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(The original PowerPoint presentation is available at http://www.gov.za/speeches/briefings01/didiza.ppt)

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AFFAIRS

VISION
An equitable and sustainable land dispensation that promotes social and economic development

MISSION
To provide access to land and to extend rights in land, with particular emphasis on the previously disadvantaged communities, within a well planned environment

RESTITUTION

Out of a total budget of R194 456 it is worth noting that :
* As at 31 August 2001 more than 63% of the budget had been spent in prioritized areas, including Dwesa Cwebein the Eastern Cape, Mbila-Mabaso in KZN,Boomplaats in Mpumalanga
* Commitments for Restitution depicts a picture that all allocated funds shall have be spent.

LAND AND TENURE REFORM

Out of a total budget of R414 319 000 for Land Reform Implementation :
* R 166 928 000 was spent and this constitute 36% up to 31 August 2001. For the same period last year the percentage was 11% and as a result an improvement has been achieved.

Breakdowns are depicted as follows :
* Redistribution (SLAG) - 60% (approved projects and balance of grants
* Labour Tenants - 5%
* Redistribution (LRAD) - 11 %%
* State land disposal - 1%

ACHIEVEMENTS FROM APRIL 2001 - AUGUST 2001

IMPLEMENTATION
* 23 Redistribution Project Approved Involving 213 Hhs & 12223ha)

LRAD:
The programme has been launched in Nkomazi, Provinces with the Land Bank so far has approved about 31 projects

State Land Disposal
* Approval Granted for Disposal of Land Under Dla 642 Ha Approved Disposal
* 28 458 Ha for Vesting (Eastern Cape)
* State Land Administration: Lease Agreements Renewed - 88 Mainly in North West

Labour Tenants Claims Settled
* Mpumalanga -21 Projects: 1078 Households, 16713 Hectares
* KwaZulu-Natal - 8 Projects: 426 Households, 3217 hectares

RESTITUTION OF LAND RIGHTS

* Since then the claims have moved to 12, 674 to date.
* Since February 2001, the following claims have been settled throughout the country, largely rural claims, involving substantial numbers of people as beneficiaries.

Gauteng and North West:
* Klipgat restoration (North West), Community - Rural.
* Kinde Estate restoration(North West), Family - Rural.
* Willem Klopperville financial compensation(Gauteng) - Urban.
* East Wood financial compensation (Gauteng) - Urban.

Mpumalanga
* Boomplaats restoration, Community - Rural.
* Kalkfontein restoration, Community - Rural.
* Steelpoortpark, Community -Rural

KwaZulu-Natal
* Mbila-Mabaso Restoration, Community - Rural.

Free Sate
* Marabastad financial compensation, Community - Urban.

Western Cape
* Langebaan restoration, Family - Urban
* Knysna, Community - Urban
* Tramway Road Community - Urban

Northern Province
* New Pietersburg financial compensation, Community - Urban

Eastern Cape
* Gwiji restoration, Family - Rural
* Dwesa-Cwebe restoration, Communities - Rural

CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS THE INTEGRATED SUSTAINABLE LAND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE.

The settlement of the following claims is certainly a contribution land restitution is making to the IRSDI.
* Dwesa-Cwebe - Eastern Cape, a rural claim involving seven communities who have succeeded in laying claim to land under nature conservation and biodiversity. Based on the principle of co-existence of rights the settlement involves the claimants as original owners receiving title to the land on the one hand, and the conservation authority, continuing to use the land for nature conservation and biodiversity, on the other hand, through a joint management arrangement with claimant representatives. Revenues generated through the use of land accrue to the claimants, whilst the land usage is not charged or compromised.
* Mbila-Mabaso in KwaZulu-Natal, two community claims changed also fall under the same category.
* Mbangweni restitution claim also in KwaZulu Natal also falls in this category.

COMMUNICATION WITH CLAIMANTS AND THE VALIDATION CAMPAIGN.

* I directed the Commission to embark on a validation campaign aimed at validating all outstanding claims to date, since lodgement in December 1998.
* The South African Government has allocated R5M and the Belgian Government is bringing R10M, to the party.
* The validation commenced on 1 July 2001 and will run until 30 June 2002.
* There are approximately 39 000 claims still to be validated.
* To date most service providers have been appointed and have commenced with this validation of claims.

Whilst validation is itself not the finalisation of the claim, it brings certainty to all parties involved, claimants, current landowners and other interested parties.

It paves the way for subsequent stages such as notification, verification of claimants, negotiation up to settlement, including post-settlement stage.

The National Call Centre has been established, funded by the National Development Agency (NDA). The Toll Free Number is 0800 700 900 and has been operational since 3 September 2001.

This will increase communication with claimants, not only these whose claims are being validated but also all claimants who may want to know the status of their claim.

