South Africa

Context at a glance

Ntokozo dances for joy with the keys to her new home

Abundant in natural resources, South Africa has a well-developed infrastructure and a stock exchange that ranks among the 10 largest in the world. The nation is unique – despite having a first-world economy, many of South Africa’s people live in third-world conditions. Daunting economic problems remain from the apartheid era and unemployment rates are high. On the outskirts of urban areas, thousands of people live in shacks made from old boxes and scraps of tin and wood.

Habitat for Humanity programme

Since 1996, HFH South Africa has built over 1,600 houses in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Gauteng/North West provinces providing shelter for 7,500 people and bringing together people across racial, economic, cultural, and social boundaries for a common purpose. By the end of 2006, HFH South Africa aims to have built a further 1,000 houses in 50 communities across the country with more than 50,000 volunteers.

Habitat houses in South Africa are typically four-roomed and are constructed from cement blocks or brick.

Habitat for Humanity is helping orphans and vulnerable children through a special project in South Africa.

Read a volunteer story from South Africa Inspired to do more

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