While there are a few drops in the ocean of successful communal property associations (CPAs) across the country, the 2022/2023 annual report by the department of agriculture, rural development and land reform on the status of CPAs has revealed a a sad state of affairs.
The report indicated that 1 141 CPA’s in the country were non-compliant to the rules and regulations of governance, 188 were partially compliant, while only 81 were compliant.
A worrying trend
KwaZulu-Natal is leading the pack with 328 non-compliant CPAs, followed by Mpumalanga with 279, and the Eastern Cape with 180, while KwaZulu-Natal also leads with 73 partially compliant.
Gauteng has only one CPA being compliant while Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal share the position of only 14 CPAs compliant.
The chairperson of Moletele Community Property Association, Albert Thabane, whose CPA is one of the best performing, said collaboration is key to ensure that the benefits of the community are met.
“I am representing about 4 000 members of this CPA. We were given the land and we used it. We still have more land, all we need is key collaborations so we can make use of the land effectively. If CPA’s can get good partnerships they will flourish.
“What should be important should be the needs of the community – no one else. In our community we know what we want and the community has got one vision, which is to empower our people – no other business,” he said.
The report highlighted lack of cooperation among CPA’s members, traditional authorities versus CPAs, lack of management and administrative skills, economic challenges in CPAs, conflict among CPA members, and management were some of the factors that contribute to the non-compliance of the projects and ultimately failing.
Infighting over land and positions
A member of Barolong Boo Ratlou Ba Ga Seitshiro in Khunwana village in Delareyville, North West, who asked not to be named, said disputes on leadership positions is the reason why there is no development.
According to the report, the CPA had 822 members. The member said some members wanted to be on the board of directors and have their own companies.
“Since the restitution has taken place, we have achieved nothing, it is dispute after the other. The CPA is seen as a milking cow for others, while others wants to see the betterment of the community through it. The land is available but because of no cooperation from us it is not being used,” the member said.
Saamtrek Saamwerk coordinator in the Northern Cape Sehularo Sehularo said new effective legislation on how to better control CPAs is needed because a big portion of land is not used because of internal disputes and infighting.
“The current model that is being used to operate CPAs is not working, projects are halted because people are just fighting over positions. We need to get a more aggressive approach on how CPAs can be used, it is an urgent matter because the situation is not getting any better,” he said.
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A need to tighten the rules
“Unfortunately there is little that organised agriculture could do on this matter because some have legal cases pending in courts. [In] some [cases] there are monies missing so it is a matter in which government need to get involved. However, it is sad that we want land and once we get it, we fight over it,” Sehularo added.
Steve Sikwane, a livestock farmer in Thabazimbi, Limpopo, said his family belonged to the CPA but opted to go solo for the sake of progress and operating business.
“I do not really want to talk much, but it was time consuming, endless meetings which did not bring forth any direction. I respect the CPA but opted to go out of it because I loved farming and wanted to see my operations growing. I learned a few things but myself being part of it was not worth it.
“Some people in the CPA are my family and I respect them but it’s better off when I work like the way am doing. What happened is all in the past,” he said.
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