Sapoa, National Treasury work together on improving S Africa’s spatial development

20th January 2016 By: Megan van Wyngaardt - Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

Sapoa, National Treasury work together on improving S Africa’s spatial development

Photo by: Duane Daws

The South African Property Owners Association (Sapoa) and the National Treasury have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to focus on joint strategic partnerships, and collaboration on research-coordinated planning and urban management.

The MoU would place emphasis on spatial planning, including spatial targeting of investment across all spheres of government and the property industry; promoting the alignment of planning and investment funding and financing as key steps in the built environment value chain; and working towards skills improvement.
 
Sapoa president Mike Deighton highlighted that further research into the sector would promote education, enabling Sapoa to improve its effectiveness with key stakeholders.

“We have a role to advocate and understand what the issues in business are and to advocate for a successful business environment. Advocacy is not about lobbying and pointing fingers, it is about looking for constructive and proactive ways of dealing with government in particular.

“Lastly, it is the development of better leadership that creates better value. Positive and constructive leadership takes us forward,” he added.
 
National Treasury deputy director-general Malijeng Ngqaleni said the department faced many spatial inadequacies, adding that working relationships such as these would strengthen the resolve towards realising some of the most important built environment objectives within cities.

“It is not a secret that our fiscus is under enormous pressure owing to a variety of challenges and the scarcity of resources faced by government in light of the current climate. It is, therefore, important to do more with less in tackling our development goals.

“This partnership is aimed at coordinated planning, implementation and urban management. Working together, we are destined for success as we endeavour to pool our combined strategies and resources,” she said.