Residents of Khubvi village outside Thohoyandou are celebrating, after they were given a cheque of more than R2,5 million as compensation for their forceful removal from their land by the former government.

Nearly 50 households each received R54 650 from the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, during a ceremony held at the Khubvi Community Hall on Monday (September 10).

According to the chairperson of Khubvi Land Claim, Mr Humbulanin Ramalata, the community was forcefully removed from the area of Tshigwene, better known as Damani. Initially when the families where removed, the area was used for tea production, but later for banana farming.

"We are happy about the money. We have been waiting since 1998, when we lodged the claim for our land," said Ramalata. Mr Brian Malindi from the Thulamela Municipality, who represented Executive Mayor Tshitereke Matibe, applauded the national government for compensating people who were displaced. "These people were removed without compensation.  We appeal to the beneficiaries to use the money wisely," said Malindi.

Mr Rirhandzu Shilote, a senior manager in the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, said that Minister Gugile Nkwinti had given them a mandate “to prioritize pay-outs to the claimants, especially on state land. In the province we have finalised 80% of the claims, but the 20% left are the most difficult ones," said Malindi. He added that the remaining claims are on highly commercialized agricultural land, which is very expensive to acquire. From 1994 to December 1998, Limpopo received more than 6 000 claims.

Chief Thinawanga Randima said he was over the moon about the compensation. He hailed the committee for a job well done.

One of the recipients, Ms Masindi Ratshilumela, said she would renovate her house and also lay paving. “I am tired of using dung to decorate my home," said the smiling granny. Ms Tshinakaho Tshikovhi said she would build a house with the money and trade her mud house for a modern one. Ms Elisa Mbulaheni said she would use the money to address the educational needs of her children, in order to secure their future.