Deputy Speaker, allow me to thank hon Dambuza for the question. The reply is as follows: Despite the huge advances made since 1994 in providing over 3 million subsidised housing opportunities, the housing backlog refuses to be eradicated and it currently stands at 2,3 million. The Department and the Ministry of Human Settlements realises that it cannot do this alone. Last year it launched Each One Settle One, to get South Africans from all walks of life to contribute in reducing the huge housing backlog.
The responses from corporate South Africa and ordinary people have been overwhelming. Besides those who pledged to provide a house for a domestic worker, building material, skills and land, Anglo American Platinum Ltd pledged to build 20 000 houses for its employees in the Limpopo and North West provinces.
The first phase of the project was launched in November last year, totalling 8 000 high-quality housing units in Limpopo and 12 000 in North West, primarily for employees of the mining company in the two provinces. I thank you. [Applause.]