10 August 2006
The Minister for Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs, Ms Lulu
Xingwana, united the community of Salem by handing over their land, which was
dispossessed by white people in 1947. This farm is situated 20 kilometres south
of Grahamstown.
The event was also blessed with the presence of MEC for Agriculture, Mr
Gugile Nkwinti. The Salem community could not hold themselves with joy of
getting back the land belonged to their forefathers after a period of 60 years.
But still only three farms have been received out of five. The Minister is
still negotiating with the current owners of the land, and giving a notice of
restitution to those that are still refusing to give back the land.
âSection 42E of the Land Restitution Rights Act allows us to expropriate
after six months if they are refusing to lease the land.â These are the words
spoken by the Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs, Ms Lulu Xingwana, when
she was delivering her speech to the people of Salem. She also mentioned that
she is left with only two years, and 2008 is the target to finish with land
claims and however she is determined to bring back the land to their
owners.
Speaking about the issue of sustainability of land, she mentioned that the
community should not just enjoy the land restitution; they should also make
plans to work and produce something on the land. âLet us not make ourselves a
laughing stock, because white people will say that they seized and failed to
make use of the land, roll up your sleeves and work, wealth does not come on
its own and remember that rights come with responsibility,â she said.
The MEC for Agriculture, Mr Gugile Nkwinti, also gave a message of support,
he said, âTake off your ties and work the land you are given.â He promised to
monitor and check if they are using the land properly.
The chairman of the Salem Land Claim Committee, Mthuthuzeli Madinda who is
also one of the claimants for this land said, âWe already have a plan for this
land which is called Amabhoxo Development Plan which addresses the issues of
ploughing fields, establishment of security committee to safeguard the assets
of the obtained farms against theft and vandalism. He also mentioned that
loosing their land made their community to scatter all over because of poverty,
and the white people are still prosecuting people, so it is not yet over. The
minister promised them that she will be back in Eastern Cape again next month
(August) to fix the problem of prosecution.
Enquiries:
Zoleka Dondolo
Tel: (040) 609 3965
Cell: 082 771 7152
Fikile Black
Cell: 082 578 1437
Tel: (040) 609 3486
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Eastern Cape Provincial
Government
10 August 2006
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za)
