Mandeni: 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.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Minister highlighted that title deeds are not merely documents but are instruments of dignity, economic empowerment, security, and a promise of a better future. 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 focused on 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 of 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 for 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 stated that the department has invested in social facilitation for both affected families and surrounding communities. She urged rejection of the ‘Not in My Backyard’ mentality, describing it as a mindset that perpetuates a form of pre-1994 segregation and hinders the dismantling of apartheid spatial planning. The Minister praised traditional leaders and communities who have embraced displaced families with compassion and solidarity.
The department has committed to prioritising the construction of over 1,000 housing units to accommodate victims of disasters in and around eThekwini. The MEC confirmed that the government has secured several pockets of state-owned land to house displaced communities.