Land Reform 2021: Beware Of Fake News

Land reform in South Africa is mired in policy uncertainty and government neglect. At the same time, it is a political football, kicked around shamelessly by some leaders to serve short-term political goals. Glenneis Kriel spoke to three experts in the field to obtain clarity on this crucially important topic.

- Glenneis Kriel

According to Dr Marc Wegerif, South Africa needs an in-depth analysis of how mergers and acquisitions in the agri-food sector will affect farmers. FW ARCHIVES

Do it yourself

DR MARC WEGERIF is a lecturer in development studies at the University of Pretoria.

What we can expect from land reform this year?

I’m not optimistic that much will be achieved in 2021 considering current and past failings, but we need to keep trying, and to learn from past mistakes. Failure to do so will leave space for groups with ‘wild rhetoric’ that will create even more uncertainty and division, and bring no results.

Do not misunderstand me. We need serious, far-reaching change, but this needs to be achieved in an intelligent way.

What do you see as the biggest obstacles to land reform?

Land inequality is a highly emotive and politicised issue, so we need good data to really know the nature of land inequality and measure progress in addressing it. It’s not good enough for government to publish an audit where more than half of ownership cannot be accorded a race, gender or even nationality.

FAST FACTS The corporatisation of farming might make it more difficult for new entrants to succeed.

Local government elections are approaching, so political pressure for land reform is almost certain to be ramped up.

Land reform in South Africa is in need of a policy clean-up.