Cape Town – President Jacob Zuma says the country’s socio-economic challenges cannot be addressed without reclaiming dispossessed land.
He said land is at the centre of land reform and economic growth.
It is for this reason that traditional leaders should put land claims at the top of their list of priorities as without land, it was not possible for farming communities to thrive.
The President said this when he addressed the opening of the National House of Traditional Leaders at the Old Assembly Chamber in Cape Town on Thursday.
“The dispossession of our land is the source of the poverty and inequality which have become the ugly hallmark of our nation and an impediment to a future of shared prosperity,” he said.
When President Zuma addressed traditional leaders last year, he asked them to join hands and work together on one single land claim, assemble a strong legal team to do extensive research on dispossessed land spanning to over a century ago, before the 1913 Land Act was signed into law.
He said instead of lodging competing claims, traditional leaders should all join their efforts in claiming land on behalf of their communities.
On Thursday, the President said he was glad to hear that progress has been made in this regard.
“I strongly believe that access to land and security of land tenure are key to development, especially agricultural development. Land reform lies at the centre of government’s efforts to bring about inclusive economic development. It is at the centre of the NDP [National Development Plan].
“I urge traditional leaders to thoughtfully and actively engage with the matter of land reform on behalf of the communities they lead.
“I am raising this as we can talk about agriculture and food security but without access to land, our people cannot plough and feed themselves or contribute to economic growth,” he said.
Help for drought-affected communities
The President said with five provinces having been declared drought disaster areas, government was increasing efforts to ensure that affected farmers and communities receive the assistance that is needed to alleviate the impact.
He said a drought relief package has been put together and will focus on a number of factors, including the identification of land for the relocation of livestock, the revitalisation of feedlots, the drilling and equipment of boreholes, auctioning sales of livestock, the creation of firebreaks and the provision of feed and water for livestock.
President Zuma said interventions are being sent to areas where existing water infrastructure is not functional due to drought and where there are no alternative means for water supply.
He also said government is assisting where water sources have dried up due to drought and communities do not have any alternative means for water supply.
The President said the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has reprioritised funds to provide livestock feed and water to affected farmers; the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform has reallocated budget for livestock feed, livestock water, firebreaks, feedlots and auction sales and the Department of Water and Sanitation has reprioritised funds for the provision of water for human consumption.
The Department of Cooperative Governance, through the National Disaster Management Centre, will augment funding from the Disaster Grants in case resources made available locally and provincially are exhausted, the President said.
“There are shortfalls and there is still a need for assistance on the ground. It is a difficult period for farmers and communities alike.
“But working together, we will overcome this hardship. We always overcome our challenges because we work together as South Africans when faced with difficulties.”
Traditional leaders urged to join fight against racism
Meanwhile, the President urged traditional leaders to unite and join hands with all South Africans to promote nation building and fight against racism.
He said on the National Day Against Racism and Human Rights Day, to be held on 21 March 2016, the Department of Arts and Culture will lead nationwide campaigns and commemorations against the scourge.
“We urge traditional leaders to join the campaign against racism in their areas, including participation in the National Day Against Racism on 21 March 2016, Human Rights Day, in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
“Let all South Africans speak in one voice on March 21 and every other day, and say we are united against racism and that together we will continue to build a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
