Twenty years later, the country has made numerous strides towards this goal but sadly, one area still remains explosive and dangerous – simmering just underneath the surface. The land issue is one subject that is testing South Africa’s concept of the rainbow nation and its commitment to correcting historical economic imbalances in a way that does not reverse the gains made thus far.
Ever since the land issue became contentious in Zimbabwe, South Africa has always known that this is one historical disparity it would have to address sooner or later. Learning from its northern neighbour’s experiences, the country is aware that the land issue can easily threaten its food security. It also has the power to be used as an emotional tool for political ends.
Momentum
The land issue, which has been stalled for such a long time, has been of late been gathering momentum, with the first political goals already being scored. In a survey carried out by Pondering Panda in 2013, it was revealed that 37% of the people surveyed were in favour of the Economic Freedom Fighters’ land reform policies.
The South African government is under pressure to carry out land reforms before the impoverished majority begins illegally occupying commercially viable land in a haphazard manner. In a recent draft proposal, the Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti proposed that farmers hand over half their land to their workers. This proposal has been met by disdain especially by opposition parties, who view the proposal as disastrous and a big threat to national food security.
The South African Constitution mandates the state to take reasonable legislative and other measures within its available resources to effect land redistribution. Section 25 of the Bill of Rights also explicitly allows the state to expropriate property. However, the distribution of land has been extremely slow, through the willing seller, willing buyer policy.
Government has reported that between 1994 and 2013, more than 4,500 farms were transferred to black people. However, there has not been any real data to show further support or the transformation, if any, brought about by this distribution programme.
Emotive nature
Because of the emotive nature of the land and its intrinsic link to food, it is too sensitive and important a matter to leave to external uncontrolled forces. The effects of the Native Land Act of 1913, which accorded only 7% of arable land to Africans and restricted black people from buying or occupying land except as employees of white people, still has to be reversed.
The formerly disadvantaged communities are getting restless and political opportunists are creeping in. South Africa has the advantage of lessons learnt from Zimbabwe and should therefore not be caught napping when the simmering tensions beneath the ever-so-volatile surface explode.
Post published in: Africa News