Abstract:
This study is centrally concerned with class identification problems created by the Breaking New Ground (BNG) model, and the possible conflict that may arise as a result of bringing different classes together to coexist. In addition, the researcher looked at how this kind of settlement model has become a demonstration of class inequality in society, using Lethuli Park, in Polokwane, Limpopo Province, as a case study.
The Breaking New Ground model under its current characteristics classifies people, which work to cause social divisions amongst the three distinct groups (partially subsidised, fully subsidised and Mortgage Units) it is made of. While the Breaking New Ground model was meant to solve problems caused by the apartheid system, it has invariably created a far worse problems because it has developed an environment of distinct social classes within the very communities it was meant to help.
Moreover, the integrated housing development model used by the Department of Human Settlements does not only group people into geographical spaces of different privileges, but also labels those in the low housing category as ‘the poor’, and therefore, implying that they are intrinsically different from other groups in different places.
Therefore, this dissertation asserts that; in order to adequately address the inadequate housing challenges in South Africa, the idea of housing must be understood not for what it is (a physical product), but for what it does (a process). And also, there must be changes in housing policies to bring about an appropriate multidimensional strategy targeted interventions that are premised on a resolute commitment of resources.
Furthermore, through the HDA (Housing Development Agency), an entity of the Department of Human Settlements, the government needs to engage the private sector, state-owned enterprises, provinces and municipalities to unlock strategic parcels of land suitable for human settlements’ development, which caters, especially for low-income groups, to be at subsidised rates. The country needs an efficient, formidable and incorruptible department that is able to perform this huge task of spatial integration.
Lethuli Park is a small settlement of about 1088 households, of which 500 are RDP houses, 300 Mortgage houses and 288 subsidised housing. With the use of a household list from the municipality, the study selected 45 households to participate in this study. This includes 15 households each from the three communities mentioned above. The study used a random sampling technique to select participating households that would be subjected to detailed interviews.
This was done by selecting every 5th house per section. The selected households were visited once during the study, where interviews and observations were conducted.
The study used non-structured interviews divided into four themes to collect data. The collected data was then divided into categories and subcategories for analysis purposes. Ethical issues considered when conducting research are also discussed.
