Deep emotional ties to land are creating significant obstacles to relocating communities vulnerable to disaster, according to Human Settlements Minister Thembi Nkadimeng. The minister stated that many residents would rather remain in harm’s way than leave their homes and neighborhoods.
Long-Standing Relocation ‘Failures’ Questioned
During a question-and-answer session with the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday, Minister Nkadimeng faced questions regarding the government’s relocation efforts. DA MP Frederik Badenhorst pointed to residents in the Collins Chabane Local Municipality in Limpopo, who have lived in a floodplain for 36 years and repeatedly lost their homes to flooding, questioning why they have not been permanently relocated despite years of recorded damage.
Minister Cites Resistance from Communities
Nkadimeng acknowledged the challenges in relocating people, citing resistance from communities. She noted that in the 2025 Lamontville floods in KwaZulu-Natal, four families refused to move, despite the disaster claiming the lives of three siblings and displacing over 200 people. Similar resistance was reported in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, where residents had been warned of potential flooding nine years prior to a disaster that claimed 100 lives.
Engagement Preferred Over Coercion
The minister emphasized a commitment to avoiding forced relocation, contrasting current approaches with those used during the apartheid regime. “We unfortunately do not have powers that the apartheid government had, and we don’t want them,” Nkadimeng stated, adding she would rather engage with residents to uncover amenable solutions, even if it requires repeated visits. Residents in Khutsong, Gauteng, reportedly expressed a willingness to remain in their homes even if they were to sink.
Push for Faster Housing Solutions
To address the housing backlog and expedite relocation when necessary, Nkadimeng announced plans to introduce Innovative Building Technologies (IBTs). These sustainable and faster building methods aim to reduce the time it takes to build permanent homes from years to 14-28 days, eliminating the necessitate for temporary accommodation. Treasury has approved 2% of the department’s R34 billion budget to support the implementation of IBTs, and schools in the Western Cape have already begun utilizing these technologies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What challenges is the department facing with relocation efforts?
The department is encountering resistance from communities who are reluctant to leave their homes and neighborhoods due to emotional ties to the land and their history there.
What is the government’s approach to relocation now compared to the apartheid era?
The government is prioritizing engagement and consent, and will not forcibly remove people, unlike the practices of the apartheid regime.
What are Innovative Building Technologies (IBTs)?
IBTs are sustainable and faster building methods that aim to reduce the time it takes to build permanent homes, potentially from years to 14-28 days.
Given the complexities of balancing safety with deeply held community connections, how can government best support vulnerable populations facing disaster risks while respecting their autonomy?
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