The long awaited moment of home ownership finally arrived for dozens of families in Ward 120 as the Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Human Settlements, Mlungisi Mabaso presided over the official handover of 88 title deeds at a community event this week.
MMC described the event as a “celebration and appreciation of human settlement in accordance with community members,” emphasising that the event was part of a broader, ongoing commitment to improving living conditions in the area.
“This is not the first time we come to Ward 120. At first, we came to rebuild the streets, and now we are here to provide the community with title deeds,” said MMC Mabaso.
The MMC also acknowledged the partnership with Ward Councillor Puseletso Nzimande, praising the councillor for continued collaboration in serving residents. “I appreciate Councillor Nzimande because we have been working together for a long time,” he added.
During the address, the MMC highlighted the critical importance of a title deed, explaining that it is the official document that proves legal ownership of a house. He stated that parents should secure the future of their families by ensuring they have proper documentation in place.
Ward Councillor Nzimande, said: “The importance of this document is to give the remaining families of the deceased a way forward, and to show who the legal owner of the property is. We need to give people ownership of their houses. We need to see them walking comfortably knowing that they own their properties.”
Nzimande further noted that the benefits of holding a title deed extend beyond having a home. “It’s not only about human settlements, it goes beyond that. You can start a business or do something that can bring income to you and your family,”she shared.
MMC also warned residents to safeguard their documents, pointing out the risks posed by fraudsters who exploit the deeds system: “Make sure you don’t lose your title deeds. We have criminals who operate within government systems, and they work with deeds to evict elderly people from their homes.”
Residents expressed gratitude as they recieve their title deeds. “I am very delighted to get this title deed because I am always worried about my children if I die and I have not secured a property,” a resident said.
Image: Viki Stuurman
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