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Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has tabled a R26.972 billion budget allocation for the 2026/27 financial year, which outlines ambitious housing delivery targets, despite mounting fiscal pressures and a growing housing backlog.

Presenting the department’s Budget Vote in Parliament on Wednesday, Simelane said the allocation forms part of a broader R81.364 billion Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) budget aimed at advancing sustainable human settlements and restoring dignity to vulnerable communities.

Conditional grant funding for the current financial year amounts to R23.679 billion, with provincial departments receiving R15.183 billion and metropolitan municipalities allocated R8.486 billion.

However, Simelane warned that ongoing budget reductions will place significant pressure on the department’s ability to meet its Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) targets.

“Our baseline has been reduced by R20.6 billion over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework. This has resulted in the reduction of Urban Settlement Development Grant (USDG) by R19.7 billion over the MTEF with R5.7 billion in 2026/27, R6.4 billion in 2027/28 and R7.1 billion in 2028/29) to fund the metro trading services,” the Minister said.

Despite the constraints, the department has set a number of delivery targets for the current financial year, and these include:

•    Delivery of 39 058 housing units;
•    Completion of 25 186 serviced sites across programmes;
•    Registration of 21 918 title deeds;
•    Delivery of 2 878 social housing units, with 2000 units fully tenanted;
•    Eradication of 6 950 mud houses;
•    Delivery of 744 housing units for military veterans, and
•    Installation of 11 215 solar systems to advance energy resilience and sustainability.

The department also plans to unblock 195 stalled housing projects and ensure that 11 358 First Home Finance subsidy applications are approved, and 9 231 subsidies disbursed to qualifying beneficiaries.

Simelane acknowledged that housing delivery remains below target, revealing that only 23 027 housing units were delivered against a target of 37 779 during the previous financial year.

“This situation cannot continue,” she said, adding that the department will take decisive action against underperforming contractors, and officials responsible for procurement delays.

Significant strides made in housing delivery

Despite challenges linked to land availability, natural disasters and funding constraints, the department reported notable progress in several key programmes during the previous financial year.

Among the achievements highlighted include:

•    Eradication of 8176 unhabitable mud houses;
•    Unblocking of 85 stalled housing projects;
•    Acquisition of 2 447 hectares of land for human settlements development through the Housing Development Agency;
•    Delivery of 24 251 serviced sites by provinces, exceeding annual targets of 13 995, and
•    Delivery of 3 031 social housing units by the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA).

The social housing programme also generated more than 12 000 job opportunities nationally, highlighting the programme’s role in supporting economic activity and employment.

In line with the Property Practitioners Act 22 of 2029, the department continued to make significant progress in advancing transformation, skills development, and participation of the previously disadvantaged within the property sector.

“Through the One Learner, One Property Practitioner Programme, we successfully placed 619 candidate property practitioners with property industry employer/host employers, thus strengthening workplace-based learning opportunities and promoting sustainable entry into the sector. We also exceeded our target for women empowerment through the Principalisation Programme, supporting 1 153 women against a target of 484,” Simelane highlighted.

The Minister said government remains committed to leveraging innovative building technologies to accelerate housing delivery and improve climate resilience.

Simelane said government has resolved that at least 2% of the Human Settlements Development Grant (HSDG) may be allocated to Innovative Building Technologies (IBTs)-related housing projects.

The department has also prioritised local manufactures, emerging contractors, youth, women and township-based enterprises, in ensuring IBTs drive inclusive economic participation and job creation.

The Minister noted that South Africa continues to face a persistent, complex and multi-layered human settlements challenge.

The housing backlog currently stands at an estimated 2.6 million units, while rapid urbanisation, historical spatial inequality, and significant unmet housing demand, continue to place pressure on municipalities and housing infrastructure.

Simelane said the department remained committed to ensuring that investments in housing translate into meaningful improvements in the lives of South Africans.

“Housing is more than shelter. It is about restoring dignity, hope and security,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

Government is developing a policy that will help introduce laws to create a clear national planning system and improve accountability across government.

According to Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa, this will enable the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) to strengthen its mandate.

The department is responsible for coordinating planning across government, monitoring progress on national priorities, and evaluating the effectiveness of key programmes in line with the National Development Plan (NDP) Vision 2030 and the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2024–2029.

