Jumble of feelings on expropriation of land
Most in favour but how it is allocated is a bone of contention at hearing
Should the land be returned to citizens, the government or traditional leaders?
This question took centre stage at the land hearings at East London’s Orient Theatre on Thursday.
The majority of attendees, just as was the case with other hearings in the Eastern Cape, agreed the government should forge ahead with expropriation of land without compensation.
The public hearings have as their aim to gauge public’s sentiment on whether section 25 of the constitution should be amended to allow for land expropriation without compensation.
However, traditional leaders, farmers, ordinary residents and political parties disagreed with what should be done with the land once it was expropriated.
Traditional leaders are arguing that the land should be returned to them, while some residents and the Khoisan want the land to be allocated directly to them.
Agri SA believes instead of taking away land from the white minority, experienced commercial farmers should partner up with communities and better use the land.
Ama Rharhabe’s Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe told the packed hall the land should be given to traditional leaders.
“It is about healing the wounds of the colonial past and serving with excruciating pain of inflicted tenantry in our God bestowed and bequeathed asset, the land that belongs transgenerationally to the indigenous people of Africa under the protective care of their leadership, our kings and royalty, who are accountable to them and indeed to them only.”
But Jongile Mxesi, 81, received the loudest cheers when he opposed the views of Burns Ncamashe.
When interviewed Mxesi said: “The land must not be given to traditional leaders, the government must take the land so they can be able to look after us and assist in our farming.”
However, Thobile Hlengwa said people should be given the land to do with as they see fit.
“If we are given land, the government won’t have the burden of building RDP houses because people will own houses on their own land,” he said.
Nolitha Ndlazi, who said she was a lecturer in Saudi Arabia, echoed his feelings.
“Ownership of land will help us to create our own schools and jobs, instead of all flocking to these companies to seek for jobs.”
DA MPL Terri Stander said the land should be given to the people.
“If we are to achieve equality, and unity, we have to have justice through land ownership and land reforms is one of those ways that we can create equality and unity.”
The EFF’s national chairman, Dali Mpofu, said the land should be in the hands of the state because the state belongs to the people.
The land must not be given to traditional leaders, the state must take the land