BUSHBUCKRIDGE – After lengthy negotiations that involved a court case, the N’wandlamhari Community Property Association (CPA) in Lilydale are officially the owners of 65 000 ha of land which includes the Mala Mala Game Reserve, measuring 13 184 hectare.-

During the official title deed handover by President Jacob Zuma, hope was restored to community members of the poverty stricken village. Zuma said that it was a good sign that the occasion coincided with the 102 years celebration of the birth of the ANC, the party which prioritises the restoration of the people’s dignity by giving them their land back.-

“”What a beautiful coincidence! We are here celebrating the return of your land, a day after the birthday of a party which fought tooth and nail for repossession of land and power to rule”” he said during his keynote address.-

The CPA had lodged claims on 21 properties, to which the current owners considered a settlement amount of R939, 360 000 , close to a billion rand, for the purchase of the land.

“” I am pleased to note that the current land owners of Mala Mala have accepted the validity of the claim and have not declared any dispute about the merits of the claim”” continued the president.

He added that the success of the claims would bring hope to the community, which he acknowledged had the majority of claimants living in ‘abject poverty’.

The current owners would rent the property for R700 000 a month until January 2015 and they would be involved in a partnership to assist and transfer skills to the new beneficiaries to further sustain the business.

Chairperson of the CPA,Mr Perry Sambo appreciated the claimants for their patience after a long wait to acquiring land that belongs to them.

“”As a community,we are excited about this handing over and we know that the ball is now in our court to ensure that the project becomes a success,create jobs and alleviate poverty,”” he said.