Palesa Mofoti and Khumo Makame
Ten families from Jacksonville, Kimberley received Title Deeds and a will template. This emotional process led by MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Bentley Vass. The Sol Plaatjie Municipality was represented by the Speaker, Dipuo Peters, Councillors and community members came to witness this historic moment.
The Jacksonville houses are part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s R1 billion housing project launched in January 2024 to Fastrack housing backlog in the province. It also serves as a symbol of the commitment made by the Northern Cape Premier, Dr. Zamani Saul, to provide housing for everyone in the province.
Peters encouraged beneficiaries to protect their assets. “The government requests that we watch over this house. Let us not come one day and find out that Mr Links threw stones at the house or Mrs links broke the windows,” she said.
Amongst the beneficiaries was Nicolene Walker, who lived in a shack for 24 years with her six children, “I never gave up, it was worth the wait. For the fact that I received it, it does not matter how it looks. What matters is that it is mine,” she said with pride.
Vass explained that a Title Deed provides legal ownership of the property and can be used as leverage for other economic benefits. He pledged that Cogta, will work with all municipalities in the province, stepping up efforts to deliver available Title Deeds throughout the province.
Mcedisi Nolitye, Councilor from Sol Plaatjie Municipality, indicated to beneficiaries the objective of giving the Title Deed with a Will Template is: “To offer the owner of the house an opportunity to choose whom you want to leave the house to should something happen to you .” He also advice beneficiaries to complete and submit the Will Template to avoid fights over the house.
According to Tebogo Monyo, Cogta Spokesperson, 139 houses were allocated to Jacksonville. Fifteen (15) Title Deeds were handed over in July. “Today, 8 September, we are handing over 10 Title Deeds. The reason why we do it as an ongoing process is that we fear vandalism should we wait for the houses to be completed,” he remarked.
Publication No 68 Publication No 67
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