Excitement and joy exuded the small and dusty community of Rietvallei on Wednesday, 18 September, as Premier Nomvula Mokonyane issued title deeds to more than 50 households in the area.
Premier Mokonyane was accompanied by members of the Gauteng provincial government's Executive Council (EXCO) and senior representatives from the Mogale City Municipality. Today's handover ceremony marks the beginning of an ongoing process of issuing title deeds to the communities in Gauteng who for years had been reduced to tenants
The Department of Human Settlement, working closely with the Executive Mayor of Mogale City Municipality and councilors, will continue to hand over the remaining title deeds to those individuals that have been successfully verified as the rightful owners of properties after today.
"To those we have issued with title deeds, we urge you to take good care of your houses and refrain from selling them and using them as collaterals when taking loans from loan sharks" said Mokonyane.
The residents that were prioritised in the title deed handover ceremony were elderly citizens, youth headed households and people living with disabilities. Seventy year old Aletha Motlaule, one of the beneficiaries, could not contain her excitement as she received her long awaited title deed.
"No words can describe how I feel today. I never thought I, too, would one day be counted amongst property owners. I am grateful to the government for making this possible, may they continue to do the same in other areas as well," said Motlaule.
Mokonyane committed to working with municipality and cooperatives to eradicate poverty in the area. "Through these partnerships we will build a community library and create business opportunities for the people of Rietvallei," she added.
