Madame Speaker,

The land reform process has been dragging on for a long time and has not been very effective and efficient during this time; we therefore hope that the dramatic political development of this past weekend will not further hinder this very important and necessary process and slow it down even more. 

Issues surrounding land reform, in particular the slow pace thereof, and the various obstacles which beneficiaries have to overcome when trying to develop their land, are very emotive and cause heated debate. It is therefore important that we do our utmost to ensure that any deficiencies within the various programmes are addressed so that there can be greater efficiency and also to ensure that the support needed is forthcoming to beneficiaries.

There have been cases where beneficiaries of land gained from redistribution and restitution are still unable to use this valuable resource to escape their lives of poverty. The various costs, and technical expertise, involved in maintaining and improving the land and making it economically viable are simply unaffordable, especially when farming equipment and other implements are removed after the departing owners' leave. The piece of legislation before us today can change this situation and in turn drastically improve the prospects and the lives of the many beneficiaries of the land reform programme.

It is important that a proper assessment is conducted of the property that has been earmarked to be acquired so as to ensure that this property is suitable for the intended purpose for which it will be acquired. This, together with the beneficiaries who have been chosen and the support that they are given, is vitally important to ensure that the exercise is not a waste of resources which is doomed to failure.

The IFP supports this bill.

Thank you

Contact:
N Singh MP
083 788 5954