HOUSINGINSOUTHAFRICA

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CONTENTS

03

FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION

Who is Saint-Gobain? 5

Gyproc South Africa 5

Our products 5

HOUSING IN SOUTH AFRICA: THE CURRENT SITUATION 7

1. Population 11

2. Unemployment 13

3. Income and expenditure 15

4. Social grants 17

5. Housing 19

6. Living conditions 21

7. What is being done about it? 23

8. The constitution of RSA 25

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: OUR HOUSING PROJECTS 27

Diepsloot Housing Project

a. Diepsloot in context 31

b. Building homes, not just houses 35

Cato Manor Housing Project

c. Cato Manor in context 45

d. Creating comfort, improving ef�ciency 51

Witsand Housing Project

e. Witsand in context 59

d. Empowering communities 65

MORE PROJECTS BY SAINT-GOBAIN GYPROC 75

The Mellon housing initiatives 76

Bringing hope through collaboration 78

Celebrating South Africa’s women 80

Leading the way to happier communities 82

A glimpse into the future of sustainable living 84

The Saint-Gobain Academy 87

BIBLIOGRAPHY 96

CONTENTS

Edition 1.1 2013

‘The miracle that is South Africa.’

This was the expression used by

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu

to describe our country. Indeed ours

is a country of many cultures, extreme

diversities and a deep-rooted history.

It is also a country with an enormous

housing challenge. The challenge

lies in meeting the housing demand,

denting the current housing backlog

and improving turnaround times so that

those in need can be assisted faster and

more effectively.

The housing challenge also �nds expres-

sion in the way the housing build industry

conducts itself; quality in materials and

in building standards are critical to the

structural integrity of homes and the

quality of life for housing consumers.

The scale and depth of the problem

however, requires that all sectors of

society - government at all levels,

the private sector, civil society and

people themselves - must unite in a

collective effort to improve the quality

of household life, especially vulnerable

members of society.

As it has been said many a time, the moral

character of a nation is judged on how it

treats its most vulnerable members.

I commend Saint-Gobain on the production

of this publication; it highlights the

complexities of housing in South Africa

whilst at the same time introduces us to

the potential bene�ts of innovative home

building solutions.

Innovation in housing is at the core of

the sustainability discourse that we as the

NHBRC are passionate about. We support

government in the development of

functional, eco-friendly and vibrant

communities. We promote the participa-

tion of women and the youth in the

creation of sustainable homes.

I am con�dent that this book will make

you look at housing in a different light.

My invitation to you is to partner with us

in making a difference.

Mongezi MnyaniCEO at the

National Home Builders Registration Council

(NHBRC)

04 05

WHO IS SAINT-GOBAIN?

SAINT-GOBAIN

Saint-Gobain is the world leader in the

habitat and construction markets. We

design, manufacture and distribute

building materials, providing innovative

solutions to meet the growing demand

in emerging economies.

In 2012 Saint-Gobain was named one of

the Thomson Reuters Top 100 Global

Innovators. This accolade is awarded to

companies that have made a signi�cant

contribution to technological advancement

through innovative patents.

GYPROC SOUTH AFRICA

Saint-Gobain Gyproc is a leading interior

building solutions group. In South Africa,

we have established a distribution

network across the country, and we are

fast becoming the preferred choice for

interior and lightweight building systems.

We manufacture products for a broad

range of building developments in various

sectors, including: education, healthcare,

affordable housing, leisure, residential,

retail and commercial.

OUR PRODUCTS

Lightweight construction materials allow

for fast implementation and make

installation a simple task. Our products

are ideal for housing construction,

as well as for retro�tting ceilings and

insulation, which should no longer be

considered luxuries.

Gyproc RhinoBoard is used for ceilings,

drywalls and drylining. Our products

can be adapted to the requirements

of different sites in terms of thermal

insulation, acoustic speci�cations and

�re ratings.

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HOUSING INSOUTH AFRICA:THE CURRENTSITUATION

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1.) POPULATION

11

According to Census 2011, South Africa hasan estimated population of 51 770 560.

1mil

52mil

(3)

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12

2.) UNEMPLOYMENT

Nearly four out of every ten South Africans are unemployed.Out of a potential workforce of 33.2 million, only 13.2 millionare employed.

13

(3)

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The average annual household income is R103 204,

but 41.4% of South Africans live below the poverty line.

