NEVA MAKGETLA: Big land question is how and what can be sown and reaped
Giving people land does not provide real redress, and creating a new generation of first-time farmers takes time and resources
For a country in which most people are at least bilingual, it’s amazing how easily we talk past each other. That’s particularly true of the land debates, where proposals diverge in aims and methods. One set of demands centres on historic injustices and the need to disrupt SA’s extraordinarily inequitable economic and social systems; the other targets practical measures to raise living standards by embedding people as producers in formal farm value chains. Expropriation without compensation is an attractive slogan because, 25 years after the transition to democracy, the majority of South Africans are still disempowered economically, socially and politically. Even if their living conditions have improved, most still do not feel they have an equal say in society and governance, or a fair income. According to this logic, land theft was a foundation of apartheid, so restoring it to the impoverished will return their dignity, giving them at least some assets. This is the Uber of politi...
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.