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The legacy of Dutch colonialist Jan van Riebeeck’s incursion into southern part of Afrika 365 years ago still casts a shadow today. Indeed, South Africa president Jacob Zuma proclaimed two years ago that this seminal event “was the beginning of all South Africa’s problems.” (1) At the time the comment just added to the controversy that the seems to surround the president (2) and earlier this month he was accused of “going rogue” again by calling for land restitution without compensation – in contradiction of his own party’s policy. (3)
Even while making claim, the African National Congress (ANC) leader sought to placate the country’s white population:
“It does not display hatred. Responsible leadership must find a way to avoid that situation, so I don’t think it helps to jump into phrases that if somebody talks about land hunger, then he is hating the whites. How else would you describe those who own the land? How do you describe them, if you don’t say what happened?” (4)
Nevertheless some have have suggested that Zuma has thrown “caution to the wind” and is “going for broke” in a desparate attempt to ratchet up some populist support in fear that his “hold on power is slipping.” (5)
Whatever president Jacob Zuma’s motives for his recent statements on the land issue, it is the case that, at 9.8%, the rate of redistribution has been extremely poor. (6) However, having been in government since 1999 as deputy president and president since 2009, some degree of culpability should be afforded to Zuma and his administration. In fact research carried out in the Eastern Cape district of Sarah Baartman by Ruth Hall and Thembela Kepe revealed that land reform actually favoured white business and “sidelined the intended beneficiaries.” (7)
Although it appears that the ANC are finally ready to jettison the discredited “willing buyer, willing seller” policy, their activity and replace it with what they term “just and equitable compensation.” (8).
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), lead by Julius Malema also reject the notion of compensation for redistributed land:
“People of South Africa, where you see a beautiful land, take it, it belongs to you. We all know that the Dutch gangsters arrived here and took our land by force. The struggle has since been about the return of the land into the hands of rightful owners.” (9)
Malema proceeded to call on the ANC to join with it in parliament to vote for a change in the constitution. The EFF’s 6% added to the ANC’s 62% would have delivered the two-thirds needed but the motion was defeated by 261 votes to 33. In spite of the motion’s defeat, Zuma again called on the parties to work together to speed up land restitution.
“We have produced enough policy documents and Bills. Now is the time for action and not talking, writing or analysing.” (10)
Even if Zuma’s pronouncements smack of vainglorious attempts at populism, it might be argued that he’s tapping into the growing disaffection within the country – ostensibly at variance with the majority of the party he leads. The ANC has arguably emphasised reconciliation over land reform and justice to the extent it successfully persuaded neighbouring Zimbabwe to delay it’s land reform programme so as not to jeopardise its negotiations with the white regime in the early 1990s. (11) Yet, it was only in January of this year that political prisoner, form Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania combatant Kenny Motsamai was given full parole after 27 years in jail.
(1) South Africa Today (10/01/15) – Jan van Riebeeck’s arrival the beginning of all SA’s problems: Zuma.http://southafricatoday.net/south-africa-news/jan-van-riebeecks-arrival-the-beginning-of-all-sas-problems-zuma/.(2) Lynsey Chutel (07/04/16) South Africa’s Jacob Zuma has a history of surviving scandals—impeachment is just the latest.https://qz.com/656324/south-africas-jacob-zuma-has-a-history-of-surviving-scandals-impeachment-is-just-the-latest/(3) Thulani Gqirana (03/03/17) Zuma has gone rogue on land reform – Maimane. http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/zuma-has-gone-rogue-on-land-reform-maimane-20170303(4) Thulani Gqirana (16/02/17) We don’t hate white people, but land must be returned – Zuma.http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/we-dont-hate-white-people-but-land-must-be-returned-zuma-20170216(5) Max Du Preez (07/03/17) Panicking Zuma has thrown caution to the wind.http://www.news24.com/Columnists/MaxduPreez/panicking-zuma-has-thrown-caution-to-the-wind-20170307(6) Greg Nicolson (06/03/17) Land, Actually: What’s the ANC’s policy? https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2017-03-06-land-actually-whats-the-ancs-policy/#.WMAdojZvgqU(7) Ashleigh Furlong (02/03/17) Land reform favours businesses, not the poor – study.http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/land-reform-favours-businesses-not-the-poor-study-20170302(8) Nicolson Op cit.(9) Paul Herman (28/02/17) If you see a beautiful piece of land, take it – Malema.http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/if-you-see-a-beautiful-piece-of-land-take-it-malema-20170228(10) Thulani Gqirana (03/03/17) ‘Land hunger is real’ – Zuma. http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/land-hunger-is-real-zuma-20170303(11) Thabo Mbeki (22/02/16) South Africa’s policy towards Zimbabwe: synopsis. http://www.sahistory.org.za/archive/south-africas-policy-towards-zimbabwe-synopsis-thabo-mbeki-22-february-2016
So we ask the question:
Is South Africa now ready to deal with the land question?
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Should compensation be paid for land reform?
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Why has the land reform process been so slow?
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Why didn’t the ANC follow their leader and vote for the amendment?
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Is Zuma committed to “action” or is he playing to the populist gallery?
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Does the governent put too much emphasis on reconciliation rather than justice?
Our very special guests:
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and UNIA-ACL Ambassador for the UK and national co-Chair of the interim National Afrikan People’s Parliament. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of over 30 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwindnewspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Guide To Excellence.
Mama Lindiwe Tsele a veteran political activist who has lived mainly in London and Manchester andvery much involved with liberation fight of South Africa. Mama Lindiwe is also the author of Zimbabwe women in Chimurenga: A personal synoptic account of the experiences of some of the women of Zimbabwe during the liberation war for the freedom of Zimbabwe.
Bro. Sbusiso Xaba: is the Deputy President of Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) of Azania a position he has held 2014. He was previously president of Pan Africanist Youth Congress of Azania (PAYCO) from 2005-2007. His other student affiliations include the student chapter of the Black Management Forum, Pan Africanist Student Organisation and Pan Africanist Student Movement (PASMA) of Azania. Bro. Sibusiso has been deeply involved in the struggle for broad transformation of pedagogy and epistemology in institutions of learning in order for them to be accessible to the African working class, improve quality of content, endorse socialist values and espouse African oriented curriculum..
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Liberate the minds of men and you will ultimately liberate the bodies of men…….”Hon. Marcus Garvey. What is taking us so long to get the white and black parasites off our backs and out of Africa, our Ancestral Homeland? We don’t seem to have an insult level and that is why no one respects us. We must begin to love ourselves, more than we love our enemies, then and only then, will we be on the right path to regaining our rightful place in this World. Awake Africa! Awake from your slumber!……The: Elder (Bro. Jose’)