1,388 press releases in English indexed under real estate.
About two-thirds of metros favor buyers or are moving that way, but higher rates are shrinking what a fixed monthly budget can buy AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 19, 2026 -- Buyers are gaining leverage in the U.S. housing market, but higher mortgage rates are cutting their purchasing...
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Guangzhou, China, Oct 19, 2026 - At the event, international smart mobility brand Airwheel presented its range of Luxury Cabin Suitcases, combining electric mobility, intelligent technology and premium luggage design in a product category that challenges the conventional definition of travel luggage. The first phase of the 140th Canton Fair has come to an end, but one of the products featured at Airwheel's booth continues to generate conversation among international buyers: a suitcase that can actually be ridden. The response was immediate. International buyers gathered around the Airwheel booth to see the products, ask questions and, most importantly, experience them for themselves. One after another, visitors stepped onto the electric suitcases and rode through the exhibition area. Soon, Airwheel rideable luxury suitcases became a familiar sight across the venue, with buyers riding between exhibition areas and returning to the booth to explore product specifications and potential business opportunities. A suitcase that moves with you is no longer a concept. At Airwheel, it is a product experience. From “Carry-On” to “Ride-On” Traditional luggage is designed around a simple relationship: the traveler moves, and the suitcase follows. Airwheel is challenging that relationship. Its Luxury Cabin Suitcase combines the storage functionality of a compact travel case with an integrated electric mobility system, allowing users to switch between conventional luggage handling. For travelers moving through large airports, exhibition centers, transportation hubs and other spacious environments, the concept is straightforward: Instead of always pulling your suitcase, ride it when the journey calls for it. The idea proved particularly compelling at the Canton Fair, where buyers routinely travel long distances between exhibition halls, booths and meeting areas. On selected Airwheel models, the riding mechanism can be deployed with an intuitive control system, allowing the suitcase to transition from luggage to personal mobility device within seconds. The result is a distinctly different travel experience. The suitcase is no longer simply something being carried. It becomes part of the way you move. A Product That Turns Curiosity Into Business Conversations Airwheel's product demonstrations at the Canton Fair was driven not only by its unusual appearance, but by the ability of visitors to experience the technology directly. Buyers could sit on the suitcase, test the riding controls, examine the structure and evaluate the combination of luggage storage and electric mobility firsthand. That physical interaction quickly moved beyond curiosity. Airwheel's exhibition team engaged with international buyers on topics including bulk purchasing, product certifications, delivery schedules, distribution models, market positioning and product portfolios. For distributors and retailers, the attraction is clear. Rideable smart luggage offers a differentiated category that sits at the intersection of travel gear, personal mobility and consumer technology. It creates a product experience that traditional luggage cannot easily replicate while giving retail and distribution partners a new way to engage consumers. The Canton Fair experience demonstrated the value of that approach: visitors did not need a lengthy explanation to understand the concept. They could simply get on and ride. 73.26Wh Removable Battery Designed for Carry-On Travel The technology behind Airwheel's Luxury Cabin Suitcase extends far beyond its electric drive system. The 73.26Wh removable lithium battery is designed around the requirements of modern air travel. Airwheel states that the battery meets global airline standards, with a removable architecture that allows it to be taken out of the suitcase when required. For the SE3SX, Airwheel's 20-inch smart electric suitcase is specifically positioned as a cabin-size carry-on product, with the company stating that it meets international airline carry-on standards. The removable battery architecture also facilitates security inspection and battery handling during travel. The battery solution is supported by relevant safety certification, while the 20-inch cabin-size form factor is designed to integrate electric mobility into a travel format familiar to international travelers. This creates an important distinction. Airwheel is not simply building an electric vehicle that happens to look like luggage. It is engineering a travel product around the requirements of luggage first, while integrating personal mobility into the same architecture. The SE3SX, for example, combines a 73.26Wh battery, 20-inch carry-on format, 6.6kg overall weight, 95kg maximum load and a top speed of 9.9km/h. It also supports Apple Find My and Airwheel's smart app ecosystem. Smart Features Built Into the Travel Experience Electric mobility is only one part of the Airwheel experience. Depending on the model, the Luxury Cabin Suitcase portfolio incorporates technologies including TSA-compatible locks, USB charging, Airwheel smart APP connectivity, Apple Find My support and dynamic RGB lighting. The objective is not to add