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President Ramaphosa presiding over the presentation of title deeds to claimant groups previously dispossessed of their land rights in the Harry Gwala District municipality in southern KwaZulu-Natal.
The four communities dispossessed of their land rights 50 years ago by the apartheid regime in Umzimkhulu, southern KwaZulu-Natal, say they can finally commemorate Human Rights Day with dignity, following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s officiation at the handover of title deeds on Friday.
17 000 hectares of land was handed back to them.
The four claimant communities are the St Paul Community, the Ngunjini, the Ndzimankulu/Vierkant Community, and the Lawrence Family.
Speaking on behalf of his family, John Lawrence says, “We had to pack up and go. We had nowhere to go. We had cattle on the farm and the cattle went astray. And that’s how it’s been till today. Today feels like I’m dreaming. I am pinching myself to ask myself am I really awake? It is such a joyous day, it takes me back 50 years ago.”
Another beneficiary Mbuso Mdlozini says although they appreciate getting their land back, he’s urging the President to provide them with tools to develop the land.
“This claim was launched in 1998, but we’ve been patiently, waiting because we knew that we are the rightful owners of the land, and we knew that this day would come and it has come. But then being given the land doesn’t mean anything other than dignity, for as long we have not been given the trades of production, the means of trade then it means nothing. Once the president gives us the tools of trade which will ensure that we own the means of production then it would be a good thing for the beneficiaries – the members of the community,” says Mdlozini.
President Ramaphosa speaking in Umzimkhulu, KwaZulu-Natal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz4fsSb9NOw
‘Restoring dignity’
The President has revealed that 2800 beneficiaries will be receiving their title deeds.
The President has described the handover not as a mere exercise, but as a critical act of restoring the dignity that was taken from rightful owners through injustices.
He’s added that it represents a significant, long-awaited milestone for families, marking the resolution of decades-long land claims and signaling a new chapter of development.
Ramaphosa has further highlighted the significant expenditure on land reform, saying that the amount spent on land restitution runs into billions of rand.
Video| President Ramaphosa officiates Title Deed Handover Ceremony in KwaZulu-Natal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2x0hmXxWmuc
