|
[Home ] [ About
SA]
Rural development and land reform
The implementation of rural development is expected to result
in vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities and
food security for all. The essence of such a community would
be measured through:
- food security
- rapid and sustained economic growth
- intellectual development
- environmental sustainability
- healthy rural communities
- political maturity
- social stability and growth
- self-reliant and confident communities
- fairness in line with the Bill of Rights
- social cohesion.
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform’s strategy to achieve sustainable rural development is “agrarian
transformation”. It will focus on establishing rural business
initiatives, cooperatives, cultural initiatives, agro-industries
and rural settings; empowering rural people and communities
(especially women and the youth); and upgrading economic,
social, information and communications infrastructure and
public amenities and facilities in villages and small rural towns.
Did you know?
By April 2010, the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform completed the development of the Green
Paper on Agrarian Transformation, Rural Development and
Land Reform. This Green Paper is intended to culminate in a new land
policy framework and legislation, which should consolidate all
land-related laws.
|
[Top]
Comprehensive Rural Development Programme(CRDP)
During 2009, the South African Government conceptualised the
Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP) [PDF].
The key thrust of the CRDP framework is an integrated
programme of rural development, land reform and agrarian
change, with a strategic focus on social cohesion and
development.
The CRDP is premised on three phases:
- Phase One, which
focuses on meeting basic human needs
- Phase Two, which
has large-scale infrastructure development as drive
- Phase Three, with the emergence of rural industrial and credit
financial sectors, which is driven by small, medium and microenterprises
and village markets.
The department has implemented the CRDP in 21 sites
throughout South Africa and aims to roll this out to 160 sites
by 2014. Lessons learnt from these CRDP sites indicate that
the challenges in rural areas include:
- underutilisation and/or
unsustainable use of natural resources
- poor or lack of access
to socio-economic and cultural infrastructure and services,
public amenities and facilities and government services
- lack
of access to clean water or lack of water resources for both
household and agricultural development
- low literacy, skills
levels and migratory labour practices
- decay of the social
fabric
- unexploited opportunities in agriculture, tourism,
mining and manufacturing.
In each area where the CRDP is being implemented, a new
vibrancy has been created around working together, involving
communities, the three spheres of government and the private
sector. This has enabled communities to mobilise resources
from all sectors of government to enhance delivery.
An inclusive CRDP stakeholder participation model has
been developed in the form of the Council of Stakeholders. This council
functions as a partner in planning, implementation and
monitoring. Through this inclusive body, communities
themselves have become central to their own development.
Through the work undertaken at the CRDP sites, and in
conjunction with fellow departments at national, provincial
and local government level, the Department of Rural
Development and Land Reform erected infrastructure such
as housing, water, sanitation, pack-sheds, community halls,
multipurpose centres, fencing, early childhood development
centres, satellite police stations and renovated schools and
clinics.
The department initiated a new youth skills development
and employment programme, the National Rural Youth Service
Corps [PDF]. The main goal is to develop a cadre of young community
paraprofessionals and artisans who will take responsibility for
the development of their own communities.
Four young people, of whom one must be a person with
a disability, are expected to be enlisted into the programme
from each of the 2 872 rural wards. At least 50% of these must
be women.
The contractual period, including the training period is 24
months. This process will lead to the employment and skilling
of almost 12 000 youths, of whom almost 3 000 should be
youth with disabilities.
Did you know?
Riemvasmaak was chosen as a pilot site for the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme [PDF] in the Northern
Cape during 2009 when the last portion of the community’s
land claim was finalised. By April 2010, the following had
been achieved:
- the Provincial Government constructed a handling facility and
livestock water point at Sending (Mission)
- fruit trees and seedlings were distributed at Vredesvallei
- construction of the healthcare facility had commenced
- the Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development obtained an office in Kakamas
- the department embarked on veterinary campaigns to ensure livestock health in the area
- the department was testing all bore holes on new farms as well
as constructing handling facilities for new farms
- border fences were upgraded
- the department also developed an infrastructure plan for the
46 000 ha that were handed over in 2009.
|
[Top]
Land reform
The introduction of the CRDP [PDF], of which land reform is
an integral part, has necessitated that the approach be
overhauled and new strategies adopted. While achieving
equitable distribution of land remains a fundamental policy of
government, there is an even more urgent need to ensure
that land reform is measured not only through equity but also
through productivity, leading to enhanced food security for all,
job creation and skills training among beneficiaries.
