Johannesburg - Joburg Mayor Herman Mashaba on Wednesday kick-started the project of giving Soweto residents titles deeds to people who had the right to occupy houses but not own them.
The houses were built during apartheid and the occupants were put on a 99 year lease as they were only given the right to occupy them and not own them.
However, the system was dismantled in the democratic dispensation and the process of giving residents titles deeds started in the 90s.
There are about 2 000 people still waiting for their title deeds in Soweto and the mayor’s first stop was in Diepkloof, where 73 year old Annah Dikgale was presented with a title deed after living in her house for 53 years.
The 70 year old woman was all smiles as she received her title deed, saying it came at a time that she had given up ever getting it. That was because she had been trying to get it since 2007 without luck and eventually gave up.
However, she could not believe it when she received a call on Tuesday that Mashaba will present her with the title deed that she had long been waiting for.
“This came as a surprise. When I was told that the mayor would be here I got so scared and thought “oh, they are going to take my house’ but was told not to be scared.
“I am happy mayor; I am blessed,” the grateful woman said to Mashaba.
Mashaba said the title deed was not just a piece of paper but one that will ensure that Dikgale does not lose her house to people who may want to lay claim it one day.
With the title deed, Dikgale can use the house as surety to be able to do among others, apply for a loan at the bank for her children’s education if she so wishes, Mashaba said.
He also said the city was speeding up the process of giving people their title deeds and they were so far happy with the progress and more will be given our in the next coming weeks.
The Star