Minister Simmers issues title deeds to Hope Cape Town

Western Cape Department of Infrastructure and Hope Cape Town’s journey comes full circle with title deed handover and book donation

On Tuesday, 24 October 2023, the journey of the Department of Infrastructure and Hope Cape Town came full circle at their title deed handover ceremony. The provincial Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, issued the institution with their title deeds making them the outright owners of the property.

In 2019 upon request, the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements - now a branch within the Department of Infrastructure - sold a portion of land in Delft to Hope Cape Town. The community-based outreach organisation needed land where they could develop a facility that would be able to accommodate its service offering and beneficiaries. A year later, Minister Simmers officiated the sod turning to mark the commencement of construction.

Over the years the facility has become a beacon of hope for many citizens in the area. The organisation has assisted many individuals and families in fulfilling their potential. CEO of Hope Cape Town, Dr. Izane Reyneke, described the transition since moving to the property as an unbelievable one. “When we first dreamt of having our campus, we never thought it would grow to this stature. The facility and our offerings have expanded far beyond our expectations.”

“There were challenges during the early phase of construction as we had commenced on the eve of Covid-19 lockdowns. However, today all of that is history. This moment empowers the organisation and will open new doors for us to continue to uplift individuals and communities” she added.

The title deed signifies the Western Cape Government's commitment to ensure the security of tenure not only for individuals but also for organisations that play a key part in the upliftment of communities is provided for.

However, Minister Simmers came bearing more than a title deed, as he donated 46 books worth R15 000, which he had collected over the years, to Hope Cape Town. These will be added to the organisation’s library inventory.

In remarking on the event and milestone between the two entities, Minister Simmers said, “It gives me great pleasure that Hope Cape Town, now becomes one of the 27 000 title deed beneficiaries of the WCG since 2019. Indeed, our relationship with the organisation has come full circle from the time they requested permission to make use of the land they had identified to now being the rightful owners of the property. Part of our land reform strategy is to redistribute portions of land that are adequate and will be of use to the beneficiary. In this case, it is quite clear that it was the correct decision, as the organisation reinvested in the property and an entire community gets to benefit from that.”

“A part of creating a better future is to make sure that those who will inherit the future, have a solid foundation. Currently, our children and youth are faced with the challenge of illiteracy, and it requires interventions by all sectors. It is through the efforts of all stakeholders that we can encourage our children to read and combat illiteracy” concluded Minister Simmers.