Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu [email protected].
LAND developers in Matabeleland South have been urged to invest in high-rise housing and provide fully serviced residential stands as Government steps up efforts to address the province’s housing backlog.
Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe said increased investment in multi-storey buildings would help maximise available land and accommodate more home seekers.
Speaking at a provincial World Habitat Day celebration in Gwanda recently, Minister Nguluvhe said the province had considerable land available for housing development, but called for more efficient land use and stronger collaboration between Government, local authorities and private developers.
Matabeleland South has 34 576 people on its housing waiting list, underlining the need to accelerate the delivery of affordable and properly serviced accommodation.
“We value the input of land developers as they are a valuable stakeholder in attaining Government’s vision of ensuring adequate housing for all. Please invest in high-rise buildings so that we can capitalise on the space that we have to accommodate as many people as possible,” said Minister Nguluvhe.
He also warned developers against double allocation of residential stands and other practices that leave home seekers paying for land that is not ready for settlement.
“Please don’t double allocate stands to people or cheat people. Ensure that people are settled on land that has been fully developed and serviced so that you don’t short-change people. Even though you want to make money, please do it in a manner with integrity,” said Minister Nguluvhe.
He urged local authorities to monitor developers operating within their jurisdictions and ensure they fulfil their contractual obligations, particularly regarding the provision of roads and other essential infrastructure.
Home seekers were also encouraged to register with local authorities to improve housing demand assessments and enable better planning and allocation of resources.
Under the Zimbabwe Human Settlement Policy, at least 40 percent of land earmarked for human settlement development is targeted for vertical and high-density housing, including multi-storey walk-up apartments.
Government has also started implementing this approach through the first phase of the Beitbridge Redevelopment Project, which saw the completion of multi-storey walk-up flats for civil servants and other personnel working in the border town.
The project is intended to provide a model for expanding vertical housing development across the province.
Minister Nguluvhe said housing delivery remained a priority under the National Development Strategy 2, which emphasises sustainable infrastructure development, the expansion of serviced land, modernisation of urban and rural settlements and the adoption of climate-smart, disaster-resilient building technologies.
“Housing is far more than physical structures, it is the bedrock of human dignity, social security, family stability and sustainable economic development. Safe and dignified shelter empowers households and transforms communities,” he said.
This year’s World Habitat Day was held under the theme, “Adequate Housing for All”.
Observed annually on the first Monday of October, the United Nations-designated day provides an opportunity to assess the state of human settlements and renew commitments to ensuring access to adequate shelter.
The theme also aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 11, which calls for cities and human settlements to be inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Minister Nguluvhe said achieving the goal required concerted efforts to reduce housing shortages, improve social infrastructure and ensure that settlement expansion was guided by equity and environmental sustainability.
