Why Free Land Cannot Empower A Landless Population

A colleague of mine has lambasted my views on why expropriation without compensation is not a viable alternative (FW, 27 March).

- Tinashe Kapuya

A colleague of mine has lambasted my views on why expropriation without compensation is not a viable alternative (FW, 27 March).

Before I argue my point, it’s important to stress that I am a firm believer in social justice and land reform as a means to address inequality. The only difference between myself and my colleague lies in the manner is which this goal is to be attained.

Some strong believers in social justice argue that, since land was expropriated from the black population without compensation, the white population that now owns it should be afforded the same courtesy. Though logical, the reality, however, is not that straightforward for two reasons.

The first reason why it is now imperative to pay for land that was taken for free, is that South Africa needs to maintain a delicate system of confidence, otherwise known as the economy. Today, SA is the most dynamic and complex economy in Africa, and is much more sophisticated than it was in 1913 when the Natives Land Act was passed.