Resource information
The injustices of the land issue in South Africa under apartheid are well documented. A programme of land reform since then has had varied success. The authors argue that there is a great deal of empirical evidence to show that the private sector and markets make major contributions to South Africa’s development in general and to land reform in particular. It is in this light that this report looks at the contribution made by the private sector to land reform, both through organised land reform initiatives and in the ordinary course of their business. It examines cases in the Western and Eastern Cape regions, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga and focuses on the agri-business sectors of fruit, timber and sugar production.The following key findings are highlighted:
urbanisation has meant that rural and agricultural needs are often neglected - policy must identify and assist those willing and able to farm
any successful land reform programme must include the identification and release of urban and peri-urban land for settlement, housing and job creation, as well as reform of ownership and use of land suitable for farming
a high degree of decentralisation of both policy development and implementation is required for successful land reform
ownership structures need to facilitate economic activity and much greater post-settlement support is needed, as is much more complete integration of black farmers into the established farming community
the slow pace of processing and settling the remaining land restitution claims is creating uncertainty, delaying investment, and generally having negative impacts on agricultural production.