R 103 204

14

(3)

South Africa’s Gini coef�cient is 0.70. The Gini coef�cient measures inequalities

of income using values between 0 and 1.

3.) INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

INCOME EQUALITY

South Africa

INCOME INEQUALITY

0.20

0.10

0

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1

Gini Index

Lorenz Curve

Line of Equality

The Gini coef�cient (also known as the Gini index or Gini ratio) is a measure of

statistical dispersion. The Gini coef�cient measures the inequality among values

of a frequency distribution (for example levels of income). A Gini coef�cient of

zero expresses perfect equality, where all values are the same (for example,

where everyone has an exactly equal income). A Gini coef�cient of one

(100 on the percentile scale) expresses maximum inequality among values

(for example where only one person has all the income).

15

(3)

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4.) SOCIAL GRANTS

millionAbout 15.6 million South Africans receive government grants

or pension support.

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(3)

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1918

5.) HOUSING

The average South African household has 3.6 people in it.

Of all households, 13.6% live in informal dwellings.

There are 13.8 million households throughout the country.

1.86 Million are Informal Households.

Urban Informal Households account for more than 1.2 million.

(3)

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a.)

b.)

c.)

d.)

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6.) LIVING CONDITIONS

84.7%have electricity in their homes

73.4%have piped water

62%have access to refuse removal

60.1%have �ushable toilets

Not all South Africans have access to basic services.

a.)

b.)

c.)

d.)

21

(3)

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• A 17.7% increase in homes with access to electricity;

• An 11.9% increase in homes with piped water; and

• A 13.6% increase in homes with flushable toilets.

7.) WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT?

1994 2001 2012

3mil.

4.8mil.

Since democratisation in 1994, the South African government has tried to

address the country’s drastic housing problems. The Reconstruction and

Development Programme (RDP) has seen the construction of over

3 million government-subsidised houses. In comparison with statistics

from Census 2001, there have also been signi�cant improvements in

housing conditions nationwide, including:

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8.) THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

HOUSING26.(1)Everyone has theright to have accessto adequate housing

Respecting and protecting the dignity

of all South Africans by creating homes

in a safe, nurturing environment.

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MAKING ADIFFERENCE:OUR HOUSINGPROJECTS

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7300

7100

TYPICAL PLAN OF A

LOW-COST HOUSE

FLOOR AREA: 51.8 sqm

DETAILS

2 Bedrooms

Kitchen

Lounge

Bathroom

External Walls = 150mm

Internal Walls = 100mm

Wall Height 2 700mm

Roof Pitch 18° GableFRONT ELEVATION

FLOOR PLAN

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE: OUR HOUSING PROJECTS

When faced with present-day challenges

that were shaped by South Africa’s unique

past, a socially responsible company can

make any number of choices that can make

a difference.

However, given our 84 years of experience

in the construction industry, it was clear

that Saint-Gobain should make a meaningful

contribution to one of the country’s

longest-standing humanitarian issues – the

lack of adequate housing.

We decided that our efforts should target

three areas of housing development: (1)

Constructing, refurbishing or renovating

government-subsidised houses; (2)

Improving energy ef�ciency and

addressing other green concerns related

to government-subsidised housing; and

(3) Integrating the youth in housing

construction projects.

Habitat for Humanity

One of the �rst projects implemented

was The Diepsloot Project - a partnership

between Saint-Gobain South Africa,

Habitat for Humanity South Africa and the

France-based Saint-Gobain Initiatives

Foundation, with an investment of

R4.7 million.

We chose informal settlements that lay

within 20 kilometres of our plants or head

of�ces, and got to work establishing

connections with numerous government

subsidiaries and non-governmental

organisations, without which these

projects would not have been possible.

The 40 homes in Diepsloot were the start,

with additional homes due for build in

KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.

New housing initiatives

The success of this project inspired

Saint-Gobain Gyproc South Africa to

expand their housing project involvement

into new areas with new partners,

including Cato Manor (for the COP 17

conference). The earlier Witsand project

in Atlantis (with Peer Africa), started in

2004 with smaller projects continuing

throughout South Africa.

Working in settlements such as Diepsloot,

Cato Manor and Witsand was a rewarding

experience for all our staff and Saint-

Gobain Academy members. It provided

insight into the lives of people who have

historically been overlooked or ignored,

and who lack basic amenities that many

of us take for granted every day.

