The Khaya Lam Land Reform Project, through which 21 000 title deeds have been handed to beneficiaries since the project’s inception more than a decade ago, was honoured with the Bertie Lubner Humanitarian Award during the Investec Jewish Achiever Award function, recognising the remarkable contribution made towards the project’s success. The award was handed to Searle and Lorna Sacks, head of the Free State project.

Khaya Lam, meaning my home, was initiated by the Free Market Foundation (FMF) in 2010, aimed at ensuring that tenants of the state (primarily municipalities) were aided in becoming outright owners. The first title deed handover took place in 2013.

By January 2023, Khaya Lam had transferred 10 000 deeds – an average of 1 000 transfers per year since 2013, or 83 transfers per month. By the end of July, 19 750 transfers had been completed – an average of 325 transfers per month since February 2023.

The late Perry Feldman and his wife, Veronica, who were residents of Parys, for years dedicated their time towards the project.

After Perry died in 2021, Searle and Lorna Sacks headed the Free State project.

Searle and Lorna thanked all sponsors and stakeholders involved with the project on behalf of the 21 000 former municipal tenants who now finally can call their houses home. He added that Khaya Lam’s success can be credited to a dedicated team, municipalities, and those who contributed financially towards the project.