HAS THE RDP MET THE CRITERIA YET?



RDP houses in the Western Cape. Vrygrond

What was the purpose of coming with the resolution of RDP houses? Was this programme really designed to cater for the less unfortunate? Well, what I have seen and heard about the RDP houses is totally working against the mission and vision of this programme. I further say that; the standard that it was set upon has not the met criteria standard to suit the needs of our people.

Upon reading the RDP framework, I came across following statement stating that: “It seeks to mobilise all our people and our country’s resources toward the final eradication of the results of "apartheid". It’s amazing how this statement is well written but we still find people struggling out there; whereas they were told and promised so many things of which some of them have not yet been fulfilled. We hear of cases of fraud, alleged planning, inadequacies, procurement irregularities including corruption leading to defective house (Sowetan).  Does this mean that our people were deceived and not told the truth? Why is that people in high place are always taking advantage of the vulnerable?

To me this seems as if the government of South Africa is not willing to reach out to the people, and do what it said it will do to change and reform the imbalances of the past. At times one would say that the apartheid was much better than our current government. One of the six basic principles of the RDP says that it is people driven and seeks to bind up with the peace and security of the people, but where is peace in that? Why are people so angry that they are always embarking on strikes? This for me means that a lot needs to be done and people need to be given what they were promised a long time ago.

Although, some have granted the RDP houses but we find the houses are not well constructed or are not in the rightful allocation, so now where is integrity and sustainability in that? What I’m trying to convey to you my readers is that much needs to be done hence I believe that community relations has not been done and maybe a lot of public relations needs to be done as soon as possible. I believe that with the knowledge that public relations have about community relations by the government and the private sector many things can be achieved enormously.