Challenges to Project Delivery in the Dynamic Human Settlement Environment in South Africa

Abstract

Governments worldwide are continually battling to address the housing backlog. In South Africa the backlog stems from previous discriminatory regimes and increasing urbanization. The housing backlog in South Africa has increased significantly and most especially in Cape Town. Housing is seen as a measure to transform and unify the segregated population. Project Leaders (PLs) are saddled with the responsibility of housing delivery and managing diverse stakeholders. Although project management is the driving force behind housing delivery, the project process is not free from dynamics. These housing projects constantly attract social and political attention, resulting in the PL repetitively contending with the inherited social and political dynamics of the Human Settlement Environment (HSE). The numerous challenges facing the PL created by the dynamism and ensuing complexity is unknown. Therefore, this research examines the challenges faced by PLs in the HSE and whether PLs exercise a capacity to transform, maintain, and lead the project organization creatively. A qualitative research approach with inductive-philosophical reasoning that employs interviews for data collection was chosen for the study. A sample of 19 PLs working in the public sector of human settlements in Cape Town was purposefully selected to participate in the study. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify appropriate themes. The results identified six challenges: Social, Political, Organizational, Legislative challenges, Multi-stakeholder, and Skills faced by PLs. Following these themes, two key issues showed that social and political influence were the dominant factors affecting the implementation of housing projects. The research found that PLs do not have the authority in housing delivery. This limits the PL's ability to transform, maintain and lead the project organization creatively.