Bittersweet victory: Sisters reclaim ancestral land amid financial struggles

It was a bittersweet moment for 83-year-old Juanita Solomon and her 76-year-old sister who finally received the title deed to the 16 plots of land which spans 6.5 acres, taken away from their parents during the Group Area Act.

But with joy, came a form of disappointment after they were issued with property rates amounting in the thousands which were supposed to be rebated under land reform beneficiaries. 

Solomon's parents owned the land 16 plots which spanned 6.5 acres along 11th Avenue and Leytonstone Road in Retreat 80 years ago.

Following an investigation by the Cape Argus, City of Cape's Councillor Siseko Mbandezi, Mayoral Member for Finance said the property rates account would be reversed, stating the land reform beneficiaries cite that heirs be exempted 100% from property rates for a period of ten years.

"The City of Cape Town's Finance Department confirms that the property was registered at the Deeds Office on August 13," he said.

"An updated statement, as well as the resident's monthly statements, will be issued to the resident.

"Accordingly, all property rates billings issued after this date will be reversed. In addition, a rebate will be applied with effect from the date of registration.

"It is important to note that land reform beneficiaries, including their heirs, qualify for a 100% municipal property rates exemption for a period of ten years, commencing from the official date of property title registration.

"Thereafter, a phased-in approach applies, with property rates levied at 75%, then 50%, and then 25% in successive years, before reaching the full rate."

A year ago, Solomon, a former nurse, was accompanied by her grandson, Alfonso Solomon, armed with documents proving their ownership of the land, and sat inside Parliament before the Regional Land Claims Commission.

She shared her heart-wrenching story in tears which was published in the Weekend Argus.

Eleven years ago, the sisters were given hope when the then mayor, Patricia de Lille handed the land back to them, only to have it taken away the very next day following administrative bungles and pressure.

Solomon's father, Isaac Solomon, purchased the land when she was just three weeks old and farmed cattle and vegetables together with his wife and four children.

But when the Group Areas Act came into being, the family was removed from the land and it was sold to the apartheid government.

Now with her title deed in her hand, Solomon said her dreams of living on her father's land almost seemed possible while facing financial challenges: "Although the land was finally returned to us, no support was provided by any government department.

"Despite public promises made by Patricia de Lille when she was Mayor, none of those commitments were fulfilled.

"The City of Cape Town did not even wait a month before they began billing us for rates and taxes, even though we were promised a 10-year rates and taxes exemption.

"We were also promised assistance from a city planner and a project manager, but we received nothing.

"Once again, we feel failed by this process. I am 83 years old, and my sister is 76 (Bernice Kallis). We had hoped to spend our remaining years living peacefully in our own homes on the land our father left to us. "Yet we have heard nothing from Land Restitution or the City of Cape Town regarding any form of assistance or support.

"All we want is to spend our final years on our father's land — the place that carries our history, our memories, and our identity. But without the support we were promised, that dream is slipping away from us once again. We feel forgotten. We feel like we failed. We feel as though our long struggle

In response to the property rates, the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development called for the matter to be reviewed, with family to provide proof. "And we also request the Solomon family to submit a copy of the municipal account or statement (utility bill) to the Legal Unit of the Office of the Regional Land Claims Commissioner: Western Cape, to enable the Office to engage with the City of Cape Town on the matter."

Solomon said their story was one of many that fight for what was rightfully theirs.

"I am sharing this testimony because our story is not just about land — it is about dignity," she added.

Her grandson, Alfonso Solomon added that no support has been given to the family following the transfer. "It is a bittersweet moment, though, as we collectively do not have the funds to build houses and my wish is that the government can provide us with the assistance."

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