Cowdray Park residents receive first batch of title deeds

The first batch of 200 offer letters has been issued to residents of Cowdray Park, marking a major milestone in the Government's Hlalani Kuhle/Garikai housing project, aimed at providing security of tenure and property ownership to citizens in Zimbabwe's largest suburb.

The initiative, part of the Kwangu/Ngakwami Presidential Title Deeds Programme, launched by President Mnangagwa in April 2025, seeks to accelerate the issuance of title deeds across residential areas nationwide. Once complete, approximately 15 000 Cowdray Park residents will benefit from the programme, which forms the first phase towards full title deed allocation.

The programme is being implemented in distinct phases. Phase one targets well-planned areas that currently lack title deeds, while phase two focuses on regularising informal settlements. In April, over 7 000 title deeds were issued to homeowners in Epworth, Chitungwiza, Southlea Park and Glenwood in Harare.

At Cowdray Park, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, handed over the first 200 offer letters in a ceremony attended by residents and local officials.

"We are here today to celebrate and formalise the roll-out of the Cowdray Park Kwangu-Ngakwami Title Deed Programme, a key milestone in housing delivery. Under this vision, housing development is one of the 14 priority areas under the Infrastructure Development Pillar," said Prof Ncube.

He noted that the Government has surpassed its target of building 220 000 houses by 2030 through public-private partnership arrangements and highlighted the Zimbabwe National Human Settlements Policy, launched in 2021, which prioritises land delivery for urban and rural housing, formalisation of settlements, and provision of basic services such as water, sewerage, roads, and electricity.

"The Cowdray Park programme is a milestone achievement that formally makes residents bonafide property owners. Informal settlements are being regularised, and title deeds are being issued to long-standing municipal tenants and beneficiaries of government housing schemes," said Prof Ncube.

He further stated that Cowdray Park, a well-planned, surveyed, and partially serviced settlement, will benefit from upgrades to roads, water, and sewer infrastructure, with work expected to commence by January 2026.

In a speech read on his behalf, Bulawayo Mayor Councillor David Coltart acknowledged the suburb's challenges in service delivery, particularly within the Hlalani Kuhle/Garikai area, which was established in 2005 under a self-help scheme.

"The suburb has long presented challenges for basic services. Central Government's intervention under the Kwangu/Ngakwami Presidential Title Deeds Programme provides the financial backing to address these needs," said Clr Coltart.

"US$33 million is required to fully resolve service delivery issues, and we call on residents to embrace the programme as it will transform Cowdray Park into a fully serviced, modern suburb."

The Kwangu/Ngakwami Presidential Title Deeds Programme forms part of the Government's broader vision to ensure secure land tenure, stimulate development, and improve living standards across urban and rural areas in Zimbabwe.