Joy as Belhar Residents Receive Title Deed in Their Home from Minister

Western Cape Human Settlements Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela today visited the home of 78 year old Mr Fuzile Mnweba and his wife Katrina to personally hand over their new title deed for their house. Mr Mnweba, who has difficulty walking, did not have to leave the comfort of his house to travel to receive the title deed and with his wife was excited about the personal visit.

Mr Mnweba was overcome with joy “Today is one of the happiest days of my life” he said. “I’ve been hoping for this day for so many years. There are no words to describe the feeling when a dream comes true.”

Another 41 title deeds were handed over by Minister Madikizela to Belhar residents at the Heugenot Hall in Belhar as part of the Department’s strategic objective to empower vulnerable citizens through ensuring security of tenure and to inculcate a sense of ownership and responsibility in housing beneficiaries. The handover is part of the government’s EEDBS (Enhanced Extended Discount Benefit Scheme) policy that allows for the transfer of pre-1994 public housing into the beneficiaries’ names.

“I am happy we were able to personally visit the Mwebas and make this a day to remember” said Minister Madikizela, “Today their lives have been changed for the better and I am humbled to be a part of it. I wish I could visit everyone but it’s just not possible. This is why we do what we do in Human Settlements.

Mr Mnweba, also said “ I am thankful that Minister Madikizela could come to my house, as it would have been difficult to get to the hall today in this bad weather.”

With security of tenure, beneficiaries are freed from the fear of eviction or removal. Many of the beneficiaries would have been victims of unfair removals or evictions in the past, and with a title deed, no one will be able to move them again. The beneficiaries will also be able to use their property as an asset on which they can leverage finance, raise families and bequeath something of value to future generations.

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 Department has spent an amount of approximately R1, 5 Million on the application of the EEDBS (Enhanced Extended Discount Benefit Scheme)