Land Redistribution In South Africa A Very Thorny Issue That Won't Go Away
Just days after the ruling party in South Africa, the African National Congress (ANC) made Cyril Ramaphosa its new country President, the thorny issue of land redistribution is back on the cards.
The ANC elected President Ramaphosa as a country President after it removed Jacob Zuma from the position before his term ended. This came after eight unsuccessful votes of no confidence that were debated in parliament. Zuma survived all of them only to be recalled by his own party.
Just when he took over the reigns as the country President, Cyril Ramaphosa has assured all South Africans that he will do all in his power to make sure that the issue of land redistribution in South Africa becomes a thing of the past.
The Economic Freedom Fighters commonly known as the EFF has been pushing for land redistribution without compensation. Since its formation, it leader Julius Malema has called for the ANC to take the issue of land very seriously. He has on a number of occasions explained that without land it will be impossible for the ANC government to effect economic growth.
More than 80% of land in South Africa is believed to be in the ownership of white people who are refusing to allow government to use it for developmental purposes. Since the ANC came into power in 1994 it has failed to provide housing for those who are homeless. The party blames its failures on the fact that there is no sufficient land in its disposal that can be used to develop housing for the poor.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for all South Africans to remain calm as his party continues to develop policy which will ensure that the land is redistributed in a manner that does not cause economic instability.
President Cyril Ramaphosa On Land Redistribution In South Africa
"We must, given the history we have had, work with urgency to significantly and sustainably escalate the pace of land reform. If we do not do so, this problem that has stayed with us as a nation for hundreds of years will implode in our hands," Ramaphosa told parliament.
Australian Home Affairs Minister has joined the fray and extended invitation to white farmers who may want to relocated to Australia to start farming in that country.
Dutton was quoted in the Australian media as having said that his government was looking into methods that would facilitate the fast-tracking of visas for white South African farmers who want to relocate to that country.
Dutton told The Guardian that white South African farmers "deserve special attention" because of the "horrific circumstances" of land seizures and violence in the country.
South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu wasted no time and issued a diplomatic demarche or warning to Australian High Commissioner in SA Adam McCarthy. Sisulu demands that the comments made by their home affairs minister Peter Dutton, over the SA land redistribution process be retracted.