technology simply for the sake of technology. Each feature is intended to address a familiar part of the travel experience. The smart APP provides connected control functions, while Apple Find My support gives users another way to keep track of their luggage. TSA-compatible locking supports international travel scenarios, while USB charging turns the suitcase into an additional source of mobile power. On the SE3SX, Airwheel has also integrated a smart handle that brings key riding controls into the handlebar architecture, combining acceleration, braking and reverse functions into a compact interface. The design philosophy is therefore less about creating a “smart gadget” and more about creating a smart piece of travel equipment. Engineering Meets Luxury Luggage Design The engineering challenge behind a rideable suitcase is significant. A conventional suitcase needs to maximize internal storage while remaining lightweight, durable and easy to transport. An electric suitcase adds an entirely different set of requirements: motors, batteries, structural reinforcement, control systems, wheels and mechanical components must all coexist within a compact luggage architecture. Airwheel approaches this challenge through the integration of electric drive technology, structural engineering, intelligent controls and premium luggage design. The SE3SX uses an enhanced aluminum-magnesium alloy frame combined with an ABS+PC composite shell, balancing strength with weight. The product supports a maximum load of 95kg while maintaining a compact 20-inch cabin-size form. The result is a product that does not simply look futuristic. Its technology is built into the physical architecture of the suitcase. The intelligence is in the structure. The mobility is in the design. And the technology is designed to disappear into the experience. International Design Recognition Beyond the Ride The attention Airwheel received at the Canton Fair is part of a broader design and innovation story. Airwheel's smart rideable luggage portfolio has received recognition from a wide range of international design programs, including the Berlin Design Awards Gold, European Product Design Award (EPDA), MUSE Design Awards, London Design Awards, NY Product Design Awards, Asian Design Awards, Japan IDPA Awards, WGA Wonder Global Design Awards and iLuxury Design Awards, among others. Airwheel's official product platform also highlights international design recognition across models including the SE3 series and SE3MiniT, with awards associated with programs in Europe, the United States and Asia. For Airwheel, these awards represent more than visual design. A rideable suitcase requires designers and engineers to rethink the relationship between form, function and movement. How can a motor be integrated without compromising luggage space? How can a riding mechanism remain compact when the suitcase is used as conventional luggage? How can a premium exterior accommodate sophisticated electronics and mechanical components? And perhaps most importantly: How can technology change the experience of travel without making the product feel complicated? These are the design questions behind the evolution of Airwheel's smart luggage. 600+ Global Patents and Trademarks in 168+ Countries and Regions Behind the product portfolio is an international intellectual property foundation developed over more than a decade of smart mobility research and product development. Airwheel has established a portfolio of more than 600 global patents, while its trademark registrations extend across more than 168 countries and regions. For international business partners, this intellectual property foundation provides an important indicator of Airwheel's long-term commitment to technology, product development and global market expansion. The combination of patents, international trademarks, design awards and an established product portfolio gives Airwheel a broader foundation for cooperation with distributors, retailers, travel retailers and mobility-focused partners. Rather than building its international business around a single product, Airwheel is developing a broader smart mobility ecosystem. A Complete Luxury Cabin Suitcase Portfolio The Canton Fair presentation also demonstrated that Airwheel's strategy extends well beyond a single flagship model. The SE3SX , SE3SL and SE3SXD form key parts of the Luxury Cabin Suitcase portfolio, offering different approaches to intelligent riding, portability and connected travel. The SE3SX Cabin Suitcase focuses on premium smart electric mobility in a compact 20-inch cabin format, combining riding functionality, smart APP connectivity and Apple Find My support. The SE3SL+ Airport Boarding Suitcase emphasizes lightweight design and everyday usability, balancing rideability, portability and travel convenience. The SE3S and SE3SL Smart Carry-on Suitcase further expand the range for mainstream smart travel markets. Airwheel also presented products designed for more specific travel and mobility scenarios. The SE3MiniT hand suitcase focuses on a compact form factor for lighter travel and short-distance mobility. The SE3T brings a larger-capacity format for travelers who need greater storage for longer journeys and family travel. The SQ3 and SQ3S kids suitcase extend the rideable luggage concept into children's travel, combining mobility, practicality and a more engaging travel experience. Together, these models form a broader product ecosystem spanning premium cabin luggage, everyday travel, larger-capacity mobility and family-oriented