CHAIRMAN's REPORT
 

Annexure “A”

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE AFRICAN UNION OF HOUSING FINANCE (AUHF)

IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA 15TH MARCH 2010

 

INTRODUCTION

I wish to warmly welcome you all to the Executive Committee meeting of the AUHF here in Johannesburg. I further wish to express gratitude to the generous invitation by the Banking Association, South Africa through the most able Mr. Cas Coovadia to use their premises for our meeting this morning. This gesture, Ladies and Gentlemen, should not be taken for granted as indeed it is yet another sign that Banking Association, South Africa is committed to the ideals of AUHF and they are always ready to go an extra mile to ensure assets at their disposal are accessed by AUHF when the need arise. While we thank them, profusely as we do, we should not only feel invited but challenged to contemplate of our individual contribution to the noble course of AUHF. For indeed it only through individual and collective sacrifice that voluntary organizations such as our AUHF could have a chance to survive.

It is with deep regret that one of our long standing and very active member of the Executive Committee, Mr. Tumbul Danso could not be with us here today due to other political decisions regarding his employment contract. This is a profound loss especially to the AUHF Executive Committee as Mr. Danso was a stalwart to our common cause.

We are also reliably informed that Mr. Madu Hamman, a proxy for Mrs. R A Okwechime of Abbey Building Society Plc of Nigeria, could not join us today as well as there were problems with the processing of his VISA application here in South Africa. Mr. Seetohul of Mauritius Housing Company Ltd will also not be able to join our meeting today. Mrs. Ethel Matenge-Sebesho will also not attend.

PROGRESS REPORT

AUHF/Cities Alliance

Informal Settlement Project

This project was extended to Zambia as requested. To date there has been no report to indicate that any progress has been made with regard to the commencement of the project in Zambia. Earlier indications that the Cities Alliance and the World Bank would want to extend their collaboration with AUHF have been noted.

Partnership with Regional Bodies

Partnership initiatives by AUHF with regional Bodies are proving a challenge. Earlier contacts with African Development Bank, Shelter Afrique, FMO and IFC have not borne fruit. IFC gave indications that they would rather collaborate with the mother body, IUHF; FMO and Shelter Afrique have not furnished a response to our invitations while ADB has expressed that, at the moment, they do not have projects on their offing through which we could meaningfully participate.

MEMBERSHIP

The membership of the Union stands at 30, made up of 29 institutions from 14 countries and one honorary member. We are hoping for a positive report from Maria Helena Palalane Ribeiro with regard to the recruitment of Angola as well as Mrs. Mpofu for the recruitment of Zambia. The membership of HFC Mortgage Savings (Sierra Leone) Limited is still outstanding.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Subscriptions were received from twenty members at an average of R15,051.00 making a collection of R301,020.00 plus.

Fees are still outstanding from the following;

1)       Barclays Bank Ghana - USD 3,500

2)       Botswana Building society - USD 3,500

3)       Centage S&L Nigeria - USD 2,000

4)       MHC Malawi - USD 2,000

5)       MHF Co - USD 2,000

6)       NBS Bank Ltd Malawi - USD 3,500

7)       Rwanda Housing Bank - USD 2,000

8)       Savings and Loans Kenya - USD 3,500

Some members owe subscriptions from much earlier years and the secretariat will provide details of follow ups made.

I must express that it is most disheartening that some members just do not pay their dues without expressing or bothering to advance any financial distress on their part. We can only implore those members in good standing to encourage their compatriots to make good the debts.

STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION REVIEW

Capacity Building

Members were requested to respond by providing national mortgage data in the now simplified format. The secretariat should on the other hand actively request for this data with the help from Regional Representatives.

Government Engagement

The topical issues regarding Informal Settlements should be used as engagement vehicles to open debates with Governments. The sensitive nature of this topic provides opportunities for meaningful dialogue with relative political authorities.

Partnership with and Reports from Regional Bodies

All these have been discussed above under Progress Report and Capacity Building.

The Secretariat

No progress has been made with the recruitment of a professional with a good knowledge of Housing Finance. This has to be discussed further at the EXCO along with the decision regarding the relocation of the Secretariat personnel to Cape Town.

The idea of opening a US Dollar account in Botswana fell through as the EXCO Secretary advised that since members are now paying subscription in South African Rand there is no reason to open a USD account in Botswana.

May I take this opportunity to thank all those who made an effort to attend this EXCO meeting in Johannesburg.

That concludes my report and I move for its adoption.

Reginald Motswaiso (Chairman 2009/2010)

 

 

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