Durban: A hundred Shallcross residents received title deeds to their homes giving them full ownership of their homes occupied pre-1994.
The handover took place at an event held by the Department of Human Settlements.
Peter Kistamma who was removed from Overport in 1985 during the former Group Areas Act, was placed in Alpine Drive in Shallcross.
Kistamma, 76, said that when she received the letter confirming that she would be one of the recipients to receive their title deeds she was overjoyed.
“It has been close to 40 years since I waited for this moment. I never thought at the age of 76 that I would be the official owner of my home. When I moved into the flat, it was me, my husband, and four children. My husband, who passed on in 2005, would have also been excited by this news.”
The mother of four said she worked at a clothing and spice factory during apartheid.
“At that time, rent was about R14 a month. I live in a two-bedroom flat with my son and two grandchildren. The only issue that I now face is that renovations for the home have not been done. However, it was announced in the meeting that they would continue with renovations even though we received the title deeds,” she said.
Another elderly resident, Jusodhra Prakash, 87, said she is happy that her children can now have something passed on from her. “It was an exciting moment for me after receiving the news of being a homeowner at this age. I moved to Shallcross more than 40 years ago during the Group Areas Act movement. At that time, we had no choice but to move unwillingly. However I have built my home and family in this area and I love living here,” she said.
Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi described the event as historic: “Out of the 562 title deeds, only less than 200 of them are yet to be handed over to the residents of Shallcross, ward 71.
“We will ensure that we hand over the remaining title deeds as soon as possible. This is something we are prioritising as government, to ensure that we restore dignity and address apartheid spatial planning. We want to see a situation where previously disadvantaged people become owners of properties.”
Ward councillor for Shallcross, Previn Vedan, said: “The handover ceremony could not have come at a more appropriate time as the KwaZulu-Natal Human Settlements Department is presently rolling out its accelerated Title-Deed Restoration Programme. It was a joyous day, we must remember where we are coming from.
“Some of us ended up in the flats as part of the Group Areas Act, some of us had no place to live. Through hard work, we have ensured that our flats are upgraded and this process will continue until completion.
"Housing remains the biggest issue in our country. We have a reason to be proud. We must remember and we must also recommit to being responsible going forward. I will hold officials accountable for any delays in maintenance issues and issues following the upgrade.
“The Shallcross flats consist of 562 units and the remaining title deeds will be handed over to residents as they become available,” he said.
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