products. For international distributors and retailers, that creates greater flexibility in building a localized product portfolio around different consumer segments and market requirements. The Next Evolution of Smart Travel The first phase of the 140th Canton Fair offered Airwheel an opportunity to demonstrate its products directly to global buyers. The demonstrations allowed visitors to see the riding function firsthand. Visitors saw the product. They sat on it. They rode it. And many stayed to discuss what it could mean for their markets. That sequence—from discovery to experience to business conversation—captures the core of Airwheel's approach to smart travel. The company is not simply putting a motor into a suitcase. It is exploring what happens when luggage becomes mobility. When mobility becomes intelligent. And when technology becomes an integrated part of the travel experience. The result is a new category of travel equipment designed for a generation of travelers who expect their everyday products to do more. A suitcase that carries your belongings. A mobility device that carries you. A connected travel companion that moves with you. That is the direction Airwheel is taking with its Luxury Cabin Suitcase. Airwheel Continues at Canton Fair Phase Two and Phase Three The first phase of the 140th Canton Fair may have concluded, but Airwheel's presence at the event continues. The brand will participate in the second and third phases, providing international distributors, retailers, sourcing professionals and potential business partners with further opportunities to experience the Luxury Cabin Suitcase portfolio firsthand. Phase Two October 23–27, 2026 Airwheel Booth: 20.2F19-20 Phase Three October 31–November 4, 2026 Airwheel Booths: 18.1K04, 20.2J37-38 and 20.2K11-12 For buyers looking for differentiated smart travel products, the upcoming exhibition phases provide an opportunity to explore the full Airwheel portfolio, experience the rideable luggage firsthand and discuss potential distribution and sourcing opportunities directly with the brand. The first phase showed how quickly a new form of luggage can capture attention. The next two phases will bring that experience to even more global buyers. Airwheel is not waiting for the future of travel. It is building it—one smart suitcase at a time. About Airwheel Airwheel is an international smart mobility brand developing intelligent travel, personal mobility and smart electric products. With more than a decade of experience in smart mobility development, 600+ global patents, trademark registrations across 168+ countries and regions, and a growing portfolio of international design awards, Airwheel continues to explore the convergence of intelligent technology, industrial design and everyday mobility. Its smart rideable luggage portfolio includes the SE3SX, SE3SL, SE3SXD, SE3SL, SE3S, SE3MiniT, SE3T and SQ series, serving different travel scenarios, user groups and market requirements. Airwheel's vision is simple:Free Intelligent Life Media Contact Company: Airwheel Contact: Media Team Website: https://www.airwheel.net
LAKE MARY, Fla., October 18, 2026 - OpenWorld, Inc. (“OpenWorld” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: OPNW), an innovation company advancing global real-world asset (“RWA”) tokenization, today announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement to acquire Blocksight and outlined how its acquisition of Blocksight Holdings Co. (“Blocksight”), announced on October 1, 2026, is intended to serve as the operating foundation for the Company’s tokenized financing programs in infrastructure and energy. Blocksight builds AI agents that bring real-world assets on-chain, automating deal structuring, asset data verification, investor onboarding, daily investor reporting and ongoing investment servicing, with human approval required at key decision points. Upon completion of the acquisition, these agents are expected to be integrated into OpenWorld Enterprise, the platform through which OpenWorld structures, administers and reports on tokenized RWA programs. In the two weeks since the Blocksight announcement, OpenWorld has announced two tokenized financing programs that OpenWorld Enterprise is expected to structure and service. On October 7, 2026, the Company entered into a non-binding term sheet with BeyondAI for a proposed intellectual property-backed transaction of up to $130 million, under which digital tokens would represent investors’ rights to payments backed by eligible BeyondAI intellectual property. On October 15, 2026, the Company entered into a non-binding term sheet with Meridian to establish a tokenized financing program of up to $1 billion to fund a distributed AI computing network powered by on-site solar energy and residential battery storage, with an expected initial deployment planned for 10,000 homes. Together, the three announcements describe a single model: one platform, one agentic workflow, applied across asset classes. Key Highlights One platform, one repeatable model: OpenWorld Enterprise is the structuring, administration and reporting layer for each program. Blocksight’s agents are intended to become the orchestration layer inside that platform, so that each new program reuses the same verification, onboarding and reporting infrastructure rather than rebuilding it. Agentic workflow with human approval: Blocksight’s agents are expected to cover five stages of a tokenized financing: deal structuring, asset data verification, investor onboarding, daily investor reporting and ongoing