Young people are urged to invest in their properties and purchase residential stands rather than relying on inheritance from their deceased parents’ estates.
This message was emphasised during a residents’ meeting organized by the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) in Ward 23, which focused on key issues such as home ownership, property transfers, lease agreements, and handling deceased estates.
During the meeting, Nketa Housing Officer, Simakuhle Mguni, stressed the importance of property ownership for youth, encouraging them to prioritise long-term investments over short-term purchases.
“There are plenty of affordable stands available in the country, including in Rangemore. Young people should focus on acquiring their properties, rather than investing in things like Honda Fit cars, which are prone to accidents,” Mguni said.
She further explained that under current laws, children can only inherit property once both parents have passed away.
“For children to be registered as property owners, both the mother and father must be deceased. When a father dies, the property is transferred to the mother. Only when both parents are gone can the property be passed on to the children,” Mguni clarified.
Mguni debunked the common misconception that children can claim ownership of family property while one parent is still alive.
“The idea that children can take over ownership after the father’s death, while the mother is still living, is not recognized by law,” she added.
One resident supported Mguni’s message, urging parents to encourage their children to invest in their properties during their lifetime to prevent future disputes.
“Children should have their properties so they don’t end up fighting over their parents’ house,” the resident said.
Another resident noted that financial independence among children could prevent the exploitation of parents.
“Anyone over the age of 18 should be on a housing list to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on their parents. As men, we sometimes feel like we’re being sidelined in our own homes, where the children and their mother seem to bond more closely. For example, when children are abroad, it’s often the mother who visits or receives money. As fathers, we also made sacrifices to raise these children, but once they’re grown, they shouldn’t rely on us forever,” he remarked.
He further emphasized the importance of children working for their future, stating, “Children should learn to work for themselves. They should only be registered as property owners once both parents have passed away.”
Residents acknowledged that the issue of deceased estates is a sensitive one and should be handled with care and fairness.
“This is a delicate matter, and we must ensure everyone is treated fairly. As men, it hurts to be widowed, and when we move on with another partner, she should also be treated with respect and not seen as a stranger. She deserves to be considered a part of the family,” another resident concluded.
