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Cape Town – President Jacob Zuma reiterated that there are weaknesses in South Africa’s willing-buyer, willing-seller principle which delay land reforms and that land restitution without compensation is under way.
Addressing the official opening of the House of Traditional Leaders at Parliament on Friday, he said the willing-buyer, willing-seller situation causes the state to be a price taker in an unfair process.
“In addition, there are too many laws dealing with land reform, which cause confusion and delays,” Zuma said.
“The fact remains that land hunger is real. This is not surprising as this was the fundamental question at the centre of the liberation struggle.”
Zuma said government is considering two actions to attain the goal of radical socio-economic transformation in relation to land reform.
First of all, a pre-colonial audit of land ownership, use and occupation patterns should be undertaken. Once the audit has been completed, a single law should be developed to address the issue of land restitution without compensation.
“The necessary constitutional amendments would then be undertaken to implement this process.”
Secondly, government is considering the redesign and establishment of the National Land Claims Commission as a Chapter 9 institution, so that it has the necessary powers to help government reverse "this historical injustice". This would also require a Constitutional amendment.
READ: Zuma vows to fast track land expropriation without compensation
“All of this will require unity and common purpose and action in the country, to ensure redress and meaningful reconciliation.”
Zuma emphasised that government and the ruling party would want to ensure that the land reform process is an “orderly” one.
“We do not support chaos and illegal land grabs. Actions must be informed by the Constitution and the laws of the land. In the meantime, land reform continues on the basis of existing laws.”
'Time for action on radical economic transformation'
Zuma also said the fact that 2017 is the year of radical economic transformation means it’s time for action.
“The ANC and government have produced enough policy documents and bills. Now is the time for action and not talking, writing or analysing.”
READ: Zuma vows radical economic overhaul
Zuma appealed to the House of Traditional Leaders, which is celebrating its 20 years of existence, to join government on its journey of bringing fundamental change in the structure, systems and institutions and overhauling patterns of ownership and management in the economy.
“Access to economic power is a key grievance of our people at this stage of our liberation,” Zuma said.
He said he’ll receive regular feedback from ministers and deputy ministers, and what exactly they are doing to ensure radical socio-economic transformation in their departments to ensure the empowerment of black people, and Africans in particular.
“We urge our traditional leaders to use this opportunity to bring about economic stability and cultural development in rural areas,” Zuma said.
