SA’s land debate is clouded by misrepresentation and lack of data
There is almost zero information on how many people have actually benefited from land reform, or patterns of land use after transfer
Parliament has passed a resolution to amend the Constitution and allow expropriation without compensation. The decision has generated a storm of gigantic proportions as political parties, citizens, white farmers and commentators anticipate either the moment of salvation ("Real land reform at last!") or disaster ("The collapse of the market economy!"). Sadly, few contributions to the public debate are informed by the available evidence. And poorly informed commentators often misrepresent the issues. Compounding this is a serious problem: the absence of reliable national data on many aspects of the land issue. Land policy, at the centre of the storm, is flailing around in the dark. SA’s land policy is based on three main pillars: restitution, redistribution and tenure reform. Restitution involves people claiming back land taken away from them after June 1913, or compensation for their loss. Land redistribution involves acquiring and transferring land from white farmers to black farmer...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.