Why should SA’s rural people have different rights to urbanites?
In pre-colonial times, traditional leaders and traditional authorities were important institutions Iin South Africa, which played
26 August 2015
New Land Grab Law
Land restitution in South Africa is a political football. Government is under from opposition parties and critics at the slow pace
25 August 2015
Second phase of land audit to be completed
The second phase of an audit into state-owned land is expected to be completed by September 2015, according to the ANC’s National
25 August 2015
Bayede Newspaper, traditional leaders and mining deals in KwaZulu-Natal
A privately owned isiZulu-language newspaper that used to call itself the official voice of the Zulu monarch has launched a
25 August 2015
Reopening restitution process good idea – ANC
The ANC says reopening the land claims process was a good idea.
According to the ANC’s National General
25 August 2015
50 000+ Land Beneficiaries Are Women
The government redistributed 82 million hectares of white-owned agricultural land in South Africa between 1994 and March 2015, and
25 August 2015
King steps in over KZN mining
King Goodwill Zwelithini has intervened to protect the rights of communities affected by the operations of mining companies in the
24 August 2015
Land claims: Some of the good news and the lay of the land
There are three components to land reform, a key political issue in South Africa: redistribution, tenure reform and restitution.
24 August 2015
Painful District Six land claims logjam
THOUSANDS of people are still in the dark regarding the status of their land restitution claims in District
23 August 2015
Can renewable energy drive economic development?
In South Africa, large-scale renewables facilities are going up in places that haven’t previously enjoyed that many economic
20 August 2015
Land claims to increase
THE number of land claims in Ugu District is set to increase after the Commission for Land Rights Restitution announced it will be
20 August 2015
Asserting traditional leaders own land opens old wounds
IF THE past has nothing to say to the present, history may go on sleeping undisturbed in the closet where the system keeps its old
20 August 2015
Property association wins battle for platinum-rich land in North West
JUBILATION filled the Constitutional Court on Thursday after the Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela Tribal Communal Property Association won a
20 August 2015
Firm rolls in SA wind bids
Law firm Simmons and Simmons has been appointed as counsel to manage finance deals for two wind farms with 250MW combined capacity
20 August 2015
Renewable energy is saving SA billions
Renewable energy generated by South Africa's first wind and solar projects helped ward off some load-shedding and saved around
20 August 2015
Hydro fuel to power up agri parks
The Department of Science and Technology says proposals are on the cards to consider using hydro fuel cell technology to power-up
20 August 2015
The risks attached to South Africa's nuclear energy strategy
According to Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson, the South African government has entered into a nuclear energy procurement
20 August 2015
Department of Rural Development on its 4 Quarter 2014/15 & 1st quarter 2015/16 performance & Financial and Fiscal Commission analysis
The Committee was briefed by the Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) on the expenditure trends and performance of the Department
19 August 2015
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 4th Quarter 2014/15 & 1st Quarter 2015/16 Performance
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) highlighted that it had recorded the highest growth rate of 72% in the
18 August 2015
Follow Rupert's way for successful land reform
In the tumultuous late 1970s, Afrikaner industrialist Anton Rupert built decent homes for his black workers in Cape Town and
17 August 2015
US rebukes SA over trade rules
Constantly changing trade requirements imposed by SA on US goods undermine beneficial opportunities for agricultural producers and
17 August 2015
Government in plan to provide R2bn to farmers
The government is pumping R2-billion into 44