There is an increased appreciation within South Africa’s policy discourse of agriculture and agribusiness' contribution to economic growth, job creation, and the potential for further expansion.

Land reform is not only politically important: it could be a key catalyst for inclusive growth and employment creation.

The Freedom Charter retains an intense emotional hold on many South Africans, often being presented as a sort of arbiter of what South Africa’s future should hold.

Moving away from land expropriation, as outlined in the ANC 2017 policy conference, would be a welcome development and positive for the country, according to Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) chief economist, Wandile Sihlobo.

We are emerging from a policy-heavy weekend, where the governing ANC gathered to discuss policy ideas ahead of its December elective conference. A range of economic matters were discussed at the conference that we will learn more about in the coming days.

Fixed property – a house, a farm, business premises, or some other sundry variant of real estate – is a significant investment for anybody.

In achieving an inclusive and growing agricultural sector as envisaged by the Agricultural Agroprocessing Master Plan (AAMP), an orderly and sustainable land reform is of critical importance.

In the coming days, on the 14th to be precise, the Parliamentary Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure will decide on the wording of the New Expropriation Bill.

Two key pieces of legislation signed off by parliamentary committees yesterday proceed in lockstep in advancing the National Democratic Revolution, posing an existential risk to South Africa’s constitutional democracy.

South Africa’s National Assembly passed a bill on Sept. 28 that would allow the government to seize land without paying the owners, a practice known as ‘expropriation without compensation.’

Many black South Africans have suffered dispossession of their land, denial of adequate access to land, inadequate tribal or apartheid forms of title to accessible land, and restrictions on their use of accessible land.

There is widespread agreement that land reform in South Africa has failed to deliver the changes many hoped it would.

The majority of the country is currently reporting poor to reasonable veld and livestock conditions. Summer rainfall areas began receiving some rain, mostly later in October and farmers are preparing land for planting.

When the African National Congress came to power in South Africa in 1994, an expressed priority was land reform.

Redistribution of farmland is a key catalyst for agricultural transformation and growth in South Africa. 

And it’s not surprising. The power’s off, over a third of the country is out of work, the cost of living is biting into even the most essential purchases. Worries are not just for the grocery bill or the next bond payment, but for the children’s future. Ons kry almal swaar.

Nearly two and a half years after lawmakers first introduced the Expropriation Bill in the National Assembly, it now sits with the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).