Johannesburg: AfricUpdate – News Desk
Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has urged beneficiaries of fully subsidised government houses to value their properties and safeguard them as lasting assets for future generations. Simelane made the call during the handover of title deeds to homeowners in Kwahlomendlini, Mandeni Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal’s north coast.
“Value your properties. The title deeds you are receiving today are not just pieces of paper. They are instruments of dignity, economic empowerment, security, and a promise of a better future,” Simelane said. The Minister emphasised that title deeds provide legal ownership, protect families from illegal evictions or occupation, and offer peace of mind for current and future generations.
Earlier this month, the Minister and provincial Human Settlements MECs resolved to revive the Title Deeds Fridays campaign, an initiative aimed at mobilising all spheres of government to release all outstanding title deeds to rightful beneficiaries. As part of the 2024-2029 Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP), the Department of Human Settlements is targeting the registration and handover 80 000 title deeds, unlocking asset value worth more than R16 billion.
Last week, Simelane and KwaZulu-Natal Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma conducted an oversight visit to assess housing needs of families affected by the 2022 floods in eThekwini and uMgungundlovu Districts Municipality. Nearly 100 permanent houses were handed over to displaced families whose homes were destroyed.
Acknowledging delays in settling other victims, Simelane said the department has invested in social facilitation for both affected families and surrounding communities. “We must reject the ‘Not in My Backyard’ mentality. This mindset perpetuates a form of pre-1994 segregation. It hinders the dismantling of the apartheid spatial planning. True democracy requires inclusive communities that reflect the values of our Constitution.” she said.
The Minister commended traditional leaders and communities who have embraced displaced families with compassion and solidarity. The department has undertaken to prioritise building over 1000 housing units to accommodate victims of disasters in and around eThekwini. The MEC confirmed that government has secured several pockets of state-owned land to house displaced communities.
