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A TOTAL of 224 Atamelang residents received title deeds from the provincial government.

Premier Supra Mahumapelo and local development and human settlements MEC Fenny Gaolaolwe handed over the title deeds to ecstatic residents on Tuesday.

Mahumapelo said they would continue to improve the lives of the people, especially those in rural areas. He said the government reached an agreement to hand over houses, even those built during the Bophuthatswana era, to those who occupied them but had no
title deeds.

Mahumapelo said: “We want to improve the lives of people, especially from the far-flung areas. The initiative is part of the villages, townships and small towns project. Our people were living in abject poverty and paying rent on those houses.

“They have spent more than 38 years staying in those houses without title deeds. Now we want to make their dreams possible. However, there is a concern because some of the houses were roofed with asbestos. We will look into that matter and come up with a strategic plan in changing the roofing.”

Gaolaolwe said her department would continue to deliver title deeds across the province.

She said: “We need to make sure that our people have roofs over their heads. We took a decision as an ANC led government that we will hand over their title deeds without charging them.

“It would be inappropriate to sell those houses to them because they have been renting them for so long. We also urge those who benefited to take care of the houses. They must
not be deceived by anyone because we know people masquerade as lawyers and eventually steal from the poor.”

Gaolaolwe said more would be done across the province and a community hall in Atamelang would soon be revamped as well.

Beneficiary Ramogotsi Andries Tlhale said: “I cannot express how I feel. I have been occupying this house for so long and never knew what would happen.

“Now I will sleep peacefully knowing that the house belongs to me. ”

Another resident, Johannah Sikhosana, said the government was trying its best to improve the lives of the masses.

-TDN

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