The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development held round the table discussion with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Local Government, Magosi, Farmers’ unions, civil organisations, councillors, political parties and religious groups on Thursday 2 May 2013 at the Legislature Chamber. Inputs made from these discussions formed part of public hearings that the committee conducted on the 1913 Land Native Act on Friday, 3 May 2013.

The National Chairperson of Land Reform and Rural Development, Hon Stone Sizane made a presentation on the Land Native Act 1913 stating that since land was forcefully taken from its rightful owners under the apartheid regime through the 1913 Land Native Act many fellow South Africans have suffered and continue to suffer from the effects of this law.

“The reason our people continue to suffer from poverty, is due to the fact that they do not have land to cultivate, land to farm crops and cattle, majority of the land is still owned by white people including foreigners, and the minority of blacks who own it are either not skilled to successfully farm land or do not have proper resources to maintain their rich land and in most cases end up selling their land to the whites,” said Hon. Sizane

It was only then in 1994, a Commission of Restitution was established under the leadership of the former President Nelson Mandela to provide equal rights to victims of racially motivated land dispossession, in line with the provisions of the Restitution of Land Rights Act, 1994 (Act No. 22 of 1994).

The departments made presentations, giving feedback on progress made in the North West since 1994 on Restitution and Redistribution of land, post settlement and agricultural support as well as existing challenges confronting farm dwellers.

The Chief Director of Land Restitution and Land Reform, Mr Lengane Bogatsu mentioned that systems and programmes are in place, systems such as the Rural Infrastructure Development, Rural Enterprise and Industrialisation Development; National Youth Rural Community programmes which assist the community by providing water and sanitation, electricity, housing, skills development in small business to create employment and also to assist the youth by developing their skills.

“We have managed to assist most people who lost their land after 1913, about 90% of this has been achieved. R2.5 billion was budgeted where R1.7 billion was used to buy land, about R374 million has been paid for financial compensation and R58 million is allocated for grants that will assist those owning these lands.

“But we still have claims that are sent through which exclude those that do not fall under the 1913 Act. These include those whose lands were taken before 1913 and also could not receive assistance from the department as the cut-off date to submit for claims was in 1998,” said Mr Bogatsu.

It was then decided that the Act be amended to allow those who could not get their land back due to these reasons to also be awarded an opportunity to do so. The reasons stated were for those who lost their land like the Khoisan before 1913, for those who could make it for the cut-off date in 1998, and those who lost their land in the reserves due to the betterment of bantu stands, like Transvaal, Ciskei and Bophuthatswana.

Members of the community were very happy to hear about this amendment as many still complained of not having their rightful land back to them.

A member of the community from Tswaing, Mr Noso, mentioned that they got their land back but has not received any assistance from government to better their lives.

“We do not have water, housing or electricity, the Communal Property Act (CPA) committee is in place but have not assisted with anything as it is their mandate to assist our community,” said Mr Noso.

Another member complained that other white people abuse them in their own land, as CPA’s sell land to whites without the community’s approval, and they do not benefit from it.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Hon. Dodo Baloyi said that Members of Parliament are looking for ways to reverse this Act and resolve the problem of land.

“We are engaging with NGO’s, Magosi and communities to hear their challenges in getting land back to them, and ensure that those systems and programmes set by the department are effective, and well monitored,” said Hon. Baloyi

The next process of claiming of land will be re-opened on the 19 June 2013.