Public Participation in Tyutu Housing Project, South Africa: Is It a Myth or Reality?

EXPLORING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN SOUTH AFRICA PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN HOUSING POLICY IN TYUTYU HOUSING PROJECT IN THE EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA: IS IT A MYTH OR REALITY?
Henry Jacob Festus Ssekibuule University of Fort Hare.
Abstract
This article discusses that public participation is an essential part of human growth in housing delivery in Tyutyu and is the development of self-confidence, pride, initiative, responsibility, cooperation. “Without such a development within the people themselves, all efforts to alleviate their poverty will be immensely more difficult, if not impossible” (Burkey, 1993:56). Housing provision plays a vital role in meeting basic needs; dwellings provide the security required for basic functioning and are thus essential for both human development and the alleviation of poverty.
Keywords: Public participation, housing, South Africa, Tyutyu, policy.

1. Introduction
South Africa has one of the progressive constitutions in the world (Buccus et.al, 2007). It includes the municipal legislative framework that provides for community participation in decision-making at municipal level. However, findings suggest in contrary practice, that citizens have had little experience of benefitting the fruits of this constitutionthis, which is partly due to particularly relevant in contexts of severe poverty but mainly due to and failure by the state to provide basic services. This case study demonstrates the challenges faced by the Centre for Public Participation (CPP), a national NGO, when working to influence central government policy on citizen participation. It is also explores the role and influence of international donors in promoting this agenda.
Historically, South Africa’s housing process is characterised by the previously disadvantage being deprived of housing and property rights which led community protests to rental and service boycotts by communities thus challenging the legitimacy of the government of the time. (Khan & Ambert,

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