aligns with President Cyril Ramaphosa's call for Ministers to prioritize the completion of existing projects, including the military veterans' housing backlog.
Minister Motshekga stated, "Together with Minister Simelane, we shall endeavour to do our best to finish what we can during this term of office. Military veterans sacrificed their lives and families so that we can have a free and democratic South Africa, and they should be honoured." Minister Simelane added, "I take comfort [in the fact] that the procurement process to appoint contractors to build 976 units is at an advanced stage. We challenge those appointed to deliver on time, within budget and quality."
Action and Verification Process
Ministers have directed provinces to verify all bona fide military veterans requiring housing, initiating a process to identify eligible beneficiaries. In the province of KwaZulu-Natal, 490 veterans have been confirmed as needing housing to date.
During the event, Ministers handed over houses to military veterans. They also provided 500 title deeds to qualifying beneficiaries, formalizing their property ownership. These houses are part of the uMshwathi Integrated Residential Development Programme (IRDP), a larger initiative designed to deliver 2,922 housing units in total. To date, 744 units have been completed and handed over under the uMshwathi IRDP, contributing to the overall housing delivery efforts.
Housing Initiatives and Progress
South Africa commemorates Freedom Month on April 27, marking the nation's transition from apartheid to a democratic country. Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has commended the provincial government and the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality for their efforts in providing permanent housing to victims of the 2022 KwaZulu-Natal floods. Simelane’s remarks acknowledged the progress made in addressing the aftermath of the natural disaster.
During a visit to Cornubia, 113 housing units were reported to be nearing completion, with their handover anticipated in May 2026. The procurement process to appoint contractors for the construction of 976 units designated for flood victims is currently at an advanced stage. Minister Simelane reiterated the importance of this work, stating, “I take comfort [in the fact] that the procurement process to appoint contractors to build 976 units is at an advanced stage. We challenge those appointed to deliver on time, within budget and quality.” A total of 1,200 families are expected to benefit from the Cornubia flood recovery project, which is scheduled for completion in June 2026.
Ministerial Commitment and Vision
The commitment to eradicate the housing backlog for military veterans by 2029 was jointly announced by Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane and Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga. This pledge was made during their engagement with community members and housing beneficiaries in the uMshwathi Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. The ministers' declaration aligns with President Cyril Ramaphosa's directive for cabinet members to prioritize the completion of existing projects, specifically including the housing needs of military veterans.
Minister Motshekga stated, "Together with Minister Simelane, we shall endeavour to do our best to finish what we can during this term of office. Military veterans sacrificed their lives and families so that we can have a free and democratic South Africa, and they should be honoured." Minister Simelane added, "I take comfort [in the fact] that the procurement process to appoint contractors to build 976 units is at an advanced stage. We challenge those appointed to deliver on time, within budget and quality."