Long-awaited justice brings joy as uMzimkhulu communities reclaim land Communities in uMzimkhulu have welcomed what they described as a long-awaited moment of justice and restoration, as President Cyril Ramaphosa officially handed over title deeds to land claim beneficiaries on Friday. The handover, which forms part of government’s Land Restitution Programme under the Restitution of Land Rights Act, restores more than 17 000 hectares of land to four claimant groups -- the Ngunjini, Ndzimankulu/Vierkant and St Paul communities, as well as the Lawrence family. For many beneficiaries, the ceremony marked the end of decades of waiting and the beginning of a new chapter. READ | President to hand over title deeds in KwaZulu-Natal Speaking to SAnews ahead of receiving the title deed, Yongama Nyangiwe, representing the Ndzimankulu/Vierkant community, said the day carried deep emotional significance for families, who had fought for recognition of their land rights. “This is the day of good news. We have been waiting for this moment so that the title deeds can be handed over to us, because you can’t say you own the land without a title deed,” he said. Nyangiwe explained that the claim was originally lodged by his late father, a traditional leader, on behalf of the community that had been forcibly removed during apartheid. “Today, the community is overjoyed. We believe we will work together as beneficiaries and embark on projects that will benefit the community in a positive way,” he added. The Ndzimankulu/Vierkant claim traces its origins to the early 20th century, when colonial land systems and later apartheid laws such as the Natives Land Act stripped communities of their customary land rights. Following a detailed investigation, the claim was validated and eventually settled, restoring more than 2 500 hectares of land to 124 households, benefiting 575 people. The settlement includes a package valued at R35 million, alongside development plans and mentorship agreements to support sustainable land use. For the Lawrence family, the restitution process has brought closure to a painful history of forced removals. John Lawrence recalled how his family was displaced decades ago. “My grandparents lived there for more than 70 years, and we were moved from the place 50 years ago. Houses were demolished by big machinery, and everything was destroyed,” he told SAnews . “We even left our belongings behind because we didn’t know where we were going.” He described the handover as a moment of gratitude and healing. “Today is a joyous day. We never thought we would get our land back, but today we have our title deeds. The land is back to us, now we can celebrate,” he said. The Lawrence family claim restores 84.7 hectares to 27 households, benefiting 127 descendants. The land includes sites of historical and cultural importance, such as a church, school and cemetery. Members of the Ngunjini community also expressed optimism that the restored land would bring meaningful development. Sibonisiwe Mgilane said the return of land ownership would help uplift vulnerable households. “Today we are very happy to get back our title deeds. We hope this will benefit the poor people in our community and help develop the whole area. We must be involved in the entire process,” she told SAnews . The Ngunjini claim, which covers more than 6 800 hectares, benefits over 500 people and has already contributed to job creation and community development through forestry partnerships. The settlement, valued at around R80 million, includes direct financial support to households and long-term plans for economic sustainability. The St Paul community, one of the largest beneficiaries, is reclaiming more than 7 600 hectares lost through forced removals between the 1950s and 1960s. The claim affects over 1 400 beneficiaries and has already supported a range of youth development and community upliftment initiatives. Government says the handover is not only about restoring land ownership, but also about rebuilding livelihoods and advancing economic inclusion. Led by Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso, the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development has emphasised the importance of post-settlement support, including development funding and partnerships with industry players to ensure the land remains productive. The ceremony, held during Human Rights Month, underscores the link between land reform and the broader constitutional goal of restoring dignity and equality. As communities celebrate the return of their land, many say the real work now begins, transforming restored land into sustainable opportunities for future generations, while preserving the heritage and identity that was once taken from them. – SAnews.gov.za DikelediM Fri, 03/20/2026 - 12:50 3 views