Clarify, simplify and streamline regulations and procedures for the release of public land
The current regulatory environment for public land release is characterised by opacity, excessive red tape and complex legal requirements that have prompted many developers to disengage from public land projects. The process typically involves nine complex steps from identification through to development, with significant coordination required across multiple government departments. However, momentum is building with…
read more >>Identify and release nationally-owned land and properties to housing developers for affordable housing
South Africa faces a significant housing backlog estimated at 2.4 million units, with rapid urbanisation increasing demand for affordable housing in well-located urban areas. The public sector owns substantial amounts of vacant and underused land, including properties in desirable locations that could support urban inclusion. However, the release of this land has been extremely slow…
read more >>Clear existing backlog of title deeds for subsidised housing
South Africa faces a significant title deeds crisis affecting subsidised housing beneficiaries, with an estimated backlog exceeding 1 million properties valued at over R300bn. High transfer costs (over R11,000 for a R220,000 property) make property transfers prohibitively expensive for low-income households. The Title Deed Friday campaign, launched in October 2023, has distributed 60,246 title deeds…
read more >>Resolve outstanding planning approvals for housing projects
Planning approval delays are a major barrier to housing delivery and economic growth. With over 4,075 unplanned settlements awaiting approval, systemic issues including fragmented governance, poor coordination and a centralised planning system create significant backlogs. The township establishment process is a key bottleneck, with delays often driven by weak institutional capacity and political bureaucracy.
read more >>Small estates tax threshold
The current R250,000 threshold, unchanged since 2015, allows cost-free administration under Section 18(3) of the Administration of Estates Act. Estates above this require lawyers at a 3.5% fee. Small estates make up about 75% of all reported estates. This low threshold often excludes subsidised housing, despite their modest value. In Khayelitsha, 16% of registered homes…
read more >>Return passenger rail corridors and stations to service
Between 2009 and 2024, the number of passenger journeys per year declined by 89% (from 649,787 to 73,557) due to maintenance backlogs, corruption and vandalism. During Covid, extensive vandalism, cable theft and infrastructure forced Prasa to suspend operations on multiple routes. In 2024, Prasa had successfully restored 31 out of 40 priority rail corridors to…
read more >>Curtailment protocol
The curtailment framework was approved by Nersa in April 2025. The process began on 28 January 2024 when Eskom released an addendum on the GCCA. The GCCA 2025 Addendum provides the 2025 connection capacity with curtailment for energy generators and serves as an addendum to the GCCA 2025 published in October 2023, for the purpose…
read more >>Interim Grid Capacity Allocation Rules (IGCAR)
To mitigate a similar failure of BW6, Eskom released its Interim Grid Capacity Allocation Rules (IGCAR) in 2023. These were formulated in response to surging demand for grid access in a context of acute grid scarcity. Based on these rules, Eskom does not grant grid access based on “first come, first served” principles anymore but…
read more >>Removal of NTCSA upstream guarantee (‘Lazard Structure’)
Eskom has been working with financial adviser Lazard for a number of years in an attempt to bolster its balance sheet. Lazard was hired originally about six years ago to produce options for Eskom’s turnaround in a move that was seen as more than just debt restructuring. However, the advisory firm has been restricted to…
read more >>Eskom Distribution company unbundling
Distribution’s role is to service the customer through building, operating and maintaining distribution assets, while also acting in the national interest by actively partnering with the wider industry in resolving distribution industry issues and enhancing stakeholder relations.
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