By BAKANG MOKOTO
5 August 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, visited beneficiaries of the Jacksonville 139 Housing Project in Jacksonville, near Kimberley today. This follows the handing over of 15 houses to these beneficiaries on 25 July 2025.
Vass said the courtesy visit was to make sure that the beneficiaries have settled in and are happy with their houses. He further said the visit was also to hand over title deeds to the beneficiaries and confirm that they are the rightful owners of these houses.
“This is a follow up visit to these beneficiaries to ascertain that a few days since we handed them their keys, they are still happy and have moved into their new houses. Furthermore, I came today, to personally hand over their title deeds, which is a crucial legal document that proves that they are the rightful owners of these properties.
“The title deed also protects your rights and contributes to the economic upliftment by enabling individuals to leverage their properties for various financial and developmental opportunities,” he said.
Vass added that his department hands over the houses as soon as they are completed to avoid vandalism and to ensure that the beneficiaries take ownership of their houses immediately, while work commences to finish outstanding houses.
Meanwhile, a beneficiary, Andries Zeekoie (63), said he waited long for the house and is eternally grateful to the government for restoring his dignity and ensuring shelter for his family.
The Guardian 