Categorisation of land needs
From April 2010, the department is implementing stringent
criteria to meet the different land needs of beneficiaries. The
land needs of qualifying beneficiaries are divided into three
categories.
The first category comprises a large majority of landless
poor who need some land for shelter and some for household
food production. This group includes about 2,8 million people
who live on commercial farm land without any security of
tenure; landless poor who live in and around rural small towns
without meaningful incomes; and people from overcrowded
former homelands.
The Land Redistribution
Programme will meet these land needs by providing small units of land to
accommodate their specific needs. A support package to
meet these specific needs was being developed and was
expected to be implemented during 2010/11.
The second category comprises small-scale farmers with
proven ability and commitment to farm but who do not have
the means to expand as they do not have enough land, access
to finance and the required technical support. This category
is largely found in communal areas and on commercial farms.
It is in this area where the department aims to intensify
production discipline, skills development, mentorship and job
creation as conditions for government support.
The third category consists of relatively established black
farmers who are already entrepreneurs. They largely achieved
their success despite limited or lack of government support.
The department will measure the successful implementation
of land reform through the number of jobs created,
increased incomes and a critical mass of successful farmers
who will contribute to the gross domestic product and balance
of payments.
Land redistribution
The Redistribution Programme is largely implemented through
the Provision of Land and Assistance Act, 1993 [PDF].
By 2010, 5,9 million ha of land had been acquired through
redistribution and restitution.
The tenure issues of millions of South Africans living and
working on farms, and in communal areas and small rural
towns remain a challenge for government.
[Top]
Recapitalisation and development
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform prioritises the recapitalisation and development of all distressed
land-reform projects implemented since 1994.
The department will establish strategic partnerships to
provide technical support to all struggling land-reform projects
by working with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries; the Department of Water Affairs; the Land Bank;
and social partners in the private sector.
The department will conduct farm assessments and develop
credible development plans as conditions for support, through
social contracts with all beneficiaries.
Among the conditions that will be attached to assistance,
production discipline will be paramount. Twenty-five percent
of the department’s baseline allocation will be set aside for this
purpose. This funding will complement other funding provided
by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and
provincial equitable share of relevant provincial government
departments.
Recapitalisation and development will be further extended
to black farmers in distress who are struggling to meet their
loan obligations with the Land Bank and other financial
institutions.
The recapitalisation and development initiative of the
department underscores the seriousness of government in
ensuring that there is food security for all.
Land administration
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform aims to provide value-added public land
information and support services to clients and to ensure
the efficient administration of state land.
Land-rights management
The department aims to provide tenure security that
creates socio-economic opportunities for people on farms
and in communal areas to ensure vibrant and sustainable
communities characterised by social cohesion and
development.
Geo-spatial services, technology development and disaster management
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform is responsible for the national control
survey network, the national mapping and aerial imagery
programmes and the provision of geo-spatial information
services.
Cadastral survey management
The Cadastral Survey Management Branch aims to provide
efficient cadastral survey-management services and
cadastral information services in support of land delivery and
development.
Deeds registration
The 10 deeds registries are located in Pretoria, Cape Town,
Johannesburg, Pietermaritzburg, Bloemfontein, Kimberley,
King William's Town, Vryburg, Mthatha and Nelspruit. These
offices register deeds and documents relating to real rights
in more than eight million registered land parcels consisting
of township erven, farms, agricultural holdings, sectional
title units and sectional title exclusive-use areas. This is done in terms of
the Deeds Registries Act, 1937 [PDF] and the Sectional Titles Act,
1986 [PDF].
Commission on the Restitution of Land
Rights (CRLR)
The Commission on the Restitution of Land
Rights is a statutory body set up in terms of the Restitution
of Land Rights Act, 1994 [PDF], as amended. The role of the
commission is to provide redress to victims of dispossession
of rights in land, as a result of racially discriminatory laws and
practices that took place after 19 June 1913.
The overall approach in settling the 3 909 outstanding
claims will be in line with the principles of the CRDP, focusing
among other things on the profiling of households and the
employment creation model as well as building capacity for
conflict resolution.
The department aims to complete research on all the
outstanding land claims by December 2011.
Source: Pocket Guide to South Africa 2010/11
Editor: D Burger. Government Communication and Information
System
[Top]
Last modified: 03 April 2012 15:32:38.
. |
