Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality hands over 500 title deeds to Walmer residents

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, through its Human Settlements Department, on Thursday handed over 500 title deeds to Walmer residents in Port Elizabeth.

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality MMC for Human Settlements, Andile Mfunda, who led the hand over event, said that the exercise was meant to restore dignity to local residents - especially the elderly.

A beneficiary, 89-year-old Tonie Tjantjies of Walmer Gqebera township, could not hide his joy for finally having proof of ownership for his government subsidised home -  also called an RDP house.

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality spokesperson, Mthubanzi Mniki, said that the tittle deeds "will not only guarantee ownership, but will also go a long way in bringing dignity to the elderly and secure a future for their family."

Tjantjies cried when MMC Mfunda handed him his title deed.

"I could not have asked for a more suitable 90th birthday than this one. All my life I have lived a life of rental and shacks. I have never owned a property that is truly and legally mine. Even when my last day comes, I will rest peace knowing that my dignity has been restored," said Tjantjies.

Title deeds to Walmer residents just the beginning 

More than 500 title deeds were handed over in Walmer with more still to be handed over in other areas of the Nelson Mandela Bay.

According to MMC Mfunda, handing over the title deeds touches his heart.

"For so many years, our parents have been subjected to inhumane conditions where they have been moving from shack to shack or on rental houses," said Cllr Mfunda.

"This is one programme that talks to the fibre of our society, dignity and respect. We will accelerate these handovers so that by Christmas people can proudly say they are legally spending their Christmas in their houses."

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