Speech by
Mr MV Ngema MP
Consideration of Report of PC on Agriculture and Land Affairs 

Madame Speaker,

Government’s land reform programme, which consists of redistribution, restitution and tenure reform, is at the heart of their land policy. In recent times the success, or lack thereof, of this programme has come under the spotlight especially when it became obvious that the goal of 30% redistribution of agricultural land would not be reached in the set time frame.

The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Land Affairs conducted public hearings on the ‘Pace of Land Reform in South Africa’ on the 18 – 20 October 2004. An indication of the importance of this issue and the many people that if affects could be witnessed by the number of submissions that were received from a diverse spectrum of people and organisations. A total of 61 written submissions were received from various stakeholders, 34 of whom appeared before the Committee for oral presentations.

These public hearings were very constructive and informative as many important issues and concerns were raised. Included among these was the apparent slow pace of land reform as well as certain aspects within the Department, including their administrative capacity, which might have contributed to the slow progress made thus far.

The Committee has carefully noted and considered the various issues raised during the public hearings and has in turn commented and made recommendation based on the various submissions received.

We, in the IFP, believe that the pace of land reform has been very slow thus far and not enough progress has been made in this regard. If the Department is to achieve its targets within the revised deadline, then drastic measures need to be taken.

This Report can be very useful to the Department as it highlights the concerns of the people directly affected by their land reform programme. The recommendations of the Committee need to be taken to heart and acted upon as they can play an important role in assisting the Department to identify areas of concern and take action in areas that have to be improved upon in order to ensure the success of the land reform programme.

The IFP encourages the Minister to take the opportunity presented by this report to drive home to the entire Government the point that the Land Reform Programme cannot be allowed to take a back seat in the priorities of Government. The land issue is not only a sensitive matter, but it also has the potential to become the number one problem undermining our democracy. The marches and protests that we are seeing are strong indicators of the seriousness with which this matter should be viewed.

As a proactive move this Government must come to a point where it views the R6 billion allocated to complete the Land Restitution Programme as the first significant investment to land reform in order to achieve an estimated budget of R30 billion in 10 years as suggested by the Agricultural Business Consultancy in their submission.

The Portfolio Committee is lending support to the Minister by highlighting this important matter to Parliament. Throwing “lack of funds” at this challenge will not make it go away.

Strategic planning on this matter accompanied by a significant budget, as well as efficient and effective delivery on the plans will go a long way towards achieving a common understanding that we all wish for in settling the land question in this country beyond doubt.