Evaluating the impact of the Ingonyama trust board controlled land in the delivery of low-income housing.a case study of Turton in Umzumbe Municipality.

Abstract

This study evaluates the impact of the iNgonyama Trust Board (ITB) controlled land in the delivery of low-income housing, using uMzumbe Municipality- Turton area as a case study. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the ITB in the distribution of customary land administered by traditional leaders for the development of low-income housing in rural communities. Thus the study examined the history of South African rural communities under both the colonial and apartheid regime with traditional leaders as representatives of rural communities through management and rural development. The study also assessed the level of success and failure of the ITB and its traditional leaders in cooperation with the rural housing policy in delivering low-income housing in rural communities. It further evaluated the negative factors that delay the fast release of traditional land for housing development in rural areas, explored the South African laws, legislation and policies that govern ITB controlled land and local government involvement in land distribution and housing delivery. Moreover, the study assessed the degree of autonomy between municipal officials and traditional leaders regarding the implementation of low-income housing and land acquisition. Two case studies within the African continent were selected for this study to provide a broader understanding of the debates around the study both at international and local perspective, namely Ghana and South Africa. Qualitative research method was used to collect data from the identified informants using the purposive sampling method. Data collection incorporated both primary and secondary sources, using closed and open-ended questionnaires to acquire the data from the informants. A total of 50 households who benefited from the rural housing subsidy were targeted, as well as municipal officials, the ITB and the Turton traditional leader. The data collected from the informants was analysed using thematic method of data analysis. The study findings identified key challenges encountered during the delivery of Turton low-income housing project, these challenges included: the reluctance of the Turton traditional leader in releasing land for low-income housing delivery due to low capital gains, as well as issues around social and traditional norms which hinder at local level. These issues prevail between the traditional leader and community members in terms of traditional cases and levies paid to the traditional leader for the comfort of the royal family. Communication channels in Turton between the ward councillor and the headmen seem to be unclear when it comes to transparency and management, therefore compromising the achievement of good governance. Traditional structures see themselves as appropriate leaders for rural development with adequate knowledge and understanding of rural areas compared to municipal officials and politicians. However it appears that uMzumbe Municipality officials’ are willing to work with traditional leaders as custodians and political figures of rural development who have the power to allocate land to people within a democratic society. Their willingness brings rise to the realisation of the traditionalist theory which focuses on traditional planning and customs in merger with the modernist theory. The modernist theory refers to ways and forms of modern society, transforming cultural identities through democracy and technical scientific advantages. These two conflicting theories (modernist and traditionalist) are reviewed under this study. Recommendations for the study were based from the identified findings and aligned with the research objectives to help alleviate the key issues identified and improve land accessibility for effective low-income housing delivery. The study has recommended for the introduction of a single legislation for traditional structures on land management. The legislation is to be written in both English and indigenous languages with clearly defined roles and functions of traditional structures as this will help reduce confusion on the roles and functions of each individual. Free land allocation for poor households requiring State housing is also recommended in order to create equal opportunities for qualifying households for a rural housing subsidy. People centred housing development and housing consumer education for low-income households is also recommended in order to respond to the rife of poverty identified under empirical studies in rural areas, more especially in Turton. However the study concluded that the impact of the ITB in the delivery of low-income housing has been positive with regards to the release of Land Development Agreements after consultation with affected traditional leaders for land accessibility.