Overview of the International Relations Commitments of the Department of Human Settlements

1. Overview of the International Relations Commitments of the Department of Human Settlements Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, October 2012

2. Presentation Outline Rationale for international Relations Commitments Approach Strategic Intent Overview of existing International Commitments

3. 1. Rationale for International Co-operation in Human Settlements • To receive technical assistance and knowledge on international best practice • To influence our policies and practices arising from international policy prescripts and best practice • To form part of international debates on human settlement issues to: • Shape the debate on human settlements as an urgent global priority • Defend our constitution and policies • Provide leadership and an example

4. 2. Approach to International Co-operation • International programme for the Department of Human Settlements has a dual function • Serving the interest of the Department in achieving its mandate of creating sustainable human settlements • Serving the interest of the country through international advocacy and technical assistance • Context: South African Foreign Policy priorities • Consolidation of the African Agenda • Strengthening South-South co-operation • Strengthening North-South co-operation • Participation in the Global System of Governance • Strengthening Political and Economic Relations

5. 3. Strategic intent • Focused International Programme that directly support human settlement programmes • Maximise our benefits from international best practices and knowledge exchange • Empower the functional units and the sector to identify areas where the Department can derive more practical benefits • Strengthening our foot print in the African continent in pursued of the African Agenda

6. 4. Overview of International Commitments of the Department of Human Settlements • Angola -Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Co-operation in the field of Human Settlements, signed 2009 • China- Contract on implementation of the China-Assisted 170 Dwelling Unit Economical Housing project in Thaba Chweu, 2010 • Cuba- Agreement on Employment of Cuban Technical Advisors by relevant South African Provincial Departments of Housing, 2007 • Denmark- an Agreement for the Mainstreaming of Energy Efficiency in the Low Income Housing Sector in South Africa, 2005

7. 4. Overview ( continued) Democratic Republic of Congo- Co-operation in the field of Human Settlements signed, February 2006 ( expired) Netherlands- Arrangement on co-operation in the field of Social Rental Housing, extended June 2010 India- Brazil- South Africa (IBSA)- a Memorandum of Understanding on co-operation in the field of Human Settlements, October 2008 Youth Build International A Social Compact entered with and between the Department of Housing, Youth Build International and UMSOBOMVU Youth Fund, February 2008

8. 4. Overview ( continued) • Cities Alliance - the Cities Alliance was established in 1999 as a “coalition of cities and their development partners” to primarily address 2 strategic areas through technical assistance grants – City Development Strategies and Slum Upgrading, South Africa became a member in 2006. • African Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development (AMCHUD) – SA is the member of AMCHUD Bureau and pay annual contributions to enable effective implementation of AMCHUD Programme. • United Nations Programme for Human Settlements (UNHABITAT) – SA is the member of the UN HABITAT, participates in its Governing Council and the World Urban Forum

9. Memorandum of Understanding with Angola • Support an earnest attempt to address human settlements challenge in a fellow Southern African country • Providing opportunities for growth of South Africa’s construction and property development sector • Co-operate in human settlements policy development, capacity building, technical knowledge exchange, Exchange visits, knowledge and expertise Status to date • Department participated in the last Bi-National Commission held in December 2011 • The agreed work programme still not fully implemented • Implementation was halted due to recent elections in Angola • Proposed Technical Visit by Angola still outstanding

10. Exchange of Notes on the China Assisted low-Income Housing Project in Graskop • 170 low-income houses constructed “free” by Chinese government to be sold by municipality as affordable housing. Proceeds to fund further low-income housing projects in Thaba chweu Municipality • Learning from Chinese construction techniques in terms of reducing waste, reducing errors, high quality construction for low cost Status to date • Currently, the project has registered significant progress with 120, roofed houses, the wall plates 17, slabs 29 and two untouched sites. • The Department is in a process of establishing a formal structure to co-ordinate the outstanding issues all stakeholders • Project is expected to be completed by August 2013

11. Memorandum of Understanding with Cuba • Agreement signed in 2004 on the Employment of Cuban Technical Advisors in the relevant South African Provincial Departments of Housing • Co-ordinated through the South Africa-Cuba Technical Support Programme • 53 Cuban Engineers and Architects working in 7 provinces in Phase 1, and 45 in phase 2, • Contribution to PHP through development of manuals to guide beneficiaries, assistance to PHP projects • Innovative housing designs adapted for local conditions and guidelines for house designs in adverse environmental conditions Status to date • 33 more CTAs have been recruited during the recent visit to Cuba to work in the National Sanitation Programme, Mpumalanga and the Western Cape Provinces • This will constitute a total of 56 CTAs currently employed through this programme in Phase 03

