By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
9 July 2025- Delegates attending the National Department of Human Settlements and New Urban Agenda “All of Society Stakeholder Workshop” are expected to engage with the Ya Rona Rapid Transport System as they gather cross-section perspectives on the urbanisation process in South African cities and towns.
The department said the country is in the process of formulating a report that reviews the implementation of government policy on the Integrated Urban Development Framework over the last five years, taking stock of current realities and what can be done for the next five-year period.
The acting Director: International Relations, Dr Lwandiso Mpepho, said this is an opportunity for various stakeholders to discuss and share their experiences in cities, towns, and villages, and contribute to planning for the future. Mpepho said the first day of the engagement will be spent on understanding the context and background for the formulation of South Africa’s 2026 report to UN-Habitat for a review and progress about the country’s implementation of the New Urban Agenda and site visits to learn from projects in the province.
“The second day will involve discussions with various stakeholders to provide their experiences for inclusion in the report. The workshops also create a platform for delegates to review their past performances, plan for the future of their cities, towns, and villages for the progressive realisation of sustainable development.
“As part of the process to compile the report, the department is also calling for impactful initiatives from communities, municipalities, NGOs, businesses and individuals that support better housing, inclusive cities, basic services, or climate action to submit their projects for possible inclusion on the report,” he said.
Mpepho further said 20 projects will be selected and featured in the national report, gaining exposure both locally and internationally and the submission deadline for this is 16 July 2025. He added that individuals can submit their story on the Google Form: https://forms.gle/mhCFX1APd8fbs1hr9
“Background information on the New Urban Agenda and the Integrated Urban Development Framework can be accessed using these links: SA-NUA-REPORT-final-15122022-compressed.pdf,” said Mpepho.
He said they can also use IUDF – Integrated Urban Development Framework IUDF-2016_WEB-min.pdf. According to Mpepho, the event will be held at Rustenburg Civic Centre from 10 until 11 July 2025 from 8am.
The Guardian 