Media Release
26 February 2020
The Free Market Foundation’s Khaya Lam Land Reform project and the Ngwathe Municipality celebrates with 250 families in Phiritona, Free State, as they receive the title deeds to their homes
The Free Market Foundation’s (FMF) Khaya Lam Land Reform Project in partnership with the Ngwathe Municipality is proud to announce that 250 families of Phiritona in the Free State province received the title deeds to their homes today. This is the biggest titling ceremony that has been held in the Free State, bringing the total number of transfers in the province to 2,952.
The title deeds were presented to their rightful owners at a ceremony presided over by the Honourable Executive Mayor of Ngwathe, Ms Joey Mochela. These transfers were made possible through generous support provided by the Swiss-based Rising Tide Foundation (RTF). RTF is committed to sponsoring 1,500 transfers over the period 2018-2021. The 250 titles presented at today’s event form part of this commitment and brings the total number of transfers sponsored by RTF to 750.
Isabelle Hirs, senior programme manager at RTF said, “This is a wonderful moment for all of us – 250 title deeds are being presented to their rightful owners today! What started out for Rising Tide Foundation as a small engagement several years ago has matured into a fantastic project that is receiving recognition not only nationally but also internationally.”
The Khaya Lam project continues to gather momentum and, thanks to the generosity of private donors and working in close conjunction with local municipalities, has transferred, or is in the process of transferring, 9,618 title deeds nationwide. The FMF has also received funds to transfer a further 18,500 title deeds in various municipalities across the country.
FMF director Jasson Urbach said: “Title deeds are important for empowerment and to restore dignity to those who were denied the right to own property under the apartheid regime. The collateral secured through a title deed provides an important tool to leverage working capital and finance that could potentially be used for any beneficial purpose. Title deeds are not only important for creating the environment where an entrepreneurial spirit can thrive but also for securing the ability to create wealth for future generations.”
Private property rights represent the greatest safeguard to personal freedom, they empower individuals in a manner that allows them to change their reality and better their quality of life through market transactions. The Khaya Lam titling ceremonies are always deeply moving events where members of the community come together to celebrate the fact that they can finally say that they own the homes they live in.
The FMF will continue to work with private donors and municipalities across South Africa to ensure that all eligible tenants will receive full freehold title deeds to their homes.
Ends