An investigation of the challenges of the Reconstruction Development Programme in the provision of low-cost houses: A case of Makhado Local Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

The study focuses on the challenges facing Makhado Local Municipality in the provision of RDP houses. Housing plays a major role in the lives and development of citizens. Access to adequate housing is a basic human right. Delivery of houses satisfies the basic needs of the people, and houses were provided with the intention to completely destroy the apartheid. The provision of housing has remained a big challenge among the poorest communities. The study used a convergent parallel mixed method approach, which consists of qualitative and quantitative approaches. The reason for choosing this method is that it can be combined in such a way that quantitative and qualitative mixed methods retain their original structures and procedures. To achieve the objective of the study, non - probability sampling and its sub-type, the purposive sampling method were used by the researcher to select the samples. Interviews and questionnaires were utilised to collect data. Data collected through the questionnaires was analysed through: International Business Machinery (IBM): Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) latest version and the information was presented using graphical tabular form, frequencies and percentages. The data collected through interviews was analysed through thematic analysis and presented in narrative form. The Major findings of the study are:  The Municipality does not have enough financial and human resources to provide RDP houses  There is no transparency and fairness in the provision of RDP houses,  The Municipality does not interact with the community to ensure the effective provision of RDP houses.  Community members are not aware of the matters related to the delivery of RDP houses. The following recommendations are therefore made based on the findings of the study:  The researcher recommends that there must be enough financial and human resources for the provision of RDP houses,  Training should be provided to municipal officials so that they can know their responsibilities in the provision of RDP houses,  The study recommends that there should be transparency and fairness in the provision of RDP houses,  The study recommends that the Municipality should fully interact with the community to ensure the effective provision of RDP houses