Tabling the department’s Budget Vote in Parliament on Wednesday, the Minister said the development of a White Paper on Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation is underway and expected to be finalised during the 2026/27 financial year. 

During the session, the Minister outlined the department’s priorities for the 2026/27 financial year and welcomed Parliament’s endorsement of the allocated budget of R532.9 million. 

“Although the legislative process is underway, the department continues to work with stakeholders to strengthen and integrate planning, monitoring and evaluation.

“In the 2025/26 financial year, the DPME made significant progress in institutionalising the MTDP across government, ensuring stronger alignment between national priorities, departmental plans and budgets,” the Minister said.

The MTDP is the five-year plan guiding the work of the seventh administration in pursuit of three strategic national priorities: driving inclusive growth and job creation; reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living; and building a capable, ethical and developmental state.

The Minister reported that, in the previous financial year, the department worked closely with the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) to assess 55 national and provincial draft Annual Performance Plans (APPs).

She added that this marks a shift from compliance-driven to results-based planning. 

“In the process, the department continues to enhance its monitoring systems to track implementation of the MTDP and identify gaps in service delivery.

“Through this work, the department produces in-depth biannual MTDP performance monitoring reports. The latest report, covering October 2025 to March 2026, has just been finalised and shows that the government is making steady progress towards achieving the MTDP priorities,” the Minister said.

The department will also produce a mid-term monitoring report assessing the performance of the government against the MTDP over the past two-and-a-half years. 

This will assist the government in identifying bottlenecks and intervening speedily to drive the implementation of MTDP priorities. 

“We aim to make these reports accessible to all South Africans through deliberate efforts to share them widely with stakeholders, including members of Parliament,” Ramokgopa said.

These reports are supported by evidence drawn from frontline monitoring.

Over time, the department has institutionalised the practices and discipline of assessing policy and implementation outcomes through frontline monitoring. 

“Our view is that plans and policies find real meaning at the frontline of service delivery, where citizens interact daily with the state. The Frontline Monitoring and Support Programme is therefore a cornerstone of the department’s work to close the gap between policy intent and lived experience,” Deputy Minister Seiso Moha said in support of the Minister’s budget vote speech.

The department has also maintained the Presidential Hotline as a vital mechanism for direct citizen engagement and accountability.

During the reporting period, more than 2 300 complaints were received, affecting national and provincial departments, with a 72% resolution rate. –SAnews.gov.za

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) will officially launch its national youth outreach initiative, bringing services, opportunities and support closer to communities in Mpumalanga.

The initiative — Phanda Thursday — will be launched on Thursday, 28 May, at the Sasol Club in eMbalenhle, Secunda. It will be led by NYDA Board Executive Chairperson, Dr Sunshine Myende.

The initiative is a weekly national outreach programme aimed at bringing youth development services, economic opportunities and government support directly to communities across South Africa.

The programme seeks to address persistent challenges related to youth unemployment and fragmented service delivery by creating accessible, community-based support platforms for young people.

Through weekly activations at NYDA branches nationwide, young people will have access to a range of services, including career guidance and CV support, entrepreneurship and business development assistance, funding and skills development opportunities, as well as on-site government services and application support.

The programme brings together government departments, municipalities, State entities, Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), development finance institutions, private sector partners and community stakeholders on a single integrated platform.

The launch will also feature exhibitions by several government departments and entities, providing attendees with direct access to information, services and resources across a range of critical sectors affecting young people and communities.

Participating institutions include the Office of the Premier, the National Youth Development Agency, the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator, the Department of Employment and Labour, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, the Department of Health, the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency, Statistics South Africa and the South African Police Service.

The NYDA said the initiative is intended to improve access to opportunities and strengthen collaboration between stakeholders working to support youth development and economic inclusion. – SAnews.gov.za
 

In the 2025/26 financial year, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment transferred the management of eight plantations to local communities to foster land ownership and create economic opportunities in the forestry sector.

According to Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts, who delivered her department’s Budget Vote in Parliament, the transformation of the forestry sector remains one of the department’s key strategic priorities.

