For seven residents of Rietbok Avenue in Lotus River, receiving the title deeds to City owned properties they have rented for more than 50 years was an emotional and joyous occasion.
Ward 67 councillor Gerry Gordon, who handed over the title deeds on Wednesday 25 September, said the moment was long awaited.
“I’m totally elated about this auspicious moment that seven of my residents in Lotus River are receiving their title deeds,” she shared.
“Some people have passed on without getting a title deed.”
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Ensuring that more families receive title deeds to their homes is a priority for the City, she adds.
“You can have a house but without that title deed or papers it can be very difficult, especially if you look at the amount of people being put out of their homes.”
City-wide project
Giving back dignity to generations of families with the title deed handover, at the City’s cost, is a project rolled out across the City.
“These residents were renting from the City before, so this particular programme is where we have semi-detached and free-standing houses that we transfer to the family,” said Gordon.
“We’ve been at this since 2021 and many things happened in between while some things were beyond the control of the administration.
“They have seen the urgency, and it sounds like a long time but if you look at it, it’s actually a short space of time we managed to get this done.”
It was with a heavy heart that Lorraine Williams (31) accompanied her father to collect their title deed.
“My mom passed away from cancer almost two years ago,” she shared emotionally. “It is very emotional for us because my mom is not here,” Williams added while wiping tears away.
She is one of six siblings who grew up in the same home.
“It took very long to get these papers, everything is just so overwhelming,” she said. “Nowadays people receive the keys to their property when they are very old or they die, so this is just such a joy.”
Relief
For Nazeen Sonday (57) who accompanied his mom Moerida Sonday (86) to collect her title deed, it was a sigh of relief.
“I was born in Lotus River and moved to this house as a child. We are very excited and thankful to have the title deed,” he commented. “To after all these years having paid rent and now there is no-one working in the house, it is a blessing.”
With a beaming smile on her face Gadija Jaftha told the People’s Post that she was beyond excited to receive the title deed to her childhood home where she still resides.
“This is a birthday present for me, I am turning 60 soon so I am quite happy and excited,” she commented. “I have gratitude after waiting so long and for always wanting to have a house of my own.”
The grandmother, who has 14 grandchildren, is thankful that she now knows her family would always have a roof over their heads.
“This is a rental house and it was always a big concern because we had five children and we were concerned when the house would eventually be ours,” she shared. “Now that we have the title deed, we know the house is mine and I am very happy.”
