The Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane today handed over title deeds to nine communities who had successfully claimed their land back through the Department’s Commission on the Restitution of Land Rights in the Waterberg District, Limpopo Province.
This occasion marked the handover of more than forty-two thousand (42 746) hectares of land which included a game farm that has been restored to the Waterberg claimant communities. Most of the communities were disposed of their land between 1913 and 1962 following the passing of the 1913 Natives Land Act by the previous government.
The title deeds were handed over the, Seabi, Matlhabatse, Mabula Mosima, Baphalane ba Ramokoka, Shamane Magashule, Letlhakaneng, Ga Padi, Sebilong and Batlhaleroa communities.
The Commission on Restitution of Land Rights has spent over R300 million in finalising the claims which include prime agricultural, game farms, eco-tourism areas and mining land. The restoration of this prime land has not only brought about the reversal of the negative impact of dispossession of black South Africans, but is also a step toward a shift in land ownership patterns in the Limpopo province. The properties are currently being put to productive use under various arrangements such as joint ventures and lease agreements, thus contributing to job creation.
During the handing over Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said, “as the department we are trying to correct the original sin of apartheid were 87% of agricultural land is owned by a few and only 13% of agriculture land is owned by the majority of South Africa. We want to reduce the inequality through land access”. She quoted the freedom charter that land shall be shared amongst those who work it.
She urged the Communal Property Association not to frame the title deeds but to use them to fight poverty. “Signing this title is not child’s play, make use this land. Lead your people with integrity and honour, you must stop fighting amongst yourselves and start making the land productive”, urged the minister.
“I also want to urge women to participate in land reform processes. Women play a critical role in the land reform in South Africa. South Africa is not in shortage of capable women”, she said.
As we celebrate the centenary of the birth of the father of our nation, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, we are reminded that the first law to be passed by the first democratically elected parliament was the Restitution of Land Rights Act (Act 22 of 1994). This was done with the conscious acknowledgement that it is an economic asset and land justice is important to deal with the challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality”, the minister added.
During the handover Minister Nkoana-Mashabane was critical of calls for communities to engage in land grabs saying while he acknowledged the challenges with the restitution process, grabbing land will only take the country backward. She emphasised the need to work together in order to correctly restore land to the rightful claimants.
Issued by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform: Strategic Communications Enquiries | Moses Raanditsheni: 082 448 2450 Moses. Raanditsheni@drdlr.gov.za or Phuti Mabelebele Tel: +27 12 312 8909 | 076 4027521 IPhuti.Mabelebele@drdlr.gov.za www.drdlr.gov.za
