Media release
12 March 2021
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On 11 March the Free Market Foundation's (FMF)
Khaya Lam (My Home) Land Reform Project changed another 68 lives for the better in Edenville, Ngwathe municipality in the Free State.
Betterbond has sponsored a second tranche of full title deeds with a further 92 deeds to be ready by July.
This is a genuine community project made possible by a public and private partnership to bring economic upliftment to a highly impoverished town by creating new home owners and injecting capital wealth into the community.
The ceremony took place at the Dutch Reformed Church, with each recipient receiving a bucket of groceries to celebrate their title deed. One beneficiary, 84-year old Mrs L Mohoana, never gave up that one day she’d be a home owner. It is with regret that only 10 deeds were presented during the ceremony as Covid-19 protocols had to be observed. The remaining 58 beneficiaries will receive their title deeds at the council offices.
Dignitaries included Chris Hattingh, Deputy Director of the Free Market Foundation, Carl Coetzee, CEO of Betterbond, and the Mayor of Ngwathe municipality, Joey Mochela.
Carl Coetzee from Betterbond said they are honoured to continue to be playing a part in improving the lives of another 68 families in the Ngwathe, Edenville community.
"The Khaya Lam project is very close to our hearts and we feel privileged to be part of such an amazing initiative. Changing lives and making dreams come true – one home at a time – is what Betterbond is all about and it is why we do what we do. We look forward to helping this community and many others like it across South Africa, to hold title deeds to their property in their hands," he said.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Chris Hattingh said the recognition of property rights is a crucial ingredient for any society to achieve some level of prosperity. Property rights have formed part of every tribe, every culture, every community, in some form, throughout the centuries.
"The house that you have been living in as a tenant, in many cases for generations of your family, is now finally yours, truly your home. And as you go home after this event you will hold your head up high with an overwhelming sense of pride. For me, being part of the FMF and projects such as Khaya Lam, means getting to enjoy being a part of your lives, it means we are all busy making South Africa into the kind of country we want, where everyone’s dignity and agency is recognised," he said.
Mayor Joey Mochela said: "We appreciate the Free Market Foundation and Khaya Lam for the good it is doing in the community. And not only has Betterbond given the beneficiaries a title deed, but also given them a hamper of food to make some meals. What could be better?"
The Khaya Lam (My Home) Land Reform Project facilitates the transfer of freehold title deeds. Home ownership and a tradeable title leads to greater economic activity and a revitalisation of our country's economy. The Khaya Lam initiative has completed over 10,500 title deeds, and has funding for a further 23,500.
For over 40 years, the FMF has championed the cause of converting the various forms of apartheid title found in the townships to full, unambiguous ownership for the current tenants.
Ends
