Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso says the ministry will fast-track land reform claims to restore the dignity of communities that were dispossessed of land during Apartheid.
He was speaking after handing over title deeds to communities in the Richtersveld and areas of the Namaqualand in the Northern Cape on Friday.
The community is jubilant as their land is returned to them two decades after their landmark land claim ended in the Constitutional Court. They now have hope.
Richtersveldt resident Willem de Klerk says, “I’m honestly very excited because I know I have received a piece of land that can be worked to benefit the community.”
Already lots of plans from the community.
Richtersveld CPA Chair Nnicodemus Swartbooi says, “We are looking forward to something good for our people, something we can build on for our children, and we are super excited. The plan now is to get round tables with investors with people with big pockets who will come in and help the Richtersveld community to do this development for us as the Richtersveld people.”
Communities in Namaqualand also received title deeds as part of the various programmes through the Land Reform and Rural Development department.
Vioolsdrift CPA’s Freddie Hansen says they waited long, “people have died, but now it’s time to celebrate and develop….”
Concordia resident Nuchey van Neel says this means they have legal rights, they can sign documents, develop the area, etc…
A commitment that land reform will be fast-tracked.
Land reform and rural development minister Mzwanele Nyhontso
“Title deed means dignity, it means restoration of your land. It also means the opportunities for generational wealth. We want to fast-track the land reform programme. We don’t want beneficiaries to wait until they die cause it pains all of us. It’s when we are in meetings and beneficiaries telling us all those who have claimed are no longer with us, our parents are no longer here.”
Nyhontso says the department will also deal with Communal Property Associations that fail to work for the benefit of the communities they serve.
