- Zimbabwe’s Presidential Title Deeds Programme, launched in 2023, aims to grant secure home ownership to families in informal settlements.
- The program, known as Kwangu/Ngakwami, was initially launched at Epworth High School.
- President Mnangagwa handed out 265 securitised deeds of grant during the program’s inception.
- The initiative is now facing a slow rollout, raising concerns about the potential for exploitation by land barons.
The ambitious program was designed to empower vulnerable communities by formalizing their land tenure, providing legal protection and stability. However, the pace of implementation has been a point of contention. Critics fear that delays in processing and distributing the deeds could leave residents exposed to opportunistic land barons, undermining the very purpose of the program.
The government has emphasized its commitment to eradicating informal settlements and regularizing housing, aiming to improve living conditions and property rights across the nation. The success of the Kwangu/Ngakwami program is seen as crucial for the administration’s broader development agenda.
Timeline
- February 2, 2026, afternoon: News reports highlight the slow rollout of the Presidential Title Deeds Programme and fears of land barons.
- 2023: President Mnangagwa officially launched the Kwangu/Ngakwami Presidential Title Deeds Programme.
- 2023: 265 securitised deeds of grant were initially distributed at Epworth High School.
Key Players
- President Emmerson Mnangagwa: Initiator of the Presidential Title Deeds Programme.
- Families in Epworth: Beneficiaries of the land deeds program.
- Land barons: Individuals feared to exploit delays in the program’s rollout.