servicing. People approve the decisions that matter at each stage. Applied to intellectual property (BeyondAI): In an IP-backed structure, the agents are expected to verify eligible patents and software rights, onboard investors and report daily on the payment streams that back the tokens, while BeyondAI retains control of its technology. Applied to energy and computing infrastructure (Meridian): In a distributed network of residential battery storage, solar panels and AI computing equipment across thousands of properties, the agents are expected to ingest equipment performance data via IOT devices, reconcile hosting payments and AI inference revenue, and deliver investor reporting on the underlying assets. Team: The Blocksight co-founders Patrick Kim and Peter Hong are expected to join OpenWorld upon closing of the merger. “We want to build a model in which the Blocksight acquisition provides the foundation for our tokenization work in infrastructure and energy,” said Matt Shaw, CEO of OpenWorld. “We expect our proposed transaction with BeyondAI to demonstrate that industrial AI intellectual property can be structured as financeable collateral. Our term sheet with Meridian extends that same model to physical assets: Tesla Powerwall residential battery storage, solar generation and AI compute nodes across thousands of properties. Programs of that size cannot be verified, onboarded and reported on by hand. Blocksight’s agents are how we intend to do it at scale, with people approving every decision that matters.” From Transaction to Platform Tokenizing a real-world asset is not a single event. Each program requires the underlying assets to be structured into a financeable form, the data behind those assets to be verified, investors to be onboarded and documented, performance to be reported on a continuing basis, and payments to be serviced over the life of the structure. Performed manually, each of these steps limits how many programs a platform can run and how large each program can be. Blocksight was built to automate that lifecycle. Its agents structure deals, verify asset data, onboard investors, produce daily investor reporting and service investments on an ongoing basis, with humans required for key decisions. After the closing of the merger, OpenWorld intends to make this workflow the standard operating layer of OpenWorld Enterprise, so that the Company can take on larger programs, across more asset classes, with consistent verification and reporting for investors. Applying the Model: BeyondAI Under the October 7, 2026 term sheet, OpenWorld would provide transaction structuring, tokenization, technology integration, reporting infrastructure and operational services for a proposed IP-backed transaction of up to $130 million. Each token would represent an investor’s rights to payments backed by eligible BeyondAI intellectual property, such as patents and software rights. The proposed arrangement is a financing backed by IP rights, not a sale of BeyondAI’s technology, and BeyondAI would retain control of its technology. Within this structure, Blocksight’s agents are expected to support the verification of eligible intellectual property, the onboarding of investors and the daily reporting on the payment streams that back the tokens. Applying the Model: Meridian Under the October 15, 2026 term sheet, OpenWorld would serve as advisor, structuring agent and services provider for a tokenized financing program of up to $1 billion, and OpenWorld Enterprise would finance and operate the orchestration of a distributed AI computing network. Meridian holds purchase rights to Tesla Powerwall residential battery storage systems for the program and would own the storage assets within the structure. Residential battery storage, solar panels and AI computing equipment form the asset base. The initial deployment is planned for 10,000 homes, with larger installations at local schools, hospitals and commercial campuses. Initial installations are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, with the first commercial site targeted for the first quarter of 2027. A program of this kind produces a continuous stream of operating data from thousands of sites: equipment performance, energy generated and stored, computing capacity delivered to AI inference providers, and payments owed to participating hosts. Blocksight’s agents are expected to ingest that data, reconcile it against the financing structure and provide investors with reporting on the underlying assets through OpenWorld Enterprise. Transaction Status The term sheets with BeyondAI and Meridian are non-binding, except for the provisions expressly stated to be binding, and each proposed transaction remains subject to the completion of confirmatory due diligence, negotiation and execution of definitive documentation, satisfaction of applicable conditions and completion of the contemplated transaction. In addition, the acquisition of Blocksight remains subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions. There can be no assurance that any of these transactions will be consummated on the terms described or at all. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believes,” “continue,” “expect,” “plan,” “could,” “contemplate,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “intend,” “potential,” “designed,” and other words of similar meaning. