MAIN IMAGE: Mmamoloko Kubayi, Minister of Human Settlements
Editor
“Applications must be online. Payments must be made online. Exams must be online. Renewals and new applications must be online. The technology is available to provide for all the security concerns that anyone can have”, the Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi said to applause at a PPRA event held in Sandton on the 11th of July.
A look at where we started
Speaking to property practitioners the Minister explained that her priority when taking on the portfolio was to stabilize the industry, both in terms of the national department (and its entities), but also to ensure that good governance was observed. “I said to the new board at the time, that I do not compromise on corporate governance. This includes the principles of transparency, accountability, and security, all these principles, but more importantly as well in terms of services…All these principles should be observed so that the entity could function properly in a safe and healthy environment in which the entity is best able to achieve its mandate. I remember that time I said to the board, the current entity (then the newly formed PPRA that replaced the largely defunct EAAB) is in the ICU, and I urgently wanted it out of the ICU”.
The Minister recalls telling the new PPRA board that basic services were not in place – issues every estate agent is aware of ranging from difficulties registering and writing exams, getting their results, obtaining FFC certificates, and that a reduction in the daily complaints she received, would be an indication that things were being rectified.
A critical element was also the relationship between the then EAAB and the industry, which she believes had been mismanaged. Today she shares that the feedback she’s receiving is that there’s now a working relationship between the PPRA and the industry. “That’s not to say there’s no room for improvement but the revival of this relationship is something we should nurture and strengthen.
The PPRA has three main functions, which are to regulate the affairs of all property practitioners to allow for transformation in the property sector and to provide consumer protection. The entity cannot achieve these functions by itself. It requires partnership and collaboration with the sector, especially”.
The minister indicated that a big stumbling block in terms of improving service delivery by the PPRA has been the amount of manual processing.
Entering the digital space within 3 months
“The only way that we are going to improve the ease of doing business is through digitization. I have committed as the portfolio head… to move the entire human settlement sector, especially in the public space, to a digital platform. I used to serve on the World Economic Forum Artificial Intelligence Committee, and as a person who’s more exposed to what digital platforms and technology can do, I envy and I feel ashamed when I sit with my counterparts and they talk about how they’ve moved a lot of their services online and how it is efficient and how it is transparent, but it gives them value”.
The Minister indicated that she has committed herself to delivering a digital platform as part of her legacy to this portfolio, “Within the next three months all of these things are to move to a digital platform. Applications must be online. Payments must be made online. Exams must be online. Renewals and new applications must be online. The technology is available to provide for all the security concerns that anyone can have”.
A commitment to excellence and service delivery
“I always say to my portfolio, my middle name is not ‘I am sorry’, where every time I go somewhere, I must start first by apologizing for the mishaps. That time has to pass. At least most people have gotten that knowledge. I’ve received good feedback”, the Minister explained.
That said, she acknowledges that the basics need to be gotten right and believes that the digital platform will solve the bulk of the issues in terms of registration, writing exams, getting results, obtaining FFCs, and the like.
“We thank you. We’ve listened to your complaints. You are paying for this service and there’s nothing less we should be able to give except for an efficient and effective service. And that’s the commitment you have from this minister”, she concluded.