“We are confident that these community-owned plantations will create jobs, stimulate small businesses and strengthen rural livelihoods, especially for women and youth, as we remain resolute to ensure an inclusive program and broaden participation,” Swarts said on Tuesday.

By transferring the management of these plantations, the department aims to foster a sense of ownership among community members while providing opportunities to participate meaningfully in the forestry value chain.

The eight Community Forestry Agreements were concluded in the Eastern Cape and cover Hamburg, Manina Block H&J, Manina Block K, Mthintloni, Ngcobo, Nkobongo, Xhorana and Zikhova.

“In the 2026/27 financial year, a further 8 plantations will be transferred to communities. The department is also mobilising private sector partners to provide financial support for this important programme.”

“Through our outreach programmes, we will continue to raise awareness of these opportunities among women and promote forestry careers in our schools,” she added.

Protecting the environment

The Deputy Minister called on South Africans to work with the government to protect and conserve the environment for the benefit of current and future generations.

Swarts said the department is addressing pollution caused by the mismanagement of waste by strengthening the Local Government Support Programme in partnership with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA).

“We continue to implement municipal greening campaigns as one of the interventions aimed at reducing pollution, removing waste from public spaces, promoting environmental awareness and supporting separation, and recycling initiatives,” the Deputy Minister said.

The department noted improvements in the collection of electrical and electronic waste, commonly referred to as e-waste, through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees.

“The increasing use of electrical and electronic equipment has resulted in large volumes of discarded devices, many of which contain hazardous substances that pose serious risks to human health and the environment if not managed well.”

“There is growing accountability among producers of prioritised products, with Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) playing a central role in implementing EPR systems across South Africa.”

“These organisations are responsible for developing and managing systems to collect, recycle and responsibly manage waste generated by products placed on the market,” she explained.

Over the past two financial years, the department launched and implemented the e-waste programme in partnership with PROs, which purchased e-waste items from communities.

Through this initiative, the Producer Responsibility Organisations collected more than 86 000 kilograms (86 tons) of e-waste, with more than R267 700 paid to communities as incentives. –SAnews.gov.za

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Narend Singh says government is not only creating job opportunities for young people, but also building the next generation of environmental professionals.

“During the 2025/26 financial year, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment strengthened its youth employment pipeline through graduate-focused interventions implemented across Environmental Programmes,” the Deputy Minister said on Tuesday, in Parliament, during the Budget Vote.

During that year, these interventions supported 6 083 young people and graduates by providing structured exposure to environmental work, service delivery support, and practical workplace experience.

“A key part of this work is the Municipal Environmental Graduates Programme, which commenced in August 2025. The programme was introduced to respond to two linked challenges: youth unemployment and limited environmental capacity within local government,” Singh said.

Through this programme, 430 environmental graduates were initially placed in municipalities for a 24-month period.

Following a positive response and the clear need for further support, an additional 110 graduates joined the programme in February 2026, bringing the total number of Municipal Environmental Graduates to 540 across 205 local municipalities.

These graduates assist municipalities with environmental planning, compliance, waste management, climate resilience, biodiversity initiatives, community awareness, and the integration of environmental priorities into Integrated Development Plans.

“Importantly, this intervention carries directly into the 2026/27 financial year and will continue until July 2027. For the current financial year, the department is projecting a further 3 897 youth and graduate opportunities across Environmental Programmes with a total investment budget of R83 824 535.36 million, ensuring that this pipeline of skills, experience and employability is sustained,” he said.

He added that this demonstrates how the department is moving beyond temporary relief.

“We are creating work experience, strengthening municipalities and building a pool of young environmental practitioners who can contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s green economy,” the Deputy Minister said.

Key programmes include Working for Water, which clears invasive alien plants that threaten biodiversity and reduce water availability.

In 2026/27, the department will clear 159.878 hectares while also enhancing community participation, awareness, collaboration, and regulation.

Furthermore, Working on Waste, implemented in partnership with the local government, will create more than 10 000 work opportunities.

The programme tackles littering and illegal dumping, helps transform towns and cities into cleaner spaces, and supports local economic development.

Working for the Coast enables vulnerable coastal communities to protect the coastline through litter picking and waste removal, preventing plastic from harming marine life and safeguarding both environmental and human health.

