Grounds for rejoicing
LAND expropriated from local communities 50 years ago for the construction of the Port of Richards Bay was compensated for at a historic breakthrough function on Friday.
And by mutual agreement, a land development deal was signed between the kwaMthiyane and kwaMbonambi clans and Transnet, which will allow for the expansion of the harbour.
In return, Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza handed over about 5 000 hectares of land to the kwaMbonambi clan and 1 400ha plus financial restoration to the kwaMthiyane clan for non-claimable land used by the Stateowned rail, port, and pipeline company.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Didiza thanked Transnet leadership and the parties for working together to change the lives of people who are the beneficiaries of this successful land claim.
‘True leadership is determined when the situation is not good… this is the time to work together and develop this land,’ said Didiza.
‘It is all now in the hands of the leadership.' Outlining the purpose of the day, Transnet group CEO Portia Derby said 1 April was a significant date for the Richards Bay port, as work to construct the port began officially on the same date 46 years ago.
‘This is something that must be remembered for generations to come. You don’t plant a tree today for yourself but for the future, and that is what we have stated today,’ said Derby, adding that the real work between the port and the two clans had just begun.
‘It is essential that this unity of purpose that this community has built must now really stand the test of time and the challenges that will come,’ said Derby.
Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan said addressing the dispossession of land from black South Africans is the priority of the government.
‘Today is yet another day where we can celebrate the repositioning of land,’ said the minister.
He said Friday's land claim signing was the continuation of the government’s experience to acknowledge the injustices of the past, and in this regard, they have negotiated what was in the best interest of the community and the Richards Bay port.
Historic day as port land claim settled with communities
Transnet and the Mandlazini community have agreed to settle the Mandlazini land claim on the following basis:
* Transnet to restore land parcels located in the Northern Link/Nsezi forest and commercial properties in the Small Craft Harbour.
* Transnet to retain all the land parcels that are core to its rail and port operations, including the land parcel that Transnet is acquiring from the uMhlathuze Municipality for port expansion purposes.
Under the land swap agreement between Transnet and uMhlathuze Municipality:
*Transnet is to acquire certain land parcels from the municipality for port expansion and relocation of the navy from Salisbury Island in Durban to Naval and Pelican islands in Richards Bay.
*The uMhlathuze Municipality is to acquire, among others, Aquadene township from Transnet for human settlement purposes.