One hundred residents of Kwakwatsi, Koppies, are now homeowners after the full freehold title deeds, sponsored by Nedbank, were handed to those who have been living as tenants in their own homes, some for generations. Last Thursday, they had the privilege of no longer going to a house but going home. Their first step towards real economic empowerment was a life-changing moment. The title deeds presentation resulted from a non-partisan partnership between the Ngwathe mayor and officials and the Free Market Foundation’s (FMF) Khaya Lam (My Home) land reform project. The deeds are funded through the generosity of businesses and individuals. This initiative delivers home- ownership to township residents by facilitating the conversion of council-owned rental properties into freehold title – at no cost to the recipients or the local council.
To date, 3,700 title deeds have been handed out in the Ngwathe Municipality. With the current Covid-19 restrictions on mass gatherings, only three residents received their title deeds in person from the sponsors, Mayor, and representatives of the FMF. Among them was Mabele Nkoko, who turned 99 on 19 March. She could not have wished for a more welcome birthday gift. She moved to 4325 New Location in Tumahole in 1991/2 and now, almost 30 years later, has the title deeds to her house in her hand. Granny Nkoko said she has believed in God and respecting the elderly and others all her life. Although her sight is not what it used to be, she can still walk. And what a joy it was when she received not only the title deeds but a birthday cake, present and sash to celebrate almost a century for her. Each of the 100 title deeds recipients would also be given a keyring and a spekboom.
Present at the handing-over ceremony were Ngwathe’s executive mayor, Joey Mochela; Marius Volschenk (the regional manager of Nedbank Northern Free State); Thozama Mochadibane (head of Customer Delight – Nedbank Home Loans); Leon Louw (executive director of the Free Market Foundation) and Perry and Veronica Feldman. The Feldmans have played a remarkable role in the FMF’s Khaya Lam (My Home) land reform project.
