Over the next few months 640 ward 76 residents will receive their title deeds free and clear, thanks to the efforts of the City of Cape Town.
The first 110 residents of this group had their details registered yesterday (9 October) at Lobelia Hall, with the title deeds being issued within the next six to 12 months.
Ward 76 councillor Avron Plaatjies said the residents were invited to this event to register their documents for the expedition of their title deeds according to a list supplied by the City’s home ownership department.
Officials attached to this department were on hand as part of the Human Settlements Directorate’s roadshow.
“Many of these residents have been paying up their properties over the years, but they have not been able to get their deeds because they cannot afford the attorney’s costs for the transfers,” says Plaatjies. “The City is now absorbing those costs.”
He added that residents have been waiting for decades.
“We are kickstarting the administrative process to hand people’s title deeds to them. These are residents who have been living in Ward 76 since the start of Mitchell’s Plain.”
Magreta Koopman, a community worker known as Mrs Louw, has advocated for ownership for residents for the past 24 years.
“I am feeling so privileged and tearful on this occasion to see this happening,” she said.
“That there is action, especially when I look at the elderly here, and it is a pity it took so long, but it has happened.
“I want to thank Councillor Plaatjies for taking this step. He gave us an ear and took the initiative forward.”
Koopman said the importance of homeownership was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, where the lack of space and overcrowding was a problem.
“As the older generation we need to make plans. The youth do not have that. To be able to extend their houses, they need the plan. To be able to do anything, they need the plan.
“There is a huge backlog because of the pandemic, we understand that. People have started to lose hope and trust, but we have always asked for patience and today it is here.”
Montrose Park resident Abduragiem Isaacs was one of the residents registering their details.
“We have been waiting for 32 years,” he said. ‘We are happy and excited to be here after all these years. Now, at least one of the worries is gone.”
Isaacs moved to the area from Hanover Park.
“We were so excited when we received the call that we needed to go to Parow because the transfer of the property onto my name was underway.”
Those who still require additional or supporting documents will have a call-back opportunity to ensure their registrations are complete.
The officials also assist those who require registration at the Master’s Offices in the event of deaths.
Residents are invited to register based on a list of qualifying residents provided by the department.
