Praising ancestors was at the order of the day at the Tshwane Events Centre on Saturday morning.

People came from various parts of Gauteng as the deputy minister of rural development and land reform as well as other government officials handed over millions of rand and title deeds to land claimants.

The event was special and all families finally found peace.

The minister of rural development and land reform Gugile Nkwinti was not present due to family commitments.

More than R50 million of financial compensation was given to families, individuals and communities from the Pretoria area who were dispossessed of land during the apartheids era.

The claimants had their rights for land restored, after they successfully lodged land claims with the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights, during the initial lodging period that ended 31 December 1998.

Other families who were successful in restoring their land were financially compensated. They are the Skosana and Mthimunye families as well as the Kafferskraal and Vygeboschlaagte communities.

A total of 23 title deeds was handed over to beneficiaries that opted for land restoration and an amount to the value of R50 641 545.96 was officially handed to the families and communities that opted for financial compensation.

The deputy minister of rural development and land reform, Mcebisi Skwatsha said the process was not easy and took time because they wanted to make sure the land and financial compensation went to the rightful owners.

The office currently still has outstanding land claims lodged mainly in the Tshwane metro area.

“We are working around the clock to satisfy all the families,” said Skwatsha.

Families who received the title deeds and who were financially compensated were very happy.