Forum debates land issue
Land expropriation being discussed
AS the debate around land expropriation without compensation is growing in South Africa, a group of academics, experts on land and NGOs said there are companies willing to donate land to the state.
The conference at the UWC was hosted by the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS).
The two-day conference was themed: “Resolving the land question. Land redistribution for equitable access to land in South Africa.”
Wandile Sihlobo from the Agricultural Business Chamber in Pretoria, said: “There are a lot of companies that want to release and donate land.
“But we also need to give them incentives such as water rights. When doing land redistribution, a viable way to do it must be identified such as government supporting black farmers.
“The government cannot continue to support farms that are not sustainable. That is why we give black and emerging farmers start-up capital, so that they can become sustainable.
“What also came out of the conference is creating a land reform fund for farmers.” Another issue which came under the spotlight at the conference was the eviction of farmworkers and dwellers. Mazibuko Jara from Ntaba Ka Ndoda said they are calling for massive land redistribution.
“Poor people should benefit from land reform. This is why we looked at solutions for these challenges.”
Professor Sonwabile Mnwana from the University of Fort Hare said: “Land which gets donated should be productive.”
Professor Ben Cousins from PLAAS said: “If people were paid compensation for land it may be less than the market value. The debate was also framed around who gets land and with what rights will it be transferred. Other key issues were a wider programme for land reform. This is why we have to think holistically when it comes to the land issue.”