97-year Old to Receive Title Deed From Minister Madikizela

Two-hundred-and-nine residents of Belhar, Cape Town will receive the title deeds to their houses today, 3 December 2013, from Western Cape Minister of Human Settlements Bonginkosi Madikizela.

The oldest beneficiary is 97 years old, along with a further three beneficiaries in their 90s, and 15 beneficiaries in their 80s.

The issuing of title deeds is part of the department's strategy to inculcate a sense of ownership and responsibility among housing beneficiaries, and to ensure that all recipients of government houses have the full rights of property ownership by having their title deeds.

The handover is part of the government’s Enhanced Extended Discount Benefit Scheme (EEDBS) policy that allows for the transfer of pre-1994 public housing into the beneficiaries’ names. The houses were originally sold to beneficiaries under a loan agreement.

However, the title deeds were not transferred from the government to the beneficiaries until the loans were paid off. Using the current housing subsidy, the government pays an amount towards the outstanding loan, and if the loan is cleared using the subsidy contribution, then the house is transferred to the beneficiary.

The subsidy amount depends on the income level of the beneficiary. Many of the beneficiaries are unemployed, and live off a government social grant.

All media are invited.

Location: Hugenot Belhar Minor Hall 
Date: 3 December 2013

Directions

• From Cape Town, take the N2 towards airport.
• Take the Modderdam turnoff, turn left, and then at the fourth set of traffic lights turn right onto the Stellenbosch Arterial Road.
• Continue straight, and at the third set of traffic lights, you will see the Airport Mall and a KFC.
• Turn left, go past the BP Garage, and the Hugenot Hall will be on the right.