A New Era of Land Justice: Deputy President Mashatile's Commitment

Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

In a bold move to address the historical injustices of land dispossession, Deputy President Paul Mashatile has vowed to utilize the Expropriation Act to promote land justice in South Africa.

The Expropriation Act, signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa, outlines provisions for land expropriation with "just and equitable" compensation, aiming to provide a stronger framework for advancing land reform and restitution.

The legacy of apartheid-era land dispossession continues to haunt South Africa, with many communities still displaced from their ancestral lands. The 1913 Natives Land Act, which led to the forced removal of people from productive land and their relocation to native reserves, has had a lasting impact on the country's social and economic fabric. Mashatile's commitment to land reform is a crucial step towards addressing these historical injustices.

The Expropriation Bill provides a framework for land expropriation with "just and equitable" compensation, enabling the government to advance land reform and restitution. Mashatile's determination to implement this policy "whether they like it or not" underscores the government's resolve to tackle the complex issue of land ownership.

In a significant step towards restoring land rights, Mashatile recently officiated the handing over of title deeds to the Qelana and Qolombana communities in the Eastern Cape, near Mthatha. These communities were dispossessed of their land during the apartheid era, specifically through the Betterment Policy, which reduced indigenous ownership to "Permission to Occupy" status.

The handover ceremony marked a milestone in the government's efforts to address the legacy of apartheid-era land dispossession. The Qelana community lost their land in 1957 and 1963, while the Qolombana community suffered dispossession in 1936 and 1963. Through the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights, the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development settled the land claim, with the claimant communities opting for restoration of their land as a form of redress.

Mashatile's commitment to land reform is not just about redistributing land; it's about promoting justice, equality, and economic growth. By addressing the historical injustices of land dispossession, the government aims to create a more equitable society, where all South Africans have access to land and economic opportunities.

Deputy President Mashatile's vow to utilize the Expropriation Act and his recent actions in restoring land rights to the Qelana and Qolombana communities are significant steps towards promoting land justice in South Africa. The government's commitment to land reform is unwavering, and its determination to address the legacy of apartheid-era land dispossession is a crucial step towards creating a more just and equitable society. As the country embarks on this new era of land justice, one thing is certain: the future of South Africa's land reform agenda looks brighter than ever.