Durban:Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has called for a more integrated approach to government planning and service delivery, emphasizing the need for human settlements to align with the needs of communities rather than institutional divisions.

According to South African Government News Agency, Simelane presented her views at the 25th South African Association of Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM) Conference in Durban. The event brought together leaders from government, academia, and the private sector under the theme: 'Growth and Sustainability through improved governance: Reimagining institutions, leadership and development in a changing world.'

During a panel discussion titled 'The Future of South Africa: Reimagining Governance, Leadership and Inclusive Development,' Simelane highlighted the importance of developing human settlements that reflect the lived realities of South Africans. She stressed that effective governance should be measured through tangible outcomes such as functioning basic services rather than through administrative metrics like meetings or budgets.

The Minister advocated for a whole-of-government approach, where departments and governmental spheres align their strategies and resources around shared spatial priorities. She noted that infrastructure, housing, transport, and social services should be coordinated to reflect the interconnected nature of daily life for residents.

Simelane also addressed the need to overcome apartheid's spatial planning legacy, which has left many low-income households isolated from opportunities and services. She proposed well-located land, mixed-use developments, and better housing-transport links as solutions for spatial transformation.

Furthermore, Simelane underscored the necessity of offering diverse housing options, including subsidised housing, serviced sites, and affordable rentals, to cater to varying needs. She emphasized the critical roles of public entities in this endeavour, advocating for a unified delivery system with shared objectives.

The Minister also highlighted the importance of ethical leadership and professional public administration, particularly in light of limited public finances. She warned against project delays and inflated costs, stressing that accountability is essential to maintaining the public purpose of government.

Innovation in building technologies was mentioned as a means to expedite housing delivery, though Simelane cautioned that new methods must meet safety and durability standards. She emphasized incorporating climate resilience into planning due to environmental risks like flooding and drought.

With 12.2% of households in informal dwellings, as per recent statistics, Simelane asserted that the challenge is to create sustainable, connected, and safe communities, not merely to construct more houses. She called for robust partnerships between government, communities, private sectors, and other stakeholders to achieve these goals.