An assessment of South African housing co-operatives : the case of Ilinge Labahlali housing co-operative, Nyanga, Cape Town

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Co-operatives as a form of business have a long history in South Africa. The successes ofagricultural co-operatives are well known. Housing co-operatives, however, are arelatively unfamiliar concept as a form of business to provide tenure, and for those who areinvolved in it, a frustrating and long process to obtain housing.This study examined the issue of housing co-operatives as part of addressing the housingcrisis in South Africa taking into consideration that this specific model (housingdevelopment co-operatives) does not fall under the Social Housing sector anymore. Itinvolves a comprehensive literature study of the history of co-operatives internationally andin South Africa as well as analysing different models implemented internationally and inSouth Africa; a review of legislation; policies affecting housing co-operatives; analysis ofdata and information and surveys of housing co-operatives.The specific aims of the research were:• To determine the different models of successful housing development cooperativesinternationally;• To determine the viability and sustainability of housing development co-operativesin Third World Countries;• To determine the current status of the registered housing co-operatives in SouthAfrica;• To determine the different models implemented in South Africa;• To evaluate the housing development co-operative sector in South Africa;• To determine the viability and sustainability of a registered housing developmentco-operative in Cape Town, (Ilinge Labahlali Housing Co-operative, Nyanga, CapeTown, South Africa); and• To determine the challenges faced by the co-operative and how they foresee thesechallenges being overcome.The study followed a survey design, including both qualitative and quantitative aspects.The qualitative approach related to the views and opinions of co-operative members withregards to the socio-economic impact that the co-operative have had and the quantitativeapproach relates to statistical and measurable data obtained from the Department ofTrade and Industry in terms of a number of variables such as: type of co-operatives,categories indicated and Province representation.For the purpose of this study, only housing co-operatives were contacted and researchwas conducted on the state of housing co-operatives and if each housing co-operativemeet the selection criteria of the Housing Development Co-operative Model.In critically assessing housing co-operatives in South Africa, it was determined that theunacceptable level of support from all three tiers of Government, was the prime problemexperienced by housing co-operatives. Several reasons can explain this, the mostprominent as follow:1. The Department of Trade and Industry's lack of proper record keeping andadministration;2. Housing development co-operatives do not benefit from the Social Housing sectorin South Africa;3. Department of Housing's lack of knowledge with regards to the housing cooperativesector;4. No synergy between different Government departments with regards to housing cooperatives;5. Municipalities do not have the know-how regarding co-operatives and/or display anunwillingness to assist housing co-operatives;6. Housing co-operatives established by outside agencies/Government departmentsreceive no follow-up and support;7. No proper Government housing co-operative department focusing on housingdelivery with the necessary knowledge and support mechanisms in place.It is clear that in the late nineties, the co-operative principle was promoted by theDepartment of Housing, Social Housing Foundation and community workers alike as thenew brain child of international agencies (Rooftops Canada, Norwegian Government, Swedish Government) to secure housing for communities building on the concept of'ubuntu. Afterwards the emphasis were shifted to Social Housing Institutions and rentaltenure and the few housing co-operatives registered, were left in the cold with no supportstructures available to them.With no support from international agencies, national-, provincial- and local Governmentthe future of these housing co-operatives are bleak. Co-operative members arecommunity driven, but without the necessary capacity-building and institutional support,community members become despondent and the co-operative principles of 'workingtogether to achieve more are seen as just another scheme which failed in the delivery ofhousing.This study found that the grass root housing co-operative with the support of all levels ofGovernment can be successful providing that community structures such as saving groupsand hostel committees are in place.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University