Housing & Living Conditions, Oct. 21, 2020, 10:20 a.m.

Over 160 title deeds issued to families in the Free State

Author: riaan@wecanchange.co.za

On Wednesday, Capitec Bank, in collaboration with The Free Market Foundation’s (FMF) Khaya Lam a Land Reform project, issued more than 160 title deeds to the community of Kwakwatsi in the Free State.

The bank also provided food parcels to help feed the recipient families.

 

Neptal Khoza, Head of Corporate Social Investment at Capitec, says: “We are passionate about making meaningful contributions to the communities around us. As part of Capitec’s strategy, we make strategic donations towards organisations that make a significant socio-economic impact in communities.”

 

Capitec understands that many South Africans have been impacted financially by COVID-19. This is the first handover in a series of title deed handovers between the bank and FMF.

 

“These title deeds will not only provide families with the security of their own home but also with an investment, which can be used as a platform to grow generational wealth and ultimately help families live better,” says Khoza.

 

The FMF project is an initiative that aims to provide 20 million South Africans with title deeds. Khaya Lam means “My Home” in Zulu and the organisation is making property ownership possible for thousands of families that have never owned a home by helping community members with title deeds to the homes they have bought and stayed in for many years but do not have the deeds for.

FMF President Leon Louw says, “The devastating impact of 1913 land act on black South Africans has not yet been eradicated. Land dispossession and discrimination are justifiably regarded as being the single most racially divisive and economically devastating aspect of the apartheid crime against humanity.”

The FMF team work with various municipalities to receive a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Once the MoU is confirmed, the team communicates with community members through local councillors who invite families to apply.

 

“Through this initiative, beneficiaries now know their homes are secured and can be used to unlock economic activities, leading to wealth creation,” Khoza concludes.