POLOKWANE – Kgaugelo Malebana (62), a retired temporary worker, finally received the title deed to her RDP house in Extension 133, Polokwane, six years after it was first awarded to her.

The title deed was handed over by the Minister of Human Settlements and former Polokwane mayor, Thembi Simelane, during a ceremony that formed part of her department’s national Title Deeds Friday Campaign.

Malebana expressed mixed emotions about the milestone, raising concerns over basic service delivery in her area.

She told the minister that while she appreciated finally owning her home, a lack of water and electricity in her yard and surrounding homes makes it difficult to celebrate fully.

“Electricity and municipal rates are very expensive. I am retired and not working. If these services remain unaffordable or unavailable, I may be forced to sell,” she said frankly.

The handover formed part of a two-day oversight visit by the Minister and her deputy, Tandi Mahambehlala, to assess Limpopo’s progress in delivering sustainable human settlements and achieving national 2025/26 targets.

Simelane was joined by Human Settlements MECs from other provinces and local executive mayors.

The campaign specifically focused on handing over title deeds to senior citizens between 60 and 70 years old in honour of Women’s Month.

Simelane urged beneficiaries not to sell their properties, warning that this has been a common issue with RDP housing programmes. “These homes are assets that must be protected and passed on to future generations,” she said.