Steve-Mr. Real Estate Silomba

18/05/2026

POV: You came for the house… stayed for the kitchen 😄🔥

Not for sale 😅 just appreciating good design.

Rate this kitchen out of 10 👇🏾

31/03/2026

The President & Land Issues
By Dickson Jere

Yesterday, President Hakainde Hichilema spoke candidly about the problems afflicting land issues in Zambia and called for a meeting this week with the leaders at the Ministry of Lands at State House. He said the “coffee” meeting is aimed at addressing some issues affecting the ministry in the management of land.

I like that take by the President. He seems to understand the situation at lands. I have also noticed that the Minister of Lands Hon Sylvia Masebo and Commissioner of Lands Mbewe have been working tirelessly to resolve the issues. The problem appears big because even the staff seems to be involved in some of the impropriety in land management or mismanagement.

My little contribution to the discourse is as follows;

1. The Ministry of Lands should avoid or stop reentry on undeveloped land especially those on title deeds and belonging to Zambians. Most people work hard to acquire these pieces of land including borrowing and therefore it is unfair to takeaway the land on the grounds that they did not develop on it. It is not easy to develop the land without access to financing. So, reentry must be stopped Mr. President. No one abandon land! So long as one pays ground rent to government - that is OK.

2. Undeveloped and occupied land should instead attract higher ground rent. This is only way you can make people find ways of utilizing and developing the land. But then government will still make money from these ground rent.

3. We should also realize that land is an investment. Some people purchase land for future use or indeed to keep money. They can later resale the land at higher price as land gains value everyday. We cannot stop this commerce!

4. Some families I know do subdivide land into smaller portions and then get individual titles. Some of these may be gifted to their children who will eventually get titles in their names when they get old. Nothing wrong with this. But should such land be taken away if not developed.

5. We need to have permanent and full time Judges at the Lands Tribunal. This forum was meant to fasttract land disputes resolutions unlike ordinary Courts. But cases take too long. Land disputes require quick resolutions so that developers can get on the ground.

You see, this concept that land must be developed started in 1975 by founding President Kenneth Kaunda. He believed that “land has no value” and therefore you can only sell the development on the land. That is an outdated concept of land. Land has value and therefore should be taken away easily.

When I get into Parliament this year, these are the issues I intend to tackle by way of land reforms in legislation. We are still being governed by archaic laws that do not match the present economic realities.

17/03/2026

Always Document Land Transactions - Court
By Dickson Jere

Two friends. One worked for National Housing Authority (NHA). The other one wanted to buy a house from NHA and decided to use his friend to buy it for him since he was an employee and therefore easy to get the offer. He provided the funds and the house was bought but under his friend’s name. The house was then put on rent and the rentals were remitted to a company owned by the friend.

After a while, his friend decided to sell the house since it was in his name. He did not consult the owner and the transaction went smooth. However, the purported owner of the house discovered the sale. He was livid!

He sued in the High Court and claimed ownership of the property saying his friend was merely holding the property in “trust” for him as he paid for it. The Judge heard the case and ruled that indeed he was the owner and his friend was holding onto the property in trust. The sale was, consequently, canceled and the house given back to the ‘owner’.

Unhappy, the friend appealed.

The Court of Appeal Judges heard the case and reversed the High Court decision. They opined that the friend did not provide documents to show that he actually paid for the house through his friend. The receipts were all in the name of the NHA employee and the two did not sign any documents.

Dissatisfied, the other friend appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that he paid for the money and the friend was merely holding the property in trust. Witnesses actually testified in his favor but without any documentary evidence.

Three Judges of the Supreme Court determined the case thus;
“A case may either be proved orally or through documentary evidence or both,” the Judges said.

However, some cases such as present one required that the oral evidence must be backed by documents as it was a requirement under the Statute of Frauds that land transactions must be witnessed in writing.

“The appellant did not adduce evidence that he paid for the property with his own money giving rise to the creation of a resulting trust in his favor,” the Court ruled.

“A trust of personality can be created without writing whereas a trust of land requires to be in writing,” the Court ruled and dismissed the appeal.

“In the present appeal, the issue involves land. It cannot, therefore, be argued by the appellant that there was no need to execute an instrument to create a resulting trust,” the Court concluded.

Always document land transactions!

Case citation - Kunkuta v Chibangula & Another - Appeal No. 8/2019.

Lecture Notes;

1. Take note that the Statute of Frauds Act of 1677 is applicable in Zambia and requires that all land transactions must be witnessed in writing. No verbal agreements when dealing with land. Make sure you always consult a lawyer when transacting in land.

