GNU must prioritise provision of title deeds to black farmers on state-owned land

8 August 2024

After decades of inaction, an opportunity exists for the Government of National Unity to decisively address one of the most pressing issues facing South Africa’s agricultural sector - the lack of secure land tenure for black farmers on state-owned land.

The Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mzwanele Nyhontso, should stop wasting time engaging in unhelpful issues like amending Section 25 of the Constitution, and instead focus on coming up with a cogent plan of how the 7th administration will provide title deeds to black farmers who have been farming on state-owned land through short term leases.

The government is said to be sitting on 2 million hectares of land which it acquired through the proactive land acquisition strategy and has been leasing out to emerging farmers through short-term lease agreements. The downside to this insecure tenure is that it acts as a significant barrier to the growth and sustainability of these farmers’ operations.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s commitment to increasing funding for land reform and prioritizing the transfer of state land is commendable. However, it is crucial that these promises translate into immediate action. Some farmers on these short-term lease agreements have developed successful farming enterprises but their long-term growth is inhibited by their inability to secure agricultural finance due to lack of secure land tenure.

The provision of title deeds is not merely a matter of formality; it is a vital instrument for empowering farmers to secure financing, expand their operations, and contribute meaningfully to the agricultural economy. Without secure land tenure, these farmers are unable to access the necessary capital to transform their farms into commercially viable enterprises that can create jobs and uplift communities.

It is imperative that in handing out these title deeds, the process must be transparent, free from bureaucratic red tape and persistent corruption. Instances where successful black farmers have been unjustly removed from their land due to corrupt practices within the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development are unacceptable and must be swiftly addressed.

The GNU must take decisive steps to ensure that black farmers receive the title deeds they deserve, along with the necessary support to thrive. This is about correcting historical injustices as well as building a sustainable and inclusive future for South Africa's agriculture.

Issued by Mlindi Nhanha, DA Spokesperson on Land Reform and Rural Development, 8 August 2024