claims handover celebration, Riverton
2 September 2006
The MEC for Agriculture,
The Chief Land Claims Commissioner, Mr Tozi Gwanya,
The Regional Land Claims, Sugar Ramakarane,
Executive Mayor of Francis Baardt, Councillor Achmat Florence,
Executive Mayor of Sol Plaatjie Municipality, Councillor Peta Lenyibi,
Local municipality mayors,
Members of the media,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen, Bo - Mme le Bo Ntate,
Dumelang, goeiemore,
I am very happy to be here today to celebrate with the Droogfontein
community the successful settling of their claim. As we celebrate this claim we
should remember those who passed on while waiting for their claims to be
finalised. Their struggle and contributions towards the settlement of these
claims should not go unnoticed. Let their spirits be with us today as we
finally enjoy the restitutions following the hardships this community
suffered.
Droogfontein is one of the big claims we have in the Northern Cape. The size
of the farm, which is being handed over to the Droogfontein community today, is
about 12 057 hectares (ha) in size. We bought this land from Mr Piet Els. Let
me ask Mr Els to go out and tell all the prophets of doom saying there are
âland grabsâ that we have paid him the market-related price of R43,9
million.
Initially he opposed the claim on the basis that it was invalid; this land
could never have belonged to blacks, and blacks were only labour tenants on the
land. He came to accept the truth that, in fact, the first white man who came
to the farm, Mr Tom Hill, found the people on the land. Mr Els will continue to
farm in this area, with far more than 2 000 ha and will thereby become the good
neighbour of the Droogfontein community. This will be nothing new to you as the
community. Before apartheid divided us, people lived in harmony, helping one
another with various farming activities. I am told Mr Hill shared the use of
oxen with this community. On arrival, he asked for a small area of land, which
he was given kindly by the locals. However, then he later took over the entire
land, assisted by the former Government through their systematic racial laws
and practices. The 1947 to 1952 forced removals were similar to many that
happened all over this country. These forced removals left so many people poor
as they were now removed from agriculture and their rural livelihoods.
With our new democracy in 1994 we said it cannot be business as usual. We
cannot pretend that we are satisfied with 87 percent of our agricultural land
in the hands of only 10 percent of our population. It was for this reason that
one of the fundamental issues agreed on in our Constitution was the issue of
land rights. The Restitution Act gave effect to the priority of redress. The
Restitution Act is a catalyst in ensuring that there is equitable land
redistribution among South Africans and that the injustices of land
dispossessions dating as far back as June 1913 are addressed effectively.
During the Land Summit in 2005 we stated:
* âNever again shall there be land dispossessions in South Africaâ
* âNever again shall anyone be denied the right to win land, based on the
colour of their skinâ
* âNever again shall our people be confined to working land which does not feed
them.â
There are some people who are going around spreading doubt about the ability
of this Government to deliver on its promises. Some of them had an opportunity
with the previous white Government; however, they did nothing to address the
needs of black people. Some of them have no idea what it is to govern. Today we
are here to say to the people of Droogfontein, âThis is your land, you are now
landowners and no longer tenantsâ. This indeed shows the commitment of this
ANC-led Government in redressing as well as addressing the skewed ownership of
land in this country. Go out and tell all the âdoubting Thomasesâ that today
you have got your land back. Go and tell them that this Government has given
you R395 160 to assist you with farming activities on this land. Go and inform
them that we have allocated Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP)
funding to this provincial department of agriculture for assisting you in your
farming activities. Go and tell them you are now getting social grants. Inform
them you are now able to talk to your Government; it is the people you have
elected that are in government.
Some of you are fortunate because they are the ones who experienced the real
hardship of dispossession and they are still here to witness as Government
delivers on its promise of putting land rights in the correct hands as
stipulated in the Freedom Charter.
The settlement of Droogfontein and Vaalbos demonstrates the achievement the
Commission has made so far. Most of the claims which are in the nodal areas of
Kgalagadi and Galeshewe have been settled. In the Kgalagadi the claims settled
include Grootvlakfontein, Khuis, Kono and Ronandvlei.
The relationship with other organs of state (spheres of government) has
enabled claimants to reap the benefits of the sustainable settlement of their
claims. In particular, the partnership with the Department of Agriculture and
participation in the Land Reform Co-ordinating Committee has resulted in CASP
funding for the fencing of Khuis and construction of their dams;
Grootvlakfontein fencing for subdivision; and Kono benefited through LandCare
and CASP concerning livestock and fencing. Agricultural implements were
provided. The Khomani San benefited by means of water reticulation and fencing,
including land care. Majeng was assisted with fencing of outer boundaries and
subdivision of the farm. We have handed over valuable land to the claimant
communities in this province, including land with mineral rights.
Ladies and gentlemen, as we celebrate here today, we should also acknowledge
the challenges facing the Commission in settling these claims. The biggest
threat to sustainability and stability within most claimant communities is lack
of cohesion and competing interests brought about by external forces. In the
majority of cases, potential business/strategic partners resort to unorthodox
methods to leverage support of Community Property Association (CPA) executive
members. In this way the community is left behind and these âhawksâ conclude
deals that enrich themselves through projects which take place on the land
which is now owned by the community.
Beware of these rascals! Some of their tricks include:
* pressurising your Committee members to sign lease agreements without a
community decision on these leases
* assisting you with business plans, while the benefits from such business
plans flow to them and not to the community
* getting the committee to give them Power of Attorney, where they take all
decisions about the use of your land without your knowledge. In some cases they
even sell your land and you only become aware of this after the land is
gone
* they drop big names, persuading you to easily believe them. They are well
dressed and speak nicely; however, they leave you with a bitter taste.
Trust this Government that has bought this land for you. Consult with our
officials; consult with the office of the MEC. Get expert advice from
trustworthy people who have a genuine interest in your welfare. The provincial
government has committed its support to the restitution process. The MEC's
office has seconded staff to the Commissionâs office precisely to fast-track
land delivery and agrarian development in this province. We are appealing to
you to utilise the land optimally and sustainably.
We have signed trade agreements with China, where interest is shown in South
African goats, oranges and other agricultural products. This land is eminently
suitable for goat and game farming, tourism, etc. We want you to have dreams
that will be realised on this land that you now own. Let your plans be known to
all the interested parties, who can help you to fulfil your dreams.
Ke tla itumela thata fa mmu o le ka o dirisa sentle gore o tle o tswele bana
ba lona le dikokomane tsa lona mosola mo isagong. Re le Puso re ka lebolegela
kemonokeng ya lona go netefatsa tiriso ya leruri ya lefatshe le.
As government we will ensure that:
* South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white
* the people shall share in the wealth of the country
* the land shall be shared among those who work on it â men and women.
Malibongwe! Igama Lamakhosikazi!
Igama lamakhosikazi! Malibongwe!
Ngiyabonga.
Issued by: Department of Agriculture
2 September 2006
Source: Department of Agriculture (http://www.nda.agric.za)