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding the acquisition of Blocksight, whether the OpenWorld Board of Directors will approve the acquisition, whether definitive transaction documentation will be executed, the anticipated timing, structure and benefits of the acquisition, the satisfaction or waiver of any closing conditions, the integration of Blocksight and its technology into OpenWorld Enterprise, the expected roles of Blocksight’s founders following closing, the integration of Blocksight’s technology into OpenWorld Enterprise, the proposed transactions with BeyondAI and Meridian, and the size, timing and structure of those programs and the ability of OpenWorld to realize the anticipated strategic and operational benefits of the proposed acquisition and proposed transactions. Each forward-looking statement contained in this press release is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statement. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on OpenWorld’s current beliefs, expectations and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside OpenWorld’s control. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: (1) the possibility that the OpenWorld Board of Directors does not approve the proposed transactions that the parties do not execute definitive transaction documentation; (2) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could cause the proposed transactions not to be completed, including the failure to obtain any necessary approvals or satisfy or waive applicable closing conditions; (3) the institution or outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against OpenWorld, Blocksight, Meridian or BeyondAI following the announcement of the proposed transactions; (4) the risk that the proposed transactions disrupts current plans and operations as a result of the time it diverts from management; (5) OpenWorld’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed transactions and successfully integrate Blocksight’s, Meridian or BeyondAI’s business, personnel and technology if the transactions are completed; (6) the risk that tokenized securities may face increased regulatory scrutiny and may not be broadly accepted by the market; (7) costs related to the proposed transaction; (8) changes in applicable laws or regulations; and (9) the risks and uncertainties described in OpenWorld’s Annual Report and Quarterly Reports filed with the SEC, including under the heading titled “Risk Factors.” OpenWorld cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. You are encouraged to read OpenWorld’s filings with the SEC, available at www.sec.gov, for a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and OpenWorld undertakes no obligation to update or revise any of these statements except as required by applicable law. OpenWorld’s business is subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, including those referenced above. Investors, potential investors, and others should consider these risks and uncertainties. OpenWorld does not give any assurance that definitive transaction documentation relating to the acquisition of Blocksight or the proposed transactions with Meridian and BeyondAI will be executed, that the acquisition or transactions will be completed or that OpenWorld will achieve its expectations and objectives, financial or otherwise, even if the proposed acquisition or transactions are completed. About OpenWorld OpenWorld, Inc. (NASDAQ: OPNW) is a technology-powered digital assets and blockchain innovation company that co-architects and takes principal positions in enterprise blockchain initiatives alongside sovereign governments, institutional partners and major enterprises. Since its founding in 2023, OpenWorld has advised on projects representing over $66 billion in aggregate network value and supported more than 20 companies backed by leading global venture firms, including a16z, Multicoin Capital, Dragonfly and Founders Fund. OpenWorld’s capabilities span real-world asset tokenization, stablecoin infrastructure, capital markets advisory, governance structuring and public markets strategy, with active engagements across the United States, Gulf, Europe, Southeast Asia and Africa. To learn more, visit openworld.dev and follow OpenWorld on X at @_openworld. About Blocksight Blocksight Holdings Co. builds AI agents that bring real-world assets on-chain. Its agents automate deal structuring, asset data verification, investor onboarding, daily investor reporting and ongoing investment servicing, with human approval required at key decisions. Blocksight was co-founded by Patrick Kim and Peter Hong. Investors: ir@openworld.dev Media: Gasthalter & Co. Phone: (212) 257-4170 Email: openworld@gasthalter.com
MILAN, October 18, 2026--Regulatory News: Kaleon S.p.A. (Paris:ALKLN) (MIL:KLN) announces with deep sorrow the passing of its Chairman of the Board of Directors, Vitaliano Borromeo. An entrepreneur with extensive experience in the industrial, real estate and financial sectors, since 2011 he had dedicat
The downloadable planner lets home-service owners compare their own contribution and technician-hour estimates alongside an openly documented housing-data study.
NAMB MORE brings training, credentials, professional development and daily mortgage market information together in one place LAS VEGAS, Oct. 17, 2026 -- The National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB) the first and only national volunteer-led and membership-driven...
Commercial real estate investor and educator Terry Hale is developing a six-part training series through 1CRE, drawing on more than 25 years of experience to teach property sourcing, financial analysis, transaction structuring and property repositioning. MALIBU, Calif., Oct. 17, 2026...
The Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF), General Charles Kahariri, has reaffirmed the Kenya Defence Forces’ (KDF) commitment to operational readiness, troop welfare and military modernisation as key pillars of national security. On the second day of his KDF Day commemorative tour, General Kahariri visited troops deployed under Operation Maliza Uhalifu (OMU) in the Doldol region and personnel and trainees at the School of Military Engineering (SOME) in Archers Post, Isiolo. He was accompanied by the Commander Kenya Army, Lieutenant General David Ketter; Commander Combat Engineers Brigade, Brigadier Maurice Wasomi; and other senior military officers. The visit underscored the importance of sustaining operational effectiveness, strengthening institutional capabilities and recognising personnel engaged in ongoing efforts to dismantle banditry networks and restore security in affected areas. Addressing personnel at both locations, General Kahariri explained that commemorating KDF Day alongside troops deployed in operational areas marked a deliberate shift from conventional celebrations. He emphasised the importance of recognising service members whose demanding operational responsibilities often prevent them from participating in national commemorations. Highlighting this year’s KDF Day theme, “Soldier-Centric Approach to Enhanced National Security and Development,” the CDF reaffirmed that personnel remain central to the KDF’s operational effectiveness and institutional strength. He stressed that investing in their welfare, professional development and operational capabilities is fundamental to mission success. General Kahariri further outlined his vision for a technologically advanced, agile and mission-ready force capable of responding effectively to evolving security threats. Describing the KDF as a national treasure, he emphasised its critical role in safeguarding national sovereignty, supporting disaster response and contributing to national development. He reiterated his commitment to modernising military institutions, strengthening training infrastructure and equipping personnel with the technological capabilities and professional skills required to meet emerging operational demands. On troop welfare, the CDF highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at improving service members’ quality of life, including the affordable mortgage scheme, enhanced training opportunities and programmes designed to strengthen professional competence and career development. He also cautioned personnel against indiscipline, financial mismanagement and exploitative lending practices, particularly shylocking, stressing that personal responsibility, financial prudence and adherence to military values are essential to operational effectiveness. The CDF urged all ranks to uphold the highest standards of discipline, integrity and professionalism while remaining focused on their constitutional mandate. The visit reinforced the KDF leadership’s determination to build a well-equipped, professionally competent and motivated force, anchored on troop welfare, technological advancement and sustained mission readiness in defence of Kenya’s sovereignty, security and national development. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Defence - Kenya.
Airbnb.org is partnering with 211OC to identify people displaced by the Norte Fire in southern Orange County and connect them with a free place to stay.
The Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development welcomed the Commission for Gender Equality’s (CGE) presentation on women’s access to land, economic empowerment and communal land ownership this week, but expressed concern about persistent barriers that prevent women from accessing, controlling and benefiting economically from land. The report noted that despite constitutional commitments to equality and equitable land access, women in communal areas still face insecure tenure. Added to this, they also face patriarchal norms, patrilineal inheritance, male-dominated traditional governance and discriminatory allocation practices. Women also face financial exclusion, limited access to technology and gender stereotypes that further constrain their economic participation. According to the CGE, fewer than 35% of women surveyed owned land, compared with over 50% of men. This puts women at a disadvantage when they need access to collateral and formal finance, which further undermines their ability to establish businesses and raise an income. The committee stressed that land reform must go beyond just allocating land. It must also secure women’s rights and promote the productive use of land. Furthermore, access to finance and markets, infrastructure and sustainable economic opportunities are essential for women to participate meaningfully in the rural economy. The CGE also informed Members that more women farm and run small and micro businesses than men. This highlights rural communities’ untapped economic potential. The committee noted that integrated land reform and rural development interventions will help unlock this potential. The committee also heard that administrative and financial obstacles remain significant. Registration and occupancy costs, complex procedures and bureaucratic delays disproportionately affect women who are already economically vulnerable and who are also inadequately represented in traditional councils and other structures for land governance. The committee was also informed that, in Eastern Cape communities, reported costs for land ranged from R100 to over R100 000. Some applicants even face additional allocation-related expenses and uncertainty over pricing. The committee called for transparent, fair and accountable administration to prevent economic vulnerability from becoming another barrier to land access. The committee expressed support for comprehensive legislative and policy measures that will address gender disparities and ensure greater participation by women in traditional leadership and land governance. The committee also supports gender-disaggregated monitoring, documented allocation procedures, stronger financial inclusion and improved mechanisms for asserting land rights. The committee noted that these measures must address both access to land and the conditions needed for women to derive lasting economic benefits from it. It also noted recommendations for enforceable, monitored measures within existing land reform policies and affordable finance that addresses collateral requirements disadvantaging women without land or property. Meaningful land reform, the committee noted, requires gender equality to be evident in who receives land and holds secure rights. It must also be evident in who participates in decisions and benefits economically. The committee undertook to continue exercising its oversight mandate to encourage better implementation, monitoring and accountability in advancing access to land for women as well as their access to rural economic opportunities. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Plumbing Charlotte Service announces a 24-hour emergency plumbing dispatch line connecting Charlotte-area property owners with local plumbing professionals. Serving more than 60 ZIP codes, the service helps customers arrange assistance for urgent leaks, drain issues, water heater…