Restitution financial voucher hand-over ceremony
The Commission on Restitution of Land Rights through the Office of the Regional Land Claims Commissioner for Gauteng Province adhered to this year heritage month’s theme of “reclaiming, restoring and celebrating our living heritage”. The office celebrated heritage month through the awarding of restitution financial vouchers for the settlement of land claims lodged on behalf of the Mahlangu and Msiza families.
The ceremony took place on the 21st of September 2015 and Chief Director in the Office of the Regional Land Claims Commissioner for Gauteng Province, Ms Cindy Benyane, handed over the restitution financial vouchers to the verified and validated beneficiaries at the regional lodgement site in Arcadia, Pretoria.
The settlement of these land claims is the fundamental mandate of the Restitution of Land Rights Act of 1994 as amended, which makes provision for the prioritisation of claims lodged in the previous lodgement period which the cut-off date was 31 December 1998.
“The Mahlangu and Msiza families occupied the claimed properties in 1960 and 1946 respectively” said Mr Mkhacani Makamu, the operational manager for the office. In his brief background on the merits of the land claimed he further highlighted that both families enjoyed rights in land in the form of labour tenancy rights and beneficial occupation until they were forcefully removed through racially motivated practises and dispossession.
He further explained that through the research process, it was identified that in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, a significant number of land claims lodged in the previous lodgement period are from the former farm workers who in turn accrued labour tenants land rights. The practice of labour tenancy allowed white farmers through discriminatory laws and practices to impose a system where black labour tenants worked on the farm for a period of time in return to occupy certain part of the farm.
Before issuing the financial vouchers, Ms Benyane indicated that in compliance with the Restitution of Land Rights Act, the beneficiaries are provided with a workshop on the different land settlement options available which are land restoration, alternative land, financial compensation or a combination. The families opted for financial compensation as a form of redress in lieu of the rights lost on portion (remaining extent) of the farm Brandbach 471 JR and portion 5 of the farm Oude Zwaanskraal 542 JR respectively.
“In effecting the restitution mandate through the settlement of land claims, the office not only provides redress in terms of land matters, but acknowledges the hardship endured by the families. Restoring dignity and heritage to beneficiaries is the core significance of a family’s land history and existence. Land history is a vital and strong link to the identity and heritage of a family” said Ms Benyane.
The event will be a memorable occasion for the beneficiaries and the office is proud to be effecting reversal of the 1913 legacy of past discriminatory laws and practices.
For further enquiries, please contact:
Kamogelo Gaokgwathe
Client Liaison and Communication
Tel: 012 310 6637
Cell: 076 612 6177
Email: Kamogelo.Gaokgwathe@drdlr.gov.za
