Pretoria – Cabinet has emphasised the importance of partnerships between multi ethnic communities which contributes to social cohesion.
This comes after government had compensated communities who were moved from their land in Skukuza, in the Kruger National Park.
President Jacob Zuma handed a total of R84 million to six communities, three from Limpopo, and three from Mpumalanga. In terms of land area, this portion measured 318 000 hectares.
Addressing a post Cabinet briefing in Cape Town, on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Jeff Radebe, said the settlement model took into account the significance of the Kruger National Park and assured viable financial compensation as claimants were not able to return to their land.
“This is in line with equitable redress under government’s land restitution programme and marks an important milestone in the country’s transformation programme,” the Minister said.
Minister Radebe said in further empowering these communities, a 1 percent community tourism fund has been generating approximately R6.5 million per annum for community beneficiation.
This, according to Minister Radebe, has resulted in the building of a number of education facilities, including an administration block at Dumisani High School, a computer laboratory at Masiza High School, science laboratories at Tlakulani and Sibusisiswe high schools, a kitchen facility and a playground for Grade R learners at Takheleni Primary School.
In 2016/17, in consultation with the affected communities, the building of four science laboratories in Mbuyane High School, Mahlale Secondary School, Lepato High School and Makuya Secondary School, covering both Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces have been prioritised.
South Africa’s land restitution model is evolving based on prior experiences and is now underpinned by creating sustainable economic benefit rather than the troubled once-off financial transfers which often left communities no better off.
Phase two of the settlement claim will consist of projects aimed at ensuring the communities continue to benefit in the longer term from business opportunities within the Park.
In June 2014, government reopened the lodgement of land claims for those communities/people who missed the initial deadline.
Government has set a new deadline for land claims to 30 June 2019 for people who were removed from their land after 19 June 1913.
As at 31 March 2016, the Commission had settled a total of 78 750 land claims resulting in transfer of 3.3 hectares of land to beneficiaries. – SAnews.gov.za
