DA wants black farmers to own the land they till
Mmusi Maimane says emerging black farmers are supposed to be able to buy the land they currently lease from the state, but that this has not happened
Qualifying black farmers must have an ownership stake in the land they farm, ensuring economic empowerment and true freedom, DA leader Mmusi Maimane said on Monday. Without ownership, said Maimane, farmers cannot raise capital, remove illegal land invaders and expand production. The government has been under pressure to boost the number of black farmers who actually own the land, amid growing frustration with the state’s tardy land reform programme. The Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies has previously said more than 70% of commercial farms in SA are owned by white farmers. There are about 39,000 white commercial farmers in the country, and 5,300 black farmers, according to the African Farmers Association of SA. In many instances, black farmers struggle to get title, making it difficult for them to access finance and raise capital. Maimane, who met farmers in Limpopo on Monday, said through the Land Redistribution for Local Development programme, emerging black farmers...
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