A total of 50 families have received their title deeds for their homes in Phiri as part of the City of Johannesburg’s programme to address the issue of two-roomed dwellings in the area.
On Friday 14 February 2025, Valentine’s Day, Thabitha Benice Mofokeng, 73, finally received the best gift after years of waiting. She was the first among the 50 recipients to receive their title deeds at Phiri Community Hall in Soweto.
An emotional Mofokeng walked slowly to the front to receive her title deed from the City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor Dada Morero and MMC of Human Settlements Mlungisi Mabaso.
“I am so happy today to receive my title deed after such a long time waiting for this moment. I have struggled with my mother for years until she died without realising this dream. It is going to change our lives as a family,” said Mofokeng.
Mofokeng lives with her seven grandchildren at her home. There are 600 units made of two rooms in Phiri. A four-roomed house was divided into two to accommodate two families. The Department of Human Settlements has now converted the two rooms into a complete four-roomed home for one family.
If one of the two families agrees to move out then the remaining family takes over the converted property and receives a title deeds. The two families living in the same property must negotiate and agree as to who is willing to move out. After reaching the agreement, the family that is willing to move out is allocated a new RDP unit at the Fleurhof development as per council resolution.
MMC Mabaso congratulated the beneficiaries as they received their title deeds.
“We are delighted to come here and confirm our commitment that we have made before that the problem of two rooms would be sorted out…What is important to us is for the City to be able to succeed in its efforts to transform people’s lives.
“Our commitment to this community remains. We will make the living conditions of the people living in two rooms dignified. We are affirming that commitment with the issuing of the title deeds today.”
Executive Mayor Morero congratulated the beneficiaries for receiving their title deeds, which will add value to their lives and that of their children.
“We are not done. We are still going to Braamfischerville and other places to give them title deeds so that people can have their dignity and say today I have a title deed. All I can say is that I wish you luck and success. Please take care of your properties. If you get some little cash, put some tiles there,” said Morero.