Long wait for title deeds ends for five Korsten families
YEARS of waiting came to an end yesterday for five families in Korsten, who received title deeds to their houses.
The Korsten residents are among 1 000 Nelson Mandela Bay families who have been identified to receive title deeds since the municipality started addressing the backlog.
A further 11 000 still need to be located and identified before receiving their deeds.
Jonathan Atwell could not contain his excitement as he received his document yesterday from mayor Athol Trollip as part of the municipality’s tittle deed rectification programme.
“I cannot express how excited I am to finally get my title deed,” he said.
“My mother used to worry about it when she was alive, and now I have finally received it.
“Now I can also stop worrying, knowing that my house will be passed on to my children and to their children,” he said.
Atwell was one of hundreds of families who built shacks in the street after being relocated during forced removals.
Trollip said yesterday’s handover was part of the municipality’s drive to deliver houses, along with keys and a title deed.
“This programme was started by the previous administration in 2004, but the job was not done.
“We want to hand over these title deeds because we know the importance of owning a house to a family,” Trollip said.
“We know that when people don’t own something they don’t protect it.
“We hope that these title deeds will encourage you to protect your home and transfer the house to your children, so they transfer it to their children,” he said.
Korsten resident Donovan Plaatjies said finally having officially documented ownership of his house was a dream come true.
“My biggest worry during the years was what would happen if I died.
“Anyone could come and take this house away from my two children.
“This title deed will give us security and peace of mind,” he said.