Cabinet has called on all South Africans to use the current debate around land reform to strengthen nation-building and social cohesion.
“The unfolding parliamentary process will bring clarity and allow us to move forward as a nation. The transparent, rules-based and constitutional process is in keeping with our commitment to jointly arrive at solutions for the betterment of society,” Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane said.
Mokonyane was briefing the media in Pretoria on Thursday, following a Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.
The Minister said Cabinet was convinced the debate process will allow government to determine a land reform model that works for everyone.
“By working together, we can build a better nation where the dreams and aspirations of all our people are realised.”
Government is proposing a review of Section 25 of the Constitution which will pave the way for the expropriation of land without compensation due to the fact that despite the country being 23 years into democracy, many South Africans remain dispossessed of land.
A land audit done by government revealed that only 13% of the land is in the hands of government, about 87% of the land is in the private sector while black South Africans still lag far behind and own only 4% of the land.
President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed an Inter-Ministerial Committee to coordinate and implement measures to accelerate the redistribution of land, extension of security of tenure, provision of agricultural support and the redress of spatial inequality, within a broad and comprehensive land redistribution and agricultural development programme. – SAnews.gov.za
