There were smiles and celebrations in the North West this week as families in Ventersdorp received the keys to brand-new homes and beneficiaries in Maquassi Hills were handed the title deeds that make them property owners at last.
Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, accompanied by North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs Gaoage Molapisi and local mayors, handed over the houses during a two-day visit to the province focused on housing delivery and engaging communities on human settlements programmes.
2 500 new homes on the way
The Ventersdorp handover forms part of a housing project expected to deliver 2 500 units by October 2026 – a development that will transform the lives of thousands of residents.
“We promised people that we will finish the houses on time, and we should keep that promise,” Simelane said, underlining government’s commitment to delivering for communities.
Title Deeds Fridays turn tenants into owners
In the Maquassi Hills Local Municipality, the delegation handed over title deeds to beneficiaries under the Title Deeds Fridays campaign – a drive to give homeowners the legal proof of ownership that unlocks real economic power.
The North West government aims to transfer 2 450 title deeds to qualifying beneficiaries during the 2026/27 financial year.
Simelane said the transfer of title deeds remains essential to restoring dignity, providing security of tenure and promoting economic inclusion. A title deed means a family’s home can be passed to their children, used as security, and stands as a permanent asset – turning a house into generational wealth.
Funding lined up to accelerate delivery
MEC Molapisi said funding allocated to the province through the Human Settlements Development Grant and the Informal Settlements Upgrading Partnership Grant will be used to accelerate housing delivery and improve living conditions for communities in need across the province.
Simelane added that government remains committed to directing resources towards the programmes with the greatest social impact – and for the new homeowners of Ventersdorp and Maquassi Hills, that impact is already a lived reality: a front door of their own, and a piece of paper that says this is mine.
The handovers were reported by SAnews.gov.za.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
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