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REMARKS BY THEMBI SIMELANE MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS, MP ON THE OCCASION OF THE INAUGURAL WESTERN CAPE MINISTERIAL INFRASTRUCTURE ROUNDTABLE 30 JULY 2026 CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE, CAPE

Human SettlementsRef: S THE 2024 WHITE PAPER

Official source

Source domain: dhs.gov.za

Collected on 30 July 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

Our copy (archived 30 July 2026)Official source

What this means

This document is a speech/remarks by Thembi Simelane, Minister of Human Settlements, MP, delivered at the inaugural Western Cape Ministerial Infrastructure Roundtable on 30 July 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. The Minister argues that South Africa’s infrastructure and human settlements challenges require an integrated, long-term approach linking housing with bulk infrastructure, land release, planning approvals, financing, and disciplined execution. She references the 2024 White Paper for Human Settlements, discusses the need for project readiness and blended finance, highlights spatial transformation and a Constitutional Court judgment in the Tafelberg matter, and calls for a practical work programme and climate-resilient infrastructure planning.

Facts

Places

Mpumalanga, Western Cape, City of Cape Town

Reference

S THE 2024 WHITE PAPER

Key Takeaways

Speaker: Thembi Simelane, Minister of Human Settlements, MP
Event: Inaugural Western Cape Ministerial Infrastructure Roundtable
Date: 30 July 2026
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town
Cabinet approved the 2024 White Paper for Human Settlements in December 2024
National housing backlog estimate: ~2.1 million to 2.4 million units
National Housing Needs Register: ~3.4 million households registered
Western Cape Infrastructure Framework/Strategy/Implementation Plan 2050 referenced
Constitutional Court judgment in the Tafelberg matter set aside disposal of well-located public property
Calls for integrated pipeline with project readiness, financing gaps, and responsible institutional assignment
Mentions Somerlife Social Housing Project in Somerset West launched in May 2026; expected to deliver just over 1,000 units
Thembi Simelane
Ministry of Human Settlements
Republic of South Africa
Tertuis Simmers
Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure
Members of the Executive Council
Development finance institutions
Private sector
Academia
Professional bodies
Cabinet
Constitutional Court
Tafelberg matter
HDA
NHFC
SHRA
National Housing Needs Register
Somerlife Social Housing Project
Somerset West

Dates

Closing Date

30 July 2026