[GALLERY + VIDEO]: Councillor Van Wyk gives title deeds

THE MMC for Housing, councillor Meshack van Wyk, handed over title deeds to elderly people as beneficiaries of South Hills’ project on October 15.

The previous time van Wyk visited South Hills he gave away 38 titles deeds and he then promised to come back again to give deeds to other beneficiaries, and he lived up to his promise.

Van Wyk said a total of 6 204 units are expected to be completed, but for now 408 have been completed.

“The project comprises RDP units, bonded rental units, community residential units and affordable social housing units. This development also recently won the Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Award at United Nations 14th Annual Session of the Global Forum on Human Settlements,” said van Wyk.

The lucky beneficiaries are those who applied for housing back in 1996. This handover of title deeds is seen as restoring communities’ dignity.

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Some of the beneficiaries used to reside on the streets while some depended on shelters to survive.

Van Wyk urged the beneficiaries to take good care of their title deeds and avoid loan-sharks because the beneficiaries will end up losing their title deeds in such deals.

“We are still going to come back and give more title deeds. This is not the end of it. It makes me happy to see an elderly smiling because of the hard work one did that shows blessings are on the way,” added van Wyk.

People from different communities came in numbers to applaud for the beneficiaries and even ward councilors came through.

One of the beneficiaries, Robert Nkayi, said he’s so excited to finally own a house which he calls home.

“I used to live in Booysens informal settlement and today I own a brick house; it’s a feeling which comes once in your life. I’m very grateful thanks to everyone who made sure I get the unit,” said Nkayi.

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