Land audit can help dispel myths surrounding landownership

28 September 2017

The long-awaited audit report on land in South Africa will hopefully be available soon to help dispel myths surrounding landownership as these myths are currently being used by politicians in their harmful rhetoric, says Dr Pieter Groenewald, leader of the FF Plus.

In response to a written parliamentary question by Dr Groenewald, the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, Gugile Nkwinti, said that the second phase of the land audit should be made available by the end of October this year.

The audit was considered by Cabinet in June and according to the Minister’s response, it was referred back to the Department so that final recommendations can be made.

Dr Groenewald says that the report has been a long time coming and that it will indicate, expressed in percentages, how much land is in the hands of white, black, brown and Indian people. Even the percentage of land in South Africa owned by foreigners will be indicated.

“The report is essential to dismiss the politicians’ rhetoric that whites own 80% of the country’s land, while it has already been shown that the government actually owns 14% of the land.

“The FF Plus hopes that the report will be thorough and accurate so that it can be used to put a stop to the harmful, seemingly popular, politically-motivated statements and so that we can approach land reform armed with the truth,” says Dr Groenewald.

Issued by Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus Leader, 28 September 2017