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24 July 2008

Programme director
Chairperson of the Rental Housing Tribunal, Mr Mohlatole
Members of the Tribunal
Head of Department, Leshabe Rampedi
Head of MEC's Office, Mr Cyril Monyela
Officials from our Department
Friends from the media
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen

Good Morning

It is with great pleasure and humility to be invited to this august gathering. Your warm reception has indeed confirmed to me that I am welcomed and at home.

We have just recently celebrated the 90th birthday of an icon, a people's hero, a mirror of hope for all South African people and the world over, Nelson Mandela.

This year we will be celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Bantu Women's League led by Charlotte Manye Maxeke.

I am mentioning these events necessarily because these people have contributed immensely towards the liberation of our people and championing the course of women and the oppressed. They have left a legacy that we need to embrace in pursuit of a better life for all.

Programme director

The central task of the current period is the eradication of poverty, unemployment and inequality. We are tasked as government to embark on an integrated programme of rural development, land reform and agrarian reform, including the provision of social and economic infrastructure and the extension of quality government services, particularly health and education, to rural areas.

In so doing, we will be pursuing a better life for all and building a caring and responsible government and society in general. It is upon us to lay a foundation of prosperity so as future generations must look upon us with pride and dignity.

Programme director

We have converged here today to inaugurate members of Limpopo Rental Housing Tribunal. The key strategic objective of the tribunal is to harmonise relationships between landlords and tenants in the rental housing sector and further seeks to resolve disputes that arise due to unfair practices and inform the landlords and tenants about their rights and obligations in terms of the law.

These measures will contribute towards promotion of stability in the rental housing sector and create mechanisms to deal with disputes that emanates from rental housing. It will also protect landlords and tenants against unfair practices and provide consumer education by educating those in the rental housing sector about their rights and duties.

The passing of the Act has heralded a new era in the relationship between the landlords, interests groups and the tenants. It provides a room for mediation, conduct hearings and investigation of disputes.

One of the fundamental highlight of the Act is that its decisions are equated with those of a court of law and any breach will constitute an offence that is punishable in law.

Key to our success in ensuring the implementation of our policy on breaking new ground thus creation of integrated sustainable human settlements. The Rental Housing Tribunal must help in intervening in the interest of those who are less fortunate to access houses or residential properties that are nearer to the areas of economic activities.

As a developmental state, we must intervene in the interest of our people, whereby major infrastructural developments are implemented, otherwise, one way or the other, our people will not be able to benefit. For instance, when highway and freeways are built, the democratic state must intervene in the construction to save lives.

Programme director

I would like to appeal to both members of the public, private sector and government to work closely to ensure that we educate consumers and the public at large. The success of this tribunal will contribute towards prosperity and stability in the housing market especially for the previously disadvantaged groups.

Congratulations to the Limpopo Rental Housing Tribunal and we wish you well in your work.

I thank you.

Issued by: Department of Local Government and Housing, Limpopo Provincial Government
24 July 2008