2. In this case, the Court agreed that the witnesses testified as to who was the owner of the house but non presented any documents to buttress that position. If documents showed that he gave money to his friend to buy him the house, the Court would have ruled that there as a “resulting trust” and owner would have taken the house.

23/02/2026

Not every kitchen makes it to market.
This one did.

Mr Real Estate

17/02/2026

Meanwood Chamba Valley Cheers sets the standard. From taste to tenderness, freshness to consistency — their beef never disappoints.

04/02/2026

MINISTRY OF LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCES CALLS FOR COMPREHENSIVE LAND AUDITS IN FARM BLOCKS NATIONWIDE

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has emphasized the urgent need to conduct comprehensive land audits across all Farm Blocks in the country to establish the current land utilization status and inform sound policy decisions.

Speaking this morning before the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Lands, Acting Permanent Secretary Mr Kasonde Mwila disclosed that, out of the ten (10) Farm Blocks established nationwide, only Nansanga Farm Block in Central Province has so far been audited, with the support from the European Union (EU) Delegation to Zambia and COMESA.

Mr Mwila noted that while the findings from Nansanga Farm Block may be indicative of challenges in some Farm Blocks, it is imperative that audits are extended to the remaining blocks to obtain a comprehensive national picture.

“I wish to state that the situation in Nansanga Farm Block may be representative of the situation in some of the Farm Blocks. However, it is vital that land audits are conducted in the remaining Farm Blocks to determine the actual situation and guide policy direction,” Mr. Mwila said.

He further underscored the need to develop national guidelines, strengthen multi-ministerial coordination among the land, agriculture, local government sectors, and support customary state conflict resolution mechanisms to effectively address land encroachments.

“To enhance the management of Farm Blocks in the country, it is essential that appropriate policy frameworks are put in place, including those mentioned above,” he added.

The Acting Permanent Secretary expressed concern over the outcomes of the Nansanga Farm Block land audit, particularly the underutilization of land, where approximately 79 percent of the land was found to be idle or unspecified, thereby undermining the core objectives of the Farm Block development model.

Among the key recommendations arising from the audit is the enforcement of the “Use It or Lose It” principle, which entails applying penalties or initiating lease cancellations for developers holding land for speculative purposes.

Other recommendations include the modernization of payment systems through the rollout of digital and mobile money platforms to enhance the collection of ground rent and rates, as well as the revitalization of core ventures through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to provide storage and processing facilities.

Additionally, the Ministry aims to reverse the erroneous conversion of village lands and regularize existing occupants to restore order and promote sustainable land use within Farm Blocks.

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources remains committed to promoting efficient land administration and ensuring that land resources contribute meaningfully to national development.

Issued by:
Delphine Hampande.
Principal Public Relations Officer
MLNR.
04. 02. 2026

23/12/2025

04/08/2025

What the Atlantic Ocean Taught Me About the Real Estate Market.

On a recent real estate trip to Cape Town, I took a moment to get a great shot by the coast. I had a plan. The Atlantic, it turned out, had a bigger one.
It was a powerful (and hilarious) reminder: In both life and real estate, you can have the most detailed strategy in the world, but you ALWAYS have to be ready for the unexpected market shifts... or waves!
The secret to success isn't just about perfect planning; it's about how quickly you adapt, keep your footing, and move forward.
What's a time you had to think on your feet to save a situation? Share your story in the comments below! 👇

01/08/2025

❓Would You Finish the Flats or Build a Second Block First?

🏡 Prime Plot for Sale – Ibex Hill, Lusaka

This 60m x 36m (1,501 sqm) wall-fenced plot sits in one of Lusaka’s most prestigious and established residential areas.

🔹 Includes:

2 x 3-bedroom semi-detached flats (almost complete)

Ample space to build an additional block

🔹 Ideal For:
✅ Homeowners
✅ Property investors
✅ Diaspora buyers building back home

📍 Access: Via BKS Apartments or opposite Oasis Park
📄 Clean title deed
💰 Price: K1,700,000
📞 Call or WhatsApp Mr. Real Estate on +260 977 708822

21/07/2025

🚘 MR. REAL ESTATE | Neighbourhood Drive
🌊 Cape Town Waterfront Edition

Today wasn’t about showings or sales — just a relaxed drive through one of the most iconic neighbourhoods in Africa.
From luxury shops to ocean views, the Cape Town Waterfront reminds us what premium living looks and feels like.

Stopped by the mall. Took in the atmosphere.
Sometimes, the best way to understand a neighbourhood… is to simply feel it.

🎥 Watch the full drive in the video section.
Like, follow, and ride with me as we explore South Africa’s finest locations.