House is finally hers

Mpumalanga MEC for Department of Human Settlements Ms Violet Siwela handed out title deeds to the community of Suncity and Ext 34 in Ermelo last Friday.
Ms Siwela and her department are on a drive to hand over 10 000 title deeds across the province to low-income beneficiaries of government houses during the current financial year and 700 of those were issued to the people of Ermelo.
Gogo Josephina Bembe (85) of Ext 34 was the first recipient of a title deed after seven years of waiting. She could not hold back her tears when she received the document and thanked the MEC and her department.
“Now I can die in peace, knowing that my children and grandchildren will not be bothered in this house, as it’s now rightfully ours,” said the tearful grandmother, before the entourage made its way to the AJ Swanepoel Stadium for the rest of the proceedings.
Thousands of people braved the cold to attend the event at the stadium. During her address, Ms Siwela informed the audience that a title deed is not just an ordinary piece of paper, but a legal document that must be valued.
“Beneficiaries will now be able to use their title deeds to improve their dwellings, to acquire household goods and make use of capital, borrowing against their properties and start small businesses,” said Ms Siwela.
From the municipal point of view, property ownership compels owners to pay municipal rates for services rendered, thereby contributing to its ongoing financial viability and economic sustainability.
Title deeds will continue to be handed over throughout the province as soon as the Deeds Office releases them.
Those beneficiaries who could not collect their deeds last Friday or people that need more information, must contact Ms Evelyn Dlamini on 017 801 3569 or visit the municipal offices at the Civic Centre on the second floor.