Thinking At Gunpoint: It's Time To Fast Track Land Reform

The expropriation without compensation resolution has polarised opinion. We need urgent, innovative solutions to land reform, and must deal with communal land ownership and title deeds, says Malapane Thamaga, an agricultural economist at the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa.

- Malapane Thamaga

Almost every article in the mainstream media that deals with expropriation without compensation argues against it. Some go as far as indicating that expropriation of land is already covered within the Constitution, and there is thus no need for the new proposal to be entertained. What they fail to highlight is the elephant in the room: the words “without compensation”.

Judging by the mood in the country, this Parliamentary resolution has been highly welcomed by the majority of South Africans, particularly those of black descent. You cannot blame them, because if you ask about the progress of land reform in all District Land Reform Committees (DLRCs) in the country, the answer is the same: no progress because of no budget. The latter makes the “without compensation” phrase attractive in that the biggest obstacle will be overcome should the Constitution be amended.

The main question, therefore, is this: do we (both government and private sector) have enough money to accelerate land reform? The answer is most likely ‘yes’, but actions on the ground in terms of land reform say otherwise.

My point of departure in this article is that given exposure by the private sector and possible uncertainties that come with this proposal, we have no choice but to make land reform work.