LAND USE MANAGEMENT BILL (LUMB)

The Bill aims to regulate Spatial Planning and Land Use Management with the objective of enhancing equity and efficiency in our settlement patterns. Among the core thrusts of the Bill are;
* Establishment of a single effective and uniform national legislative and institutional framework for spatial planning and land use management
* Repealing of a range of existing, and often contradictory and confusing, planning laws and ordinances that exist in the country. The vast majority of such laws and ordinances were formulated and pasted before 1994. The Development and Facilitation Act (67 of 1997) did not deal with the repealing of previous planning laws and ordinances.

SPATIAL INFORMATION BILL (SIB)

The SIB aims to;
* Regulate the collection, management and use of spatial information
* Give effect to the constitutional right of access to information which information is required for the exercise of a right
* Maximise access to and use of spatial information in development and governance

The draft Bill was circulated in December 2000. National workshops were held in February 2001 and the redrafting completed in June 2001. DLA is in the process of forwarding the Bill to Parliament.

PLANNING PROFFESSION BILL (PPB)

The PPB aims to;
* Regulate and transform the planning profession
* Establish the South African Council of Planners
* Regulate the registration into the planning profession
* Maintain high technical and ethical standards and integrity within the profession

The Bill was submitted to Parliament in August 2001 and is expected to pass during the current session.

NEW PROVINCIAL MAPS

* The Department of Land Affairs has revised the Provincial Map series
* These maps depict the new local government boundaries
* Each Province is shown on a separate map sheet as shown on the next slides

NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

AGRICULTURE - INFRASTRUCTURE REHABILITATION, SUPPORT SYSTEMS, INCREASING COMPETITIVENESS

Agreed
* Farmer Support Centres in rural development nodes
* 11 irrigation schemes in Northern Provinces
* Rehabilitation of FMD affected areas start
* Implementation of diesel fuel rebate by 2001
* Formulating the agricultural sector strategy
* Implementation of the Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development
* Drafting of the biotechnology strategy
* Strengthening regulatory services
* To participate in the preparation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development
* To lead the agricultural sector in MAP
* Promote competitiveness and trade by participating in regional (SADC) and international forums (WTO)

Progress
* Lambasi in the Lusikisiki district has been launched;
* 4 schemes covering 1841 ha [affecting 1448 farmers] have been rehabilitated in the Northern Province;
* Interim disaster mitigation actions undertaken in Sankonje and Mophele;
* Comprehensive "Post Foot and Mouth disease project proposal being developed with IDT;
* Fence construction around Kruger Park is in progress
* Diesel fuel rebate - implemented;

Critical Issues
* Consensus building between government and farmers on necessary support measures underway. Consultation on the Sector Strategy is continuing
* Key policy issues emerging are participation, competitiveness and sustainability
* Challenges still exist - re alignment of policy, planning sequencing and resource allocation across spheres of government and line departments

AGRICULTURE - FACILITATING ACCESS FOR BLACK FARMERS

Agreed:
* Disposal of 669 000 ha of state owned land in all the nine provinces
* Establishment of joint ventures for farmer settlement in citrus, wine and table grapes - roll-out in 4 provinces in 2001
* Comprehensive support "sunrise" package submitted as part of MTEF

Progress:
* LRAD launched on 13 August 2001
* To-date disposal of 366 716 ha of state owned land done in form of lease with option to buy;

Critical Issues
* Most land was occupied - key challenge is strategy for acquisition of new [quality] land;
* Investment implications of above reality;
* Delays due largely to conveyancing procedures;

Progress:
* 65 Citrus farmers have been settled in Seloane (6), Marivene (27) and Mabunda (32);
* Initiative to design new venture capital options support the entry of black farmers in this capital-intensive industry is underway through Land Bank;
* Repositioning of the Land Bank-Act passed by Cabinet.
* Table Grapes - Programme Manager to be appointed by DTI under the Orange River SDI programme

AGRICULTURE - ENHANCEMENT OF THE NATIONAL REGULATORY SYSTEM

Agreed:
* Enactment of Animal Identification and Animal Health Bills
* Cabinet Memorandum on the establishment of a Food Control Agency
* Improving excellence through investment in technology.

Progress:
* Animal Identification and Animal Health Bills passed by Cabinet in May - bills to contribute to reducing stock theft and improving the traceability of animals
* Food Control Agency - consultation with Dept of Health in progress
* Main vision is to ensure that all food provided and marketed does not present a health risk to consumers and to ensure compliance with food safety norms and standards
* The Department is in consultation with the Department of Arts Culture Science and Technology - in the Biotechnology strategy, the strategy has been accepted by Cabinet.
* The Strategy will introduce an institutional framework for furthering knowledge generation and promoting development of biotechnology application in various areas.
* We have Utilised the Agriculture Geographic Information System (AGIS) to provide user-friendly framework for decision making within the ISRDP

Issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, 21 September 2001