12. Memorandum of Understanding with Denmark Overview • Agreement signed on the mainstreaming of Energy efficiency measures in low cost housing • R 20 million for the energy-efficiency in low-income housing project on N2 Gateway project • Mainstream these approaches into low-income housing • Find innovative ways in which to finance energy-efficient improvements Status • The Department has appointed the WCPDHS as its implementing agent • The Department continue to manage the risk associted with this project with the donor • Jointly oversee the project with the donor through an established Project Steering Committee • The construction of the houses is in progress and installation of the solar geysers will finally begin • The project is expected to be completed/closed by April 2013

13. Arrangement on Co-operation in the field of Social Rental Housing with the Netherlands • Over R1 billion in guarantees, loans and investments into the social housing sector in South Africa • 4 long term technical advisors to assist in policy development and capacity building • Short term advisors to assist on specialist tasks • Learning from the Dutch model and experience, over 100 years on implementation of social rental housing Status to date • South Africa undertook a study visit to the Netherlands and also participated during the Annual Review Meeting in November/December 2011 • 2012 Annual Implementation Plan agreed to and under implementation • South Africa will this year host the Annual Review meeting between the two governments in November 2012

14. Social Compact with Youth Build International • Opportunity to pilot the Youth in Human Settlements programme with the National Youth Development Agency, Youth Build International (A US organisation funded by the US Dept. of Labor) and Habitat for Humanity in Gauteng • 76 houses constructed by youth volunteers in Ivory park Status • 176 youth have being trained in construction related skills. • 100 units in both Ivory Park phase 01 and phase 02 have been completed by youth • Youth Build project successfully rolled out in Nkomazi Municipality, Dr JS Local Municipality and Albert Luthuli Municipality, Mpumalanga

15. Memorandum of Understanding with India and Brazil under IBSA • A trilateral arrangement between India, Brazil and SA to promote South-South cooperation and exchange on areas of common interests. • Within the IBSA Dialogue forum, Department participate in the Working Group on Human Settlements which was formally established in 2008 . • Focus area of Working Group on Human Settlements is exchange of information and experience particularly on slums upgrading. Status to date: • Further strengthening of the knowledge/information exchange amongst practitioners of the three countries through: a) hosting of a workshop in 2011; b) Virtual site in 2011 c)Appointment of anchor institutions - developed a strategy outlining ongoing trilateral collaboration and knowledge exchange amongst experts in three countries.

16. UN-HABITAT United Nations Programme on Human Settlements • South Africa is member of UN HABITAT which is mandated to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. • South Africa participate in the UN HABITAT Governing Council which discusses amongst others programme and budget of the UN HABITAT. • South Africa participates in the drafting of resolutions of the Governing Council to promote Africa’s interests. • South Africa participated in the World Urban Forum since its inception in 2002 and articulates its position effectively to influence decisions on urban development Status to date • South Africa participated in the 6th World Urban Forum held in Naples Italy, from 1-7 September 2012. • South Africa’s participation at 6TH WUF was discussed at the roundtable discussion for report back and launch of the Human Settlements and Urban Forum held on 30 October 2012

17. Member of AMCHUD Bureau African Ministers’ Conference on Housing and Urban Development • It is the initiative of Housing Ministers of Africa established in 2005. • Its role is to address issues of urban development such as migration to urban areas (urbanization) and shortage of housing in order to realize sustainable human settlements. • SA was the interim Secretariat of AMCHUD since 2005 Status to date • South Africa relinquished the Secretariat role to Kenya in 2012 March. • In December 2012, South Africa will host Kenya as part of handover of Secretariat function. • South Africa still participates in AMCHUD Bureau (governing body) and pays annual contributions to enable effective implementation of AMCHUD Programme to deal with human settlements challenges.

18. Cities Alliance Member of the Cities Alliance and member of Cities Alliance Executive Committee • It is an organization or an alliance of World Cities with a common goal of identifying successful approaches to poverty reduction. • It is made up Executive Committee and the Consultative Groups which discuss and decides on budget and programme of the Alliance. • SA became the member of Cities Alliance in 2006 and 2009 -2012 was elected member of Executive Committee to influence work Programme and funding proposals Status to date • SA membership to Cities Alliance was further extended in January 2012 for further five years • SA continues to advocate for betterment of Africa (i.e support to AMCHUD )and support for our programmes such as strengthening of the National Slums Upgrading Project. • Provide knowledge, expertise and experience

19. Thank You