Deputy President Paul Mashatile says today’s handover of title deeds to the Sebilong community, situated near Thabazimbi in Limpopo, restores ownership and secure tenure to 1 071 verified beneficiaries from the 89 originally dispossessed households.
“The claim was settled through a combination of land restoration and financial compensation, and a Communal Property Association was established as the legal entity to hold and administer the restored land,” Mashatile said.
Speaking at an event to hand over title deeds to the Sebilong community on Friday, Mashatile said the title deeds provide legal certainty and form the basis for productive land use, economic participation and long-term development.
“Government remains clear that land restitution must contribute to sustainable livelihoods and local economic development,” Mashatile said.
He told the successful land claimants that the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development is providing post settlement support, including funding for development initiatives and support in preparation for a comprehensive business plan.
“The aim of this support is to ensure the productive use of the restored land, adhering to sound governance and development principles.
“Effective governance of communal property is essential to safeguarding restored land and ensuring that it benefits both current and future generations,” the Deputy President said.
Mashatile said the restoration of Farm Zwartkop 369 KQ is a clear demonstration of government’s ongoing work to redress historical injustices, and to advance land reform as a key element of inclusive growth and rural development.
“Our government is reversing the 1913 Natives Land Act legacy through a comprehensive land reform programme focusing on restitution, redistribution and tenure reform. Key actions include returning land to dispossessed communities and implementing the Restitution of Land Rights Act.
“This Act, passed in 1994, was designed to restore land or provide equitable redress to persons and communities dispossessed under racially discriminatory laws. Its objectives are to foster reconciliation, to enable land ownership for victims of forced removals, and to promote development through restorative justice,” he said.
Mashatile said as the country marks Freedom Month, a time when people reflect on the sacrifices that brought democracy and the responsibilities that come with it, as a country we are reminded that true freedom must be lived in the soil beneath our feet.
“Without land, freedom remains incomplete. I have always maintained that the handing over of a title deed is far more than a legal transaction.
“It is the restoration of justice for the people. It is the handing over of dignity, recognition, and justice to people who were once stripped of their land and identity. It is the return of identity, the restoration of belonging and the renewal of hope,” he said.
Mashatile told the beneficiaries that as a community, they have a huge responsibility to use the land productively.
“Let it be a source of food security, of jobs for the youth, of opportunities for your women and other vulnerable groups, and a source of wealth for your families,” he said.
Chairperson of the Communal Property Association (CPA), Boitshoko Tisane, said people must rejoice as the land has been brought back.
“Today is about restoration of justice. Our grandfathers were forcefully removed from their land. They were forced to work for white farmers,” he said.
Tisane thanked government for granting them the opportunity to reclaim their land, saying they are going to create jobs.
“Government alone cannot create jobs, we as the community must play our part and create jobs,” he said.
Also speaking at the same event was the Thabazimbi Mayor Andries Tshukhudu who told guests that today was not just a ceremony but a moment of restoration for the community of Sebilong.
“Our land was forcefully taken from our people in a painful way, today we are thankful to the government for bringing our land back peacefully,” Tshukudu said.
Tshukudu said although it took long, they are now happy that their land has been brought back.
“As the people of Sebilong, we started the process of land claim with the hope that one day, our land will be brought back to us,” he said.
The Sebilong community successfully lodged their land claim with the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights more than a decade ago.
According to local community members, the Sebilong Land Claim was lodged by Lazasrus Nkale Tisane on behalf of 89 originally dispossessed households totaling 1 071 verified beneficiaries.
The claimed land is Farm Zwartkop 369 KQ, which consists of 21 portions located within the Thabazimbi local municipality, which is located in the Waterberg District.
After the claim was approved, the CPA opted for both land restoration and financial compensation. – SAnews.gov.za
