Progress and Strategy of South Africa’s Land Reform: An Overview by the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development

In response to concerns about land ownership and access in South Africa, the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development detailed the advancements and strategies of his department's land reform initiatives during a recent parliamentary query session posed by Mr. L W Mahlatsi.

Addressing the question of the current status and progress, the Minister explained that since the adoption of the democratic Constitution in 1994, land reform programs such as Land Redistribution, Tenure Reform, and Restitution have led to the acquisition of over 9.2 million hectares. Notably, 659,602 hectares of agricultural state land were allocated for various purposes under the state land release initiative to fast-track land reform. Additionally, the TRANCRAA Act has seen 599,000 hectares of land transferred to colored communities, empowering historically disadvantaged groups.

To enhance the fairness and efficiency of land redistribution, the Department has implemented multiple policies. These include a Backlog Reduction Strategy to address the lingering delays in land claim settlements, wherein a comprehensive database for all outstanding claims is being developed. This strategy also includes updates to policies and procedures aimed at shortening the time required to settle a claim. A proposal is underway to restructure funding, which is intended to boost both the human and financial resources necessary for implementing these strategies.

For new landowners, the Department offers substantial support to ensure productive land use. Initiatives such as the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP), the Blended Funding Model (BFM), and the Land Development Support all play significant roles. The government provides various training programmes and has formed Service Level Agreements with commodity organizations and financial institutions, enabling skills transfer, market access, and credit-building opportunities. Such multi-stakeholder partnerships are critical for the sustainable development of emerging farming operations.

Recognizing the essential connection between land reform and agriculture, the President established the Presidential Advisory Panel on Land Reform and Agriculture in 2018. The Panel's expert recommendations shape the Programme of Action, processed through the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform and Agriculture, chaired by the Deputy President. Additionally, the comprehensive Agriculture and Agro-Processing Master Plan (AAMP) is a key component in ensuring the productive use of land for agriculture, linked with agro-processing and marketing efforts.

These details provide a transparent view of the governmental efforts in addressing historic land ownership inequality issues, while also upholding agricultural productivity and food security – essential elements in South Africa's economy.