For 500 families, a long wait and uncertainty came to a joyous end last night - for some after 22 years - when they were handed title deeds to their state-provided homes.
Thousands of families in the Western Cape are believed to be in a similar situation. Human Settlements MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela said his department did not have exact figures on how many title deeds were outstanding.
Ward 19 councillor Frank Martin (DA) previously said that more than 10 000 people in the Delft area were awaiting their title deeds.
In May, New Crossroads residents staged a sit-in at the Department of Human Settlements over delays in the transfer of their properties.
Many of the protesters were paying rent to the City of Cape Town when other residents had long since taken transfer of their homes.
In Delft last night, Leonie and Brenville Louw said they were excited to own their home and were making plans to extend the house.
An excited Leonie said: "We've been living here for 19 years. Because we didn't have a title deed to our home, we couldn't make any improvements - now this has changed."
Families were paying between R250 and R270 rent a month to the City of Cape Town.
Addressing new homeowners in Delft last night, Madikizela emphasised the responsibility that came with ownership, "because taking ownership is not only about the legal transfer of your house from the Department of Human Settlements to you. What is also transferred from the government to you is the responsibility to look after your house. Taking ownership also means taking responsibility," he said.
One of the conditions of the transfers was that the new owners would not be able to sell their properties for five years. Madikizela said: "You are receiving a valuable asset today, and you must look after it and make sure you do not give it away cheaply. Do not let anyone convince you that you should sell it - not your children or other members of your family, and certainly not a potential buyer."
He said the money received through the sale of government-subsidised housing was often used for short-term goals, as shown by surveys conducted in areas like Dunoon near Milnerton.
Madikizela emphasised the importance of residents insuring their properties against disaster since the City of Cape Town and provincial government would no longer be responsible for repairing damage.
Madikizela urged homeowners to save money for maintenance of their properties and for repair of possible storm damage.
Thousands of families in the Western Cape are believed to be in a similar situation. Human Settlements MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela said his department did not have exact figures on how many title deeds were outstanding.
Ward 19 councillor Frank Martin (DA) previously said that more than 10 000 people in the Delft area were awaiting their title deeds.
In May, New Crossroads residents staged a sit-in at the Department of Human Settlements over delays in the transfer of their properties.
Many of the protesters were paying rent to the City of Cape Town when other residents had long since taken transfer of their homes.
In Delft last night, Leonie and Brenville Louw said they were excited to own their home and were making plans to extend the house.
An excited Leonie said: "We've been living here for 19 years. Because we didn't have a title deed to our home, we couldn't make any improvements - now this has changed."
Families were paying between R250 and R270 rent a month to the City of Cape Town.
Addressing new homeowners in Delft last night, Madikizela emphasised the responsibility that came with ownership, "because taking ownership is not only about the legal transfer of your house from the Department of Human Settlements to you. What is also transferred from the government to you is the responsibility to look after your house. Taking ownership also means taking responsibility," he said.
One of the conditions of the transfers was that the new owners would not be able to sell their properties for five years. Madikizela said: "You are receiving a valuable asset today, and you must look after it and make sure you do not give it away cheaply. Do not let anyone convince you that you should sell it - not your children or other members of your family, and certainly not a potential buyer."
He said the money received through the sale of government-subsidised housing was often used for short-term goals, as shown by surveys conducted in areas like Dunoon near Milnerton.
Madikizela emphasised the importance of residents insuring their properties against disaster since the City of Cape Town and provincial government would no longer be responsible for repairing damage.
Madikizela urged homeowners to save money for maintenance of their properties and for repair of possible storm damage.
- Cape Times
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