Status of informal settlements targeted for upgrading: implications for policy and impact evaluation

South Africa is characterised by various forms of inequality, which are magnified in informal settlements. In a population of over 51 million, income inequalities by race continues to persist. Income inequality results in other forms of exclusion, the most glaring being access to adequate housing which explains the overrepresentation of Africans and Coloureds in informal settlements. Catherine Ndinda, Charles Hongoro, Demetre Labadarios, Tholang Mokhele, Ernest Khalema, Gina Weir Smith, Konosang Sobane reflect on the implications for policy and impact evaluation through the upgrading of informal settlements programme.