The Vumelana Advisory Fund, a non-profit organisation that works with land reform beneficiaries to make their land productive by facilitating partnerships between communities and investors, has urged greater collaboration among stakeholders to address the significant backlog of land claims in South Africa.
With approximately 7 000 outstanding land claims still unresolved, the fund emphasises the urgent need to expedite the resolution process and empower affected communities to benefit from their land.
The department of agriculture and rural development this week announced a budget allocation of R17.25 billion for the 2023/24 financial year to address food security, land reform, hunger, and the development of rural areas. While Vumelana Advisory Fund acknowledges the department’s commitments, it highlights the necessity of broader collaboration to achieve the targets set forth in the National Development Plan (NDP) for land reform.
Peter Setou, chief executive of Vumelana Advisory Fund, emphasises the importance of collaboration with all stakeholders involved in land reform to effectively address the backlog of land claims.
“It is encouraging to see the commitments that the department has made for this budget allocation,” says Setou. “However, to achieve these targets, there is a need for broader collaboration with all stakeholders involved in land reform.”
The unresolved land claims pose significant challenges to affected communities, depriving them of opportunities to generate income from their land. Setou stresses the imperative to expedite the resolution process, allowing communities to reap the rewards of their land and fostering economic empowerment.
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CPA’s need to be scaled up
Over the years, Community Property Associations (CPAs) have faced recurring challenges such as post-settlement support, access to markets, skills gaps, governance issues, and community relations. While some interventions have shown progress in land reform, they have not been adequately scaled up.
To address these issues and achieve meaningful results, Setou highlights the importance of broader collaboration, including support for partnerships with the private sector and like-minded organisations.
Government has allocated a budget of R218 million for land acquisition to enhance security of tenure and acquire 5 685 hectares of land in the current financial year. Additionally, a budget of R3.9 billion has been allocated to finalise 349 claims and settle 406 claims in the coming year.
Vumelana Advisory Fund commends the department’s commitment to accelerating the settlement and finalisation of land claims through its backlog reduction strategy. The fund emphasises the need for close monitoring of performance throughout the year to ensure progress and timely resolution.
As South Africa continues its journey towards land reform, collaboration among stakeholders remains crucial. By working together, the government, fund, private sector entities, and communities can expedite the resolution of outstanding land claims and empower communities to thrive through productive land utilisation.
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