Citizens’ Perception of Government Low-Cost Housing Provision: Duduza Community within Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality

Abstract

In 1994, the government adopted a Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) to redress the past and ensure that citizens have access to secure and affordable housing. This study analyses citizens’ perceptions of government-provided low-cost housing (RDP houses) in South Africa, a key initiative under the RDP aimed at addressing historical injustices stemming from the apartheid era. Since its launch in 1994, the RDP has successfully built over three million houses, benefiting millions of economically disadvantaged citizens. However, challenges such as financing issues, poor house quality, and allocation criteria persist, especially in municipalities like Ekurhuleni, where an influx of people from various regions has exacerbated these problems. The study highlights housing as a constitutional mandate and a vital tool for reducing poverty and inequality. It employs a quantitative research methodology to analyse citizens’ perceptions of government low-cost housing provision. The Duduza community within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality serves as the sample frame, with fifty (N=50) community members selected through a probability sampling technique. Data are collected via semi-structured questionnaires and analysed thematically using descriptive data analysis methods. Microsoft Excel is used to process the findings. Despite the ambitious goals of the RDP housing programme, the findings reveal that its credibility is undermined by governance issues and a lack of public trust. The study emphasises the need for improved transparency, effective planning, and greater citizen engagement to enhance the quality and distribution of RDP houses. It concludes by exploring strategies to accelerate house allocation and reduce construction costs, ultimately aiming to foster a sense of dignity and belonging within communities like Duduza. The findings underscore the necessity of a renewed commitment to equitable housing delivery, which is fundamental to building a democratic and non-racial South Africa.