There are two new initiatives that are aimed at improving employment opportunities for graduates, and also strengthening the capacity of municipalities to deliver housing projects.
The announcements were made during the opening of the International Pan-African City Symposium and Exposition, as well as the launch of the Institute of Human Settlements Practitioners South Africa at Nelson Mandela University on Monday.
New Focus On Human Settlements Skills And Professionalisation
The symposium was held under the theme, "Smart Futures Villages to Smart Economies – Exploring Models that Create Resilient, Equitable, Regenerative and Thriving Communities."
Simelane said South Africa's human settlements sector requires stronger institutional capacity, skilled professionals and innovative solutions to address challenges such as urbanisation, climate change and housing backlogs.
According to Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane the newly established Institute of Human Settlements Practitioners South Africa will help advance professional standards, ethical practices, research and skills development within the sector.
"The launch of this institute is not an accidental event. It is the result of years of ideas, advocacy, academic work, sector mobilisation and commitment to the recognition of Human Settlements as a serious field of knowledge, practice and public service," the Minister said.
National Project To Strengthen Municipal Capacity
As part of government's efforts to professionalise the human settlements sector, Simelane announced a National Special Project that will assess and strengthen the capacity of municipalities and provinces.
The project will be implemented in partnership with the Presidency and will focus on improving the ability of municipalities to plan, develop and manage human settlements programmes effectively.
Particular attention will be given to accredited municipalities and secondary cities responsible for delivering housing and infrastructure projects.
The initiative aims to identify institutional weaknesses and develop solutions that will improve service delivery and project implementation across the country.
Graduate Employment Strategy To Create Career Pathways
The Minister also unveiled plans for a National Strategy for the Engagement of Housing and Human Settlements Graduates.
The strategy seeks to address a longstanding challenge where graduates with specialised qualifications struggle to find opportunities within the sector despite having relevant skills and knowledge.
"Over the years, universities have produced graduates in housing and human settlements programmes. These graduates possess skills, knowledge and attributes that are directly relevant to the sector. Yet many of them do not find structured pathways into the Human Settlements system," Simelane said.
Opportunities For Human Settlements Graduates
The graduate employment strategy will focus on creating structured pathways into the workforce through:
- Experiential learning opportunities.
- Formal internship programmes.
- Youth entrepreneurship initiatives.
- Graduate placement within local government structures.
- Skills development linked to sector needs.
Graduates may also find opportunities in areas such as:
- Social facilitation.
- Data and infrastructure management.
- Local government support.
- Beneficiary management.
- Affordable housing development.
- Title deed acceleration projects.
- Sustainable and modern construction methods.
Call For Employers To Prioritise Human Settlements Qualifications
Simelane urged provincial governments, metropolitan municipalities, human settlements entities and non-governmental organisations to recognise and prioritise specialised human settlements qualifications when recruiting for sector-related positions.
“Contractors, developers, and service providers in human settlements technical projects need to do the same by creating opportunities for these graduates This does not mean that other relevant qualifications are excluded. It means that Human Settlements qualifications must no longer be invisible in the sector they were designed to serve,” the Minister said.
Student Debt Remains A Barrier To Employment
The Minister also called on universities and the Department of Higher Education and Training to explore solutions for graduates who are unable to access their academic certificates due to outstanding student debt.
She noted that allowing graduates to obtain their qualifications would improve their ability to enter the labour market and contribute to the sector.
Supporting The Human Settlements White Paper
The launch of the Institute of Human Settlements Practitioners South Africa forms part of government's efforts to implement the Human Settlements White Paper, which was approved by Cabinet in 2024.
The White Paper emphasises the need for stronger sector capacity, minimum competency standards and the professionalisation of human settlements practice.
Simelane confirmed that the Department of Human Settlements will formalise a cooperation agreement with the institute to support research, professional development, graduate support programmes and ongoing capacity building across the sector.
The new initiatives are expected to create more opportunities for graduates while helping municipalities improve the delivery of housing and human settlements projects throughout South Africa.