In the broader context, projects such as

these can never do enough. Nevertheless,

we are proud to say that Gyproc will

continue to make a difference wherever

we can.

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DIEPSLOOTIN CONTEXT

Province: Gauteng

Municipality: City of Johannesburg

Region: A

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DIEPSLOOTIN CONTEXT

I.) DIEPSLOOT IN CONTEXT

Located in northern Johannesburg, Diepsloot

was formed soon after South Africa’s �rst

democratic elections in 1994. It began as

a temporary informal settlement. Nearly

20 years later, a vibrant community of more

than 160 000 people calls Diepsloot home.

Overpopulated, frantic, and frequently

lacking essential services, Diepsloot lies in

sharp contrast to its wealthy neighbouring

suburbs. There is widespread unemployment,

and many foreigners live in the area.

Diepsloot has been declared a formal

township, and as a result it is characterised

by a mixture of formal and informal housing.

Thousands of houses were built as part

of the Reconstruction and Development

Programme (RDP), and there are also

bank-�nanced houses. However, many

residents still live in shacks constructed from

pieces of metal and other scrap material.

(4)

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DIEPSLOOTHOUSINGPROJECT:BUILDINGHOMES NOTJUST HOUSES

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Gyproc partnered with Habitat for

Humanity, the People’s Housing Process

Directorate, the City of Johannesburg,

Gauteng Local Government and Housing,

and the Diepsloot community to build

40 homes in the area. Three hundred

contributors worked an average of eight

hours to ensure the completion of

the project.

Our approach was to identify those

households that quali�ed for a housing

subsidy by being registered with the

National Department of Human

Settlements, and those currently

living on a serviced site.

Gyproc is always at the forefront of

innovation, and so we built the houses

from plasterboard, which is easy to install

yet pleasing to the eye. Insulated walls

and ceilings make homes comfortable,

warm and energy ef�cient. Each home

was built with a fully functional bathroom.

“The homes we built bring shelter, comfort

and pride to the people of Diepsloot,”

Senamile Mazibuko, Housing, Health and

Education Sector Manager.

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Thabo Mokoena and Bheki Mnikathi – both bene�ciaries of the project.

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Homes were provided for the elderly, unemployed and to child-headed households from the provincial housing list.

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The houses built by Gyproc provide the platform from which residents can address other important aspects of their home life, such as electricity.

Mr Mnikathi personally contributed time to the construction of his home, in line with the People’s Housing Process managed by the Department of Human Settlements.

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Management and staff of the Department of Human Settlements and Saint-Gobain both volunteered to help build these homes.

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84 year old Elizabeth Magagula with her granddaughter, Claire, bene�ted from the project.

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CATO MANORIN CONTEXT

Province: KwaZulu-Natal

Municipality: eThekwini

Main Place: Durban

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CATO MANORIN CONTEXT

Located only a few kilometres from

Durban’s city centre in KwaZulu-Natal,

Cato Manor is one of South Africa’s oldest

townships, with a history stretching back

to the late 19th century.

Today the area is home to roughly 100 000

people who have access to schools, clinics

and community centres. Many residents

have been awarded government-subsidised

houses, which are built without ceilings or

proper insulation. Ceilings help insulate

homes and remove dust and pollutants –

a signi�cant advantage, given that South

Africa has one of the highest rates of asthma

and respiratory problems in the world*.

*Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), 2013

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Cato Manor covers a geographical area of 2000 hectares.

This makeshift fast food stop is typical of the kinds of small businesses operating in the area.

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(3) About 100 000 people call Cato Manor their home.

Building a safe, family-friendly environment is part of providing adequate housing for the community.

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CATO MANORHOUSINGPROJECT:CREATINGCOMFORT,IMPROVINGEFFICIENCY

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As part of a broader initiative by the

Green Building Council to improve the

ef�ciency of government-subsidised

housing in targeted communities, Gyproc

committed to providing retro�tted

ceilings to 30 houses in Cato Manor.

Our retro�tted ceilings allow Cato Manor

residents to enjoy a more comfortable

home environment, with improved indoor

air quality and thermal regulation. Their

houses also look more attractive and

homely with fully insulated ceilings.

We believe that ceiling retro�ts have a

signi�cant role to play in establishing a

green economy. Thirty households in Cato

Manor have bene�ted from energy-

ef�cient insulation; we look to a future

where 3 million government-subsidised

houses receive the same advantage.

