After a lifetime of waiting, a Pietermaritzburg family has finally received their title deed, 35 years after their grandfather, who built the home, died.
Ntokozo Mabizela was just three years old when her grandfather Thulasizwe Mabizela died.
He had fled with his family to Sobantu to escape the violence engulfing parts of the province in the mid-1980s and built the family home in the small township.
Since then, the family has faced an epic battle across generations to secure a title deed to the property.
Her grandfather eventually died and Mabizela’s mum continued the struggle to acquire the ownership document.
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On Tuesday, the Mabizela family gathered at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall, together with other recipients, to receive their title deeds from the Department of Human Settlements and Public Works.
“My family has been fighting this battle since before I was born. My grandfather lived here, and he died more than 30 years ago still fighting to get that site in his name,” said Mabizela.
“I have been living here with my kids. We have tried to get this house in my name for many years. It is very scary living in a place that you do not own because you never know when it can be taken from you.
My mother tried and gave up along the way and I took it upon myself to make sure that we get this house in my name so that my kids do not grow up having the same fears as I
“I am so happy and I am sure that wherever my grandfather is, he is just as happy as I am,” Mabizela added.
MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works Sipho Nkosi said the latest round of providing home owners with their title deeds restored rightful ownership to the recipients.
“We are here to ensure that the rightful people in our province, the houses we have built for them, the land those houses have been built on, belongs to them and that no one could ever [disturb] them while they live there,” said Nkosi, adding that KZN was ranked among the top performing provinces for ensuring title deeds were issued to legitimate home owners.
Bombay Heights pensioner Rasmati Beharie (77) attended the event with her son Rookesh Beharie, relieved that she finally received the title deed to their home.
My health has not been good. It has been declining for a long time. Not having this title deed has been so stressful and the stress has impacted my health as well
“I know that I am not going to live for long, but I am happy that I will at least leave something for my son when I am gone,” said Beharie.
Beharie’s son, Rookesh, said that Tuesday’s title deed handover was of immense importance to the family.
It has been a constant battle. We would come here, and they would tell us that there are certain documents that are missing.
“We would leave and plan to go another day only to not have transport on that day because my mom is wheelchair-bound. But we are happy that we have finally received the deed,” said Rookesh.
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MEC Nkosi also announced that the department will be conducting a site visit to land in the vicinity of Mayor’s Walk earmarked for RDP housing.
