Ingonyama Trust land issue must be handled sensitively

HOW IS it possible that 25 years into democracy we still have a parallel feudal state administered by the Ingonyama Trust, which “owns” nearly one-third of the land in KwaZulu-Natal?

The trust collects over R100 million a year since it “upgraded” its tenants from permission-to-occupy status to annual leases, ostensibly for “community development initiatives”, but there is little to show for the money collected on behalf of King Goodwill Zwelithini, the sole trustee.

The king, remember, also receives an annual “stipend” from the KZN government – R66m this year – which he says is insufficient to meet his needs.

The issue of the trust – created in the last days of apartheid in a deal to persuade the IFP to participate in elections – and the nearly 3 million hectares under its control, is now front and centre of public discourse after the presidential advisory panel on land reform and agriculture proposed that it be scrapped.

This would pave the way for the land to be appropriated and made available for distribution in restitution processes and in other ways, at little cost to the fiscus.

Predictably, the king has been stung by the proposal, which would diminish his influence over his subjects and, presumably, take away a huge source of income for the trust.

Addressing women at the weekend, he expressed anger that he was never consulted over the proposal and called on his subjects to support him in defending the land.

The ANC is largely to blame for the king’s sense of self-importance, having pandered to him over the years in search of votes to win KZN from the IFP.

He now believes he and his people own the land and has already threatened secession and armed rebellion over the matter.

The king needs reminding that we live in a constitutional democracy and that his role is ceremonial and cultural – nothing more. He already survives by the grace of the South African taxpayer, and should not expect anything further.

However, as much as there is a pressing need to satisfy the thirst for land, this is an emotive matter in KZN, and needs to be handled sensitively to prevent bloodshed.