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Domestic life in a new house �tted with a Gyproc cathedral-pitch ceiling.

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The Cato Manor project was the �rst “green street” initiative in KwaZulu Natal, implemented by the Green Building Council of South Africa.

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This home shows a lack of protection from the elements,dust and rodents, all of which an insulated ceiling can provide.

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WITSANDIN CONTEXT

Province: Western Cape

District: Eden

Municipality: Hessequa

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About 35 years ago, the town of

Atlantis was formed in Western Cape,

accommodating workers relocated

from the city of Cape Town under the

Apartheid regime. Witsand is a rural

settlement outside Atlantis.

Witsand, which is Afrikaans for “white

sand", has an estimated population of

over 3 500.

The settlement, historically charac-

terised by shacks, has since seen

the construction of thousands of

Government-subsidised houses.

Much of the settlement’s development

in recent years is owed to the proactive

spirit of the Witsand community, who

has brought the state’s attention to its

housing problems.

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Broken-down shacks attest to Witsand’s need for formalised housing.

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This project sought to change the lives of thousands of people living in shacks.

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WITSANDHOUSINGPROJECT:EMPOWERINGCOMMUNITIES

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Over 400 energy ef�cient homes were built for Witsand residents.

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This project, led by Peer Africa, aimed

to maximise the natural use of solar energy

and natural ventilation in government-

subsidised houses in Witsand.

With Gyproc’s experience in insulated

ceilings and walls, we saw an opportu-

nity to guide local contractors.

In consultation with Gyproc, Peer

Africa �nalised the speci�cations for the

homes to be built and the materials to

be used. Our Academy members trained

Witsand ceiling contractors to install

insulated ceilings and walls. We also

supplied the teams with the appropriate

tools. The community was addressed

about safety in their homes.

We understand that empowering

communities is as important as donating

resources. Building a better future takes

more than bricks and mortar; it requires

a community equipped with skills and

knowledge.

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The Witsand community organised and petitioned around the need for housing in the area. Peer Africa assisted them in obtaining approval for the housing project, and the formation of community committees.

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A site being prepared for the next phase of building.

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Phase 1 of the project saw the contruction of 452 energyef�cient homes, with another 1835 homes to be erected over the next 3 years.

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MOREPROJECTSBYSAINT-GOBAINGYPROC

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THE MELLON HOUSINGINITIATIVES

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Niall

Mellon was moved by the poverty

pervading many of the communities

surrounding Cape Town when he began

charitable work in the region in 2002.

In an effort to help alleviate these

conditions he established the Niall Mellon

Township Trust, now the largest charity

contributor to subsidised housing in

South Africa.

Mellon Housing Initiatives forms part

of the trust, and sees thousands of

volunteers from the founder’s native

Ireland �y to South Africa to build homes

for the less fortunate. The number of

volunteers rose from 5 000 in 2007

to over 18 000 in 2012. It is estimated

that the initiative has overseen the

construction of more than 20 000

houses, contributing to the lives of over

100 000 South Africans.

Saint-Gobain Gyproc donated insulation

and ceiling material worth one million

Rand for a Mellon Housing Initiatives

project taking place in and around

Khayelitsha, Western Cape as well as

the Building Blitz in Ivory Park.

Saint-Gobain staff also participated as

volunteers in the building.

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BRINGING HOPE THROUGH COLLABORATION

Over several years, the construction of

roughly 20 000 homes took place in

Khayelitsha, as well as other settlements

near Cape Town such as KwaLanga.

Saint-Gobain Gyproc staff worked closely

with an Irish contingent of volunteers that

totalled in excess of 18 000, not to mention

locals who were eager to help facilitate

construction and ensure that residents

would receive the maximum bene�t.

Remaining true to the spirit of the Niall

Mellon Township Trust, organisers hoped

that by collaborating with professionals,

volunteers and locals alike, South Africans

might understand that it’s not only the

government that offers housing solutions

– there is also hope carried by citizens.

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CELEBRATING SOUTH AFRICA’S WOMEN

When the Department of Human

Settlements held its annual Women’s

Build project in Madadeni, KwaZulu-

Natal, we were eager to get involved.

Gyproc donated ceiling and insulation

materials for the �ve homes that

were built for the project. Only female

contractors were employed, and only

women bene�ted from this project.

