Yesterday, Western Cape Human Settlements Minister, Tertuis Simmers, handed over 135 title deeds in Gouda, in the Drakenstein Municipal area.
This handover comes a mere five years after residents moved into the homes as part of the Gouda Integrated Residential Development Programme (IRDP) - housing development. The Gouda IRDP project was constructed between September 2014 and August 2015 at a cost of approximately R18 million.
Beneficiaries are all from Gouda and surrounding areas.
Minister Simmers said: “This is an example of accelerated delivery. It excites me to hand these title deeds over to our deserving beneficiaries. The event allowed us to ensure that 135 deserving beneficiaries become fully-fledged, legal homeowners. The hand over is yet another clear demonstration of the Western Cape Government’s commitment to restoring dignity and creating a better life for the people of this province.
Our continued aim is to give our residents a sense of security and pride in having full ownership of their properties. I was honoured to share in their joy and be part of this momentous occasion.”
One of the beneficiaries, 91-year-old Karel Visagie, said: “This is amazing, I am so grateful. It feels strange to think that such a young Minister also considers us, as the elderly. He really cares for the senior citizens and he must continue to do so. I cannot thank the Minister enough. This is a wonderful occasion.”
“As the Western Cape Government, we will continue striving towards establishing an enabling environment, so that we are better placed to grant beneficiaries security of tenure and make more residents legal homeowners by handing over these title deeds” added Simmers.
Marcellino Martin
Spokesperson for Minister Tertuis Simmers
Tel: 021 483 3397
Mobile: 082 721 3362
Email: Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za