Slangrivier Residents Become Proud Home Owners | Western Cape Government

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Slangrivier Residents Become Proud Home Owners

25 April 2016

Slangrivier residents received their title deeds from Western Cape Human Settlements Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela and Hessequa Municipality’s  Executive Mayor, Ms Emor Nel, on 18 April 2016.

Forty-five residents of the Slangrivier community were elated when they officially became the owners of their own homes. Slangrivier is close to Heidelberg and forms part of the Hessequa municipal area in the Eden District.

Twelve of the 45 title deeds were handed over to elderly beneficiaries.  Ms Marie Hartnick (72) was overjoyed to receive her title deed. “I am happy that I am seeing this day happen. To know that I own my home at this age means a lot to me.”

 The handover forms part of the Departments strategic objective to empower vulnerable citizens.

Addressing the beneficiaries at the Slangrivier Community Centre, the Minister urged the beneficiaries to take care of their homes. “Now that you have the title deeds – it means that you are the owner of the property and the land. Once you have the title deed, this investment is yours. I also hope that you understand that this is part of land distribution and land restitution, “Said Minister Madikizela.

The handover of the title deeds form part of the Department’s strategic objective to prioritise vulnerable citizens for housing opportunties. With security of tenure; beneficiaries are freed from the fear of eviction or removal. The beneficiaries can use their property as an asset on which they can leverage finance, raise families and bestow something of value to future generations.

The Department has spent R3.2 million in subsidies on this programme.

The Minister took the opportunity to inform the beneficiaries of the many of people who were still waiting for houses. “There are many people waiting for houses in the Western Cape; in the Eden District there are 65 000 people on the waiting list. We will not be able to give everyone a house and this is why we are prioritising to give the most deserving beneficiaries houses first.”