To commemorate the 55th anniversary of

the 1956 Women’s March on the Union

Buildings, Gyproc donated 55 insulated

ceilings to homes built for female

bene�ciaries in Brandfort, Free State.

Brandfort experiences particularly cold

winters. With proper insulation, these

residents will save money and experience

a more comfortable home environment.

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Saint-Gobain has supported women entrepreneurs in ful�lling their dreams.Rhoda Moeti - shown above

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LEADING THE WAY TO HAPPIER COMMUNITIES

The town of Giyani in Limpopo has a

population of at least 30 000 people

who make use of both formal and

informal housing.

In order to contribute to housing

development in the region, Gyproc

staff joined the National Department

of Human Settlements in building

homes for child-headed households.

Training was held for the community

in which Gyproc communicated

the importance of having a ceiling

and the ease of retro�tting using

lightweight construction materials.

Over 250 houses were built in Giyani, Limpopo.

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In line with international building trends, this home is manufactured off-site, and shipped �at-packed with as few as 28 panels, and takes only 3 days to build.

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A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE LIVING

Gyproc’s lightweight building materials

allow for the construction of energy

ef�cient houses, which will play a central

role in building a green economy.

Joining forces with Humane Homes and

Cashbuild we built a model “green”

house in Meadowlands, Gauteng, to

give people the chance to view an

energy-ef�cient, two-bedroom,

modular house suitable for South

Africa’s working people.

Weber Therm Etics 60mmpolymer fiberglass net

Vario membrane 20mmx15mm battens

20mm Lindre dry finish

244mmx75mm joist

9mm OSBboard

9mm OSB board

15mm FireStop board

Vario membrane

Isover cavity batt

Steel Frame

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THE SAINT-GOBAINACADEMY

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SAINT-GOBAIN ACADEMY

The Saint-Gobain Academy offers a

unique opportunity to unemployed

South Africans who wish to obtain a

Grade 10 quali�cation related to

drywall and ceiling installation.

Academy members receive instruction

and gain work experience in basic

steel frame housing, drywall and

ceiling installation for a period of six

to twelve months.

The importance of providing these

opportunities for our Academy members

cannot be understated. These are the

skills that will bene�t the housing

construction industry in South Africa

for the coming generations.

Several graduates have gone on to start

their own small businesses, word-of-

mouth having proven to be a potent

driver for employing local skilled people,

and others have been directly employed

by construction companies.

The Academy is accredited by the

Manufacturing, Engineering and Related

Services Sector Education and Training

Authority (MERSETA) for learners to

achieve NQF levels 2 or 3. The Saint-

Gobain Academy has achieved a 100%

pass rate success between 2009 and

2011. The gender split of learners is

60% male and 40% female, and range in

age from 18 – 35, with representation

from all races.

The Academy, in conjunction with the

MERSETA, participated in supporting

learners who will compete in the

International World Skills Competition.

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The Saint-Gobain academy has sites in Samrand, Pretoria (pictured here) as well as in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.

The Saint-Gobain Academy gives unemployed South Africans the opportunity to earn a quali�cation and gain experience in the housing construction industry.

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Learners qualify from the Saint-Gobain Academy with a quali�cation in Metal & Engineering Manufacturing Process (basic assembly of steel frame housing, drywall and ceiling installation) at NQF levels 2 or 3.

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The Saint-Gobain Academy was established in 2003 and has trained more than 330 ceiling and drywall installers.

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REFERENCES

1. Assessment of Social Impacts of the Proposed City of Cape Town New

Regional Waste Site on Kalbaskraal and Atlantis, Shakti Malan and

Schalk van der Merwe (2006).

2. Cato Manor Development Project (http://www.cmda.org.za/).

3. Census 2011, Statistics South Africa (2012).

4. Diepsloot: Ready for Development, Johannesburg Development Agency (2011).

5. Poverty and Inequality at a Glance, The Inclusive Economies Project (2012).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Gyproc would like to thank the following organisations and individuals

for making these projects possible:

Cashbuild

The City of Johannesburg

The Gauteng Local Government and Housing Department

The National Department of Human Settlements

The Federation for the Urban Poor

The Green Building Council

Habitat for Humanity

Humane Homes

The National Youth Development Agency

Peer Africa

The People’s Housing Process in the Department of Human Settlements

The South African Homeless Federation

Mellon Township Initiatives

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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