ABSTRACT
This chapter grounds stakeholders’ participation in the implementation of Cornubia Housing Project as a national pilot of the Breaking New Ground policy. Thus, opportunities and challenges regarding the holistic planning and implementation of this project are interrogated. The Cornubia development is perceived as an integrated human settlement and a catalytic intervention undertaken jointly by eThekwini Municipality and Tongaat Hulett Developments. The author argues that stakeholders’ participation is not only important in the rolling out of the Cornubia Housing Project, but is also fundamental in the maintenance and sustainability of such delivery. Thus, the approach to housing, infrastructure and services should involve and empower communities and people as the primary stakeholders. Housing delivery systems are to be dependent on community participation, hence various stakeholders should play their part in the delivery of quality and affordable housing. While it is the responsibility of the national government to ensure housing is provided and financed, local government plays a facilitating role as the primary agency, while the private sector either finances or guides the construction and supply of building materials. In addition to all these stakeholders, the chapter argues that the beneficiary communities should not only get involved in all levels of decision-making from planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of the housing project, but should also benefit through employment, training, etc. The chapter is based on the secondary literature as well as primary data collected from officials of eThekwini Department of Human Settlement, Project Managers at Tongaat Hulett Developments and primary beneficiaries at Cornubia.
