Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) brought together key stakeholders from across government, academia, and the housing sector this week for the 2026 IHSP SA 9th Masterclass Workshop. Held from 8 to 9 October 2026, the two-day event focused on addressing regional housing challenges under the theme “From disaster response to resilient settlements: housing solutions for KZN and beyond.”
Organised in collaboration with the Institute of Human Settlement Practitioners South Africa (IHSP-SA), the workshop aimed to advance professional practice, strengthen sector capacity, and deepen collaboration between academic institutions and industry leaders. Dr Bongekile Mvuyana, Head of the Department of Public Administration and Economics at MUT, highlighted that the primary goal of the Masterclass was to foster a comprehensive understanding of human settlement issues nationally and within KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in particular, building on insights shared by Max Mbili, Director-General of the KZN Department of Human Settlements.
The workshop equipped practitioners, academics, and policymakers with tools to move beyond short-term disaster relief toward sustainable, long-term settlement planning. Throughout the sessions, participants explored emerging technologies, novel models, and policy frameworks designed to build safer and more inclusive communities.
Participants analyzed real-world disaster and housing scenarios, using case studies and lessons learned from KZN and neighbouring provinces to promote evidence-based decision-making and integrate academic research directly into public policy. A major focus of the discussions was the administrative and logistical complexity of service delivery in the human settlements sector.
Dr Andile Biyela, Chair of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlement, provided a candid overview of the challenges facing oversight bodies, pointing to unfinished housing developments, poor construction quality, and mismanaged funds. “As people responsible for oversight, we go and see for ourselves what is happening in projects. We wanted to uncover the truth,” Dr. Biyela stated. “Our responsibility is to move beyond what is on paper and find out what is happening. In some cases, we discovered that housing structures have been compromised, and houses must be built again.”
Dr Mvuyana added that MUT hopes the gathering will serve as a springboard to resuscitate the dedicated Human Settlement Chair previously held by the university, further cementing MUT’s position as a hub for research and leadership in South African urban planning.