Meanwhile, the department is reviewing the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedures to better align them with the National Environmental Management Act, while maintaining a commitment to timely support for strategic infrastructure, energy security, and economic development projects. –SAnews.gov.za

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Willie Aucamp has tabled his department’s 2026/27 Budget Vote, which amounts to R9.127 billion.

“Every rand in this budget has been allocated to protect ecosystems, strengthen climate adaptation, improve environmental regulation, and support inclusive economic growth and job creation,” the Minister told Parliament on Tuesday.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has allocated R960 million to the Expanded Public Works Programme, to create more than 71 000 work opportunities and over 45 000 full-time equivalent jobs.

“These opportunities provide meaningful work that helps people support their families and communities,” Aucamp said, adding that job creation remains a key priority.

The Fisheries Management programme has been allocated R514 million to support the development and sustainable use of marine and coastal resources, maximise the economic potential of the fisheries sector, and protect the integrity and quality of the country’s marine and coastal ecosystems.

The Minister reiterated government’s commitment to science-based decision-making and continued support for the fishing sector.

“That is why, in the appeals lodged by small-scale fishing cooperatives in the Traditional Linefish and West Coast Rock Lobster sectors, I was able to expedite the process without compromising scientific integrity, ensuring a fair, lawful and balanced outcome. I ultimately upheld those appeals.

“The department will remain committed to science-based decision-making, and we will continue to support the small-scale fishing industry,” he said.

In line with this commitment, the department has set aside R130 million for pelagic and demersal surveys in 2026 to gather independent scientific data for sustainable fisheries management and the setting of annual catch limits.

The department will also operationalise 12 proclaimed fishing harbours, strengthen enforcement within the Exclusive Economic Zone, and improve support for small-scale fishing cooperatives and communities.

It will also publish the 2026 aquaculture sector performance report to assess the industry’s growth and challenges.

The biodiversity and conservation programme will receive R261 million.

“We will continue strengthening compliance and enforcement. The National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking remains a key tool, supported by stronger investigations, intelligence sharing and targeted enforcement operations.

“We will intensify efforts in priority areas, including strengthening operations in the Kruger National Park and working with regional partners such as Mozambique to address cross-border environmental crime,” the Minister said.

Following the January floods that affected the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the Kruger National Park, South African National Parks (SANParks) has had to reprioritise R51 million from surplus funds previously earmarked for important digital upgrades to immediate infrastructure rehabilitation.

“One of our realities is that we are dealing with climate change in real time through frequent droughts, floods and heatwaves. The January floods that affected two of our entities, including the Kruger National Park, highlighted the urgent need for better preparedness.”

“In this budget, we have allocated R53.5 million to air quality. We are also continuing to address air quality challenges through the imminent nationwide deployment of more than 300 low-cost air quality monitors to strengthen national air quality management,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za

A high-impact multidisciplinary law enforcement operation on Monday led to the arrest of 23 undocumented foreign nationals and the closure of five non-compliant retail outlets operating along Dr Pixley KaSeme and Anton Lembede streets in Durban.

The operation formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen compliance with immigration legislation, enhance public safety, and restore order in key business and trading areas within the city centre.

Durban Metro Police Service spokesperson Colonel Boysie Zungu said authorities were responding to growing concerns over illegal retail outlets, undocumented foreign nationals, unsanitary conditions, prostitution and the sale of illegal narcotics in and around the CBD.

“A total of 32 individuals were detained for immigration status verification by officials from the Department of Home Affairs. Following verification processes, 23 undocumented foreign nationals between the ages of 21 and 54 were confirmed to be unlawfully in the Republic and subsequently arrested in terms of the Immigration Act,” Zungu said.

Zungu said those arrested included nationals from Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania and China.

Five businesses were shut down for failing to comply with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements.

The city commended the coordinated efforts of all agencies involved in the operation, including the South African Police Service, the Department of Home Affairs, Department of Employment and Labour, Department of Health, Metro Police and other law enforcement partners.

“The city remains committed to sustained multi-disciplinary operations aimed at ensuring compliance with the law, maintaining public order, and creating a safer environment for residents, businesses, and visitors in the Durban CBD,” the eThekwini Municipality said. – SAnews.gov.za