ANC’s view on land reform sobering

There are many people in this country who believe that waving the magic wand of land expropriation without compensation (EWC) will suddenly turn South Africa into Utopia overnight, eliminate poverty and give black Africans justice. It is understandable.

Many have yet to see economic liberation despite 25 years of ANC government – they buy into the dream which is propagated by the EFF and the ANC. It’s about a better life and, to be frank, about settling old scores.

Few who support extreme land reform – for that is what this will be – look further than change of ownership.

So it is refreshing to see one of the ANC’s thought leaders on land, NEC member Ronald Lamola, warning that EWC will not result in all black people getting land overnight.

And, as is abundantly clear from the large number of failed land reform schemes, handing over land without financial and other support from government is only setting up the new owners to fail.

And that failure – particularly in the agricultural sector – can have catastrophic consequences. It was ironic that, as Lamola spoke, north of our border, Zimbabweans were realising that.

The country is running out of wheat, so there is a shortage of bread.

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