Our House - Our Home - Our Own

On 10 October 2024, the Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, along with Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dr Annelie Rabie and other councillors and municipal officials, handed out 82 title deeds to residents of the Gansbaai-Stanford area. This included 69 beneficiaries in Blompark, Gansbaai, seven in Pearly Beach, and six beneficiaries in Stanford. The housing development projects in Blompark and Stanford are still ongoing and will deliver more housing opportunities to beneficiaries in the area.

The development in Blompark is planned to deliver 539 housing units, of which 400 units were completed and handed over during the 2021/22 (100 units), 2022/23 (150 units) and 2023/24 (150 units) financial years. Of the 400 completed units, eight units were built and allocated to qualifying disabled beneficiaries. The construction of the final 139 units will commence in the 2025/26 financial year.

At the housing development in Stanford, with a total of 621 units, 100 units were completed in the 2023/24 financial year, 200 units were completed earlier this year, with another 250 units expected to be completed in March 2025. To date, 209 housing units have been handed over to beneficiaries.

Minister Simmer was very excited to be part of the handover ceremony and said, “Many of the recipients here today have been waiting many years for this process to come full circle, and I am pleased to be part of this significant moment. I look forward to when we return to the Overstrand soon when there will be more housing opportunities to deliver to qualifying beneficiaries.” He thanked the community, especially those who have been waiting for their title deeds for over 20 years, for their patience. Minister Simmers pointed out that this moment serves as a beacon of hope for others still on the waiting list and a reminder that good things come in due time - today is your 'time'.

In her address, Mayor Rabie encouraged homeowners to take pride in their properties and to address maintenance issues, such as broken shutters or leaking taps, as soon as they occur. She reminded everyone that home ownership comes with certain responsibilities, including the prompt payment of municipal accounts. The Mayor also advised beneficiaries to think carefully before selling the key to their houses, as this could result in them becoming backyard dwellers once more. In conclusion, Mayor Rabie stressed the importance of having a will, explaining that it ensures assets are passed on to chosen family members.

(Pictures: Riana Steenekamp, Assistant Media & Social Media Liaison Officer)

Overstrand Municipality