Finally calling house a home at the age of 106
The Khaya Lam Land Reform Project was initiated by the 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.
The Free Market Foundation (FMF)’s Khaya Lam Land Reform Project hosted five title deed ceremonies in the Free State last week, ensuring that 381 tenant families received their title deeds and became recognised homeowners. Among the beneficiaries is 106-year-old Nontsomi Sannah Jilimba, who was born on July 15, 1919.
“Mrs Jilimba walked into the hall unaided, ready to receive security for her property,” says Searle Sacks, Free State Manager of Khaya Lam. “She is now secure in the knowledge that she and her family can call their house ‘khaya lam’ – my home.”
Most of the other attendees at the Tshepahalo Hall event in Rammulotsi in Viljoenskroon were over the age of 70.
“This is the most joyous moment I have had working with Khaya Lam,” says Sacks.
These five events occurred between August 12 and 15.
On August 12, 86 deeds were sponsored by the Reinet Foundation and Weco in Mokwallo, Vredefort.
On August 14, three events were held in Tumahole, Parys, sponsored by BetterLife, the Reinet Foundation, Remgro, Absa, and FNB Philanthropy. A total of 111 deeds were handed over.
On August 15, a further 184 deeds were handed over in Rammulotsi, Viljoenskroon, sponsored by IPIC, the Reinet Foundation, and Weco.
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.
