Rehoboth Alienation Scheme beneficiaries take ownership of homes after 46 years

Rehoboth Block E Alienation Scheme beneficiaries have taken ownership of their properties after waiting 46 years.

The Rehoboth Town Council handed over 609 properties to the beneficiaries at Block E’s Vrede Boom on Thursday.

Councillor Jacky Khariseb said history was made for the town’s residents, who finally became homeowners after decades of waiting.

He said residents will be issued with the title deeds of their properties.

“The Rehoboth Town Council has implemented the alienation scheme at the town’s Block E, allowing residents to become homeowners of the houses they have lived in since 1978. Rehoboth residents in Block E can now own the houses they have been living in for many years. This initiative was greatly inspired by late president Hage Geingob,” said Khariseb.

“He told me once that something must be done to improve Block E, as nothing is happening [there].”

Khariseb said the handover took so long due to historical factors at the town, where residents were forcibly moved from Block D to Block E, and provided with houses owned by the town council.

“The town was unable to benefit from the alienation programme in the past. In those years, the government refused to make people homeowners, but today it has become possible. Today is surely a joyous day,” he said.

Urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni said the government’s initiative symbolised the end of a challenging chapter in the town’s history.

“The government is really working hard for its people. The government wants to restore the dignity of residents. Namibia, together we must work hard to create a Namibia where everyone has a place called home. This is an event that has been long awaited by the community of Rehoboth. Today we have won, and this indicates that we are proud fighters,” Uutoni said.

He urged all homeowners to pay their debts on time and noted that all properties will have prepaid electricity and water meters.

“All homeowners will start with clean accounts. All the debts have been written off,” he said.

Rehoboth mayor Amanda Groenewaldt said the success of the initiative was due to a collective effort, showcasing hard work, dedication and commitment.

“This historic day was made possible by all the stakeholders. This is a milestone and indicates that if we join hands, anything is possible. I am confident that we will continue to grow and make Rehoboth a better town. We at the council are determined to achieve all our goals. We are looking forward to more development and growth at our town,” Groenewaldt added.