Johannesburg – More than 2000 residents of Kanana Section in Hammanskraal were on handed title deeds on Saturday.

“I want you to regard this piece of paper as another step towards your total emancipation and economic freedom, it must be kept in a safe place as proof of ownership,” Tshwane mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa said in a speech prepared for delivery.

He was accompanied by the deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Elizabeth Thabethe.

He further announced the development of a central business district in the Temba area.

Ramokgopa said the work which started in 2008 was bearing fruits.

Thabete congratulated the move to develop a town centre in the area.

She said the establishment of a bigger development node in Hammanskraal was long overdue.

“As the department of trade, we will support SMME [small, medium and micro-sized enterprises] development, supplier support, investment promotion and incentives for anyone who wants to bring money and keep jobs in Hammanskraal,” she said.

The City of Tshwane has recently purchased the former University of Pretoria land in Hammanskraal for the purposes of releasing it for private retail development projects aimed at resuscitating the economy of the area which has been in the decline in the last 15 years.

SAPA