A roundtable discussion was held at the Wanderers Club in Illovo to discuss land reform and how to achieve inclusive ownership without compromising the productivity of South Africa’s agricultural sector.
The five panellists for the discussion were individuals all currently working in the agriculture sector and on land reform. They are Nomfundo Ntloko-Gobodo of the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights, Mazwi Mkhulisi of the Vumelana Advisory Fund, Hezekiel Nkosi of the Moletele Communal Property Association, Anwhar Madhanpall of the South African Sugar Association and Annelize Crosby of Agri SA.
The discussion focused particularly on how to ensure that land reform projects were sustainable. An issue that has been faced in the past regarding land reform is that beneficiaries of land often don’t have the knowledge required to run a farm and business.
Creating more jobs through agricultural development based on land reform by 2030 is one of the objectives highlighted in the National Development Plan.
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Peter Setou, Vumelana CEO, who welcomed the panellists, said to make land reform successful it was necessary to focus on the pockets of success and what can be replicated to make a difference.
Each panellist highlighted particular issues currently facing land reform. Ntloko-Gobodo said every South African had an obligation to restore land. It was not about being vindictive but rather about restoring dignity. She added, “It is a constitutional imperative that requires we all put our heads together.”
Setou added that those in the private sector have started to embrace land reform despite some initial resistance. He said there needed to be consistent and sustainable ways to finance land reform without overburdening the beneficiaries. “We need to ensure that we build proper structures designed to manage and develop and run these businesses.”
