Winning formula for land reform

The spinoffs derived from the publicprivate partnership between the government and the private sector make for an excellent springboard towards successful land reform.

The convergence of the Gauteng shared services centre of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform and Pick n Pay in making the Dreamland Piggery an agricultural success, has not only provided a blueprint for land reform projects but has created an opportunity for black South Africans to realise the possibility of radical economic transformation.

Through the proactive land acquisition strategy, the department proactively purchases land with high agricultural potential, then selects beneficiaries who can lease the land and also give them an option to purchase it.

The Dreamland Piggery in Vanderbijlpark, in the Vaal, is a perfect example. Its lessee, Anna Phosa, started a piggery business with her family on a small scale in 2004 with four sows after she enlisted assistance from the department to acquire the entire 318 hectare farm she owned on a 50/50 basis with her partner.

Today, through the Ackerman and Pick n Pay Foundation’s small business incubator programme, the business has grown and is now able to supply Pick n Pay with 3 000 pigs.

Through this partnership, Pick n Pay increases access to national and regional markets. By doing so, it also increases procurement of local products as well as mentoring small suppliers to improve and develop great quality and a range of local products at competitive prices. This helps in liberalising the markets and levelling the playing fields.

Support of land beneficiaries through public-private partnership is a winning formula.

Themba Mzula Hleko Rosslyn Gardens, Pretoria