Despite the housing crisis in South Africa, the country still has a wealth of undeveloped land.
The South African housing and property development sector is navigating a critical juncture, grappling with a stark shortage of registered Quantity Surveyors (QS).
As demand for affordable housing surges, industry experts warn that this essential profession plays a pivotal role in delivering infrastructure efficiently and cost-effectively.
However, the current lack of skilled professionals has led to severe ramifications, including project delays and budget overruns, particularly within the public sector.
Nolubabalo Tsolo, the Executive Director of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS), provided insight into the precarious state of housing in the nation.
“The lack of skilled professionals in this field has resulted in significant project inefficiencies,” she stated.
The ASAQS highlighted the urgent need for quantity surveyors in addressing the housing crisis, particularly in areas like Johannesburg, where the issue is compounded by hijacked buildings.
These structures have been overrun by illegal occupants and criminal elements, contributing to increased crime and social instability.
Despite the glaring crisis, South Africa boasts a wealth of undeveloped land, which remains untapped mainly due to bureaucratic red tape, land ownership complications, infrastructure shortfalls, and funding limitations.
The pandemic has further transformed demand, with businesses seeking smaller, more versatile office spaces, while older buildings linger unoccupied.
Recently, Department of Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson announced encouraging plans aimed at repurposing valuable properties for redevelopment.
“We need to tackle existing challenges in the construction sector and ensure we have the right skilled professionals on board,” Tsolo emphasised, stating that the successful implementation of these initiatives could create substantial job opportunities and enhance the lives of many South Africans.
Tsolo outlined a multi-faceted strategy to foster meaningful change in the housing and property sector.
She articulated the need for bolstering the quantity surveying profession through increased registration and training, innovative funding models for affordable housing development, streamlined approval processes, and revitalised efforts to reclaim hijacked buildings into secure living spaces.
“Unlocking available land for development by removing policy bottlenecks is paramount,” she added. Additionally, adapting to evolving work dynamics is vital, as there’s a pressing need to reimagine outdated office spaces to better suit modern business demands.
Supporting these sentiments, the Housing Development Agency (HDA) echoed its commitment to delivering affordable housing solutions strategically located across the country.
The HDA aims to bolster partnerships toward accelerated housing delivery, which will require robust project management and accountability, along with prudent funding strategies to mitigate risks like construction delays and community pushback.
In a recent interview with Independent Media Property, Professor Douw Boshoff from the University of Pretoria called for municipalities to enhance conditions for the property sector.
He suggested that local authorities must collaborate with the private sector to tackle South Africa’s dire electricity crisis while simultaneously improving the safety and mobility within municipalities, which he believes will invigorate property investments.
Furthermore, Boshoff stressed the importance of municipalities wisely evaluating their budgets, utilising funds more effectively for infrastructure development, and addressing illicit activities, such as illegal electricity connections, which strain resources.
He acknowledged the challenges created by bad debts and reduced financial grants from central government but emphasised that sustainable measures must be pursued rather than passing the burden onto responsible consumers.
As South Africa continues to tackle its pressing housing crisis, the interplay between professional expertise, innovative strategies, and committed municipal actions will be vital in steering the nation towards a more stable and prosperous future.
Independent Media Property