After years of waiting, Monica Pityana can finally say that the house she has called home is legally hers, bringing relief to the elderly resident and securing the property for her grandchildren.
Pityana was among 254 beneficiaries in Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality, Eastern Cape, who received title deeds to their government-subsidised homes in Komani, marking the end of a long wait for formal ownership.
“I am very happy that I finally received my title deed. My patience finally paid off,” an elated Pityana said.
For Pityana, the document means more than proof of ownership. Having lost both her children, she said securing the house was particularly important because her grandchildren will inherit a legally protected family home.
“I had two children, but sadly, they both passed away. I am now left with my grandchildren, and this is their home. Knowing that the house is now legally ours means a lot to me because it will remain in the family,” she said.
The title deeds were handed over by Eastern Cape Human Settlements MEC Siphokazi Lusithi as part of the department’s drive to accelerate the registration and issuing of title deeds to qualifying beneficiaries across the province.
The 254 beneficiaries are recipients of the Queenstown Nomzamo 599 (501) Human Settlements Project, which provided subsidised homes to families in need in Komani.
The beneficiaries were identified through a verification process conducted by the department in partnership with Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality.
Lusithi emphasised that government’s responsibility does not end with providing a house but extends to ensuring that beneficiaries also receive secure legal ownership of their homes.
“This is part of the department’s commitment to restoring people’s dignity through security of tenure, one title deed at a time,” the MEC said.
She added that a title deed is an important family asset that provides security and can benefit generations to come.
For beneficiaries such as Pityana, the handover represents the final step in turning a government-subsidised house into a legally secured family home.
As part of the programme, Lusithi also visited selected elderly beneficiaries at their homes to personally hand over their title deeds. The home visits were followed by a community engagement session and a formal handover ceremony at the community hall.
According to the department, a total of 1 666 title deeds were registered during the 2025/26 financial year, meeting its annual target.
“For the 2026/2027 financial year, the department has set a target of 2 237 title deeds as it continues to intensify registration and handover efforts across the Eastern Cape,” the department said.
For Pityana, the long-awaited document offers certainty about the future of the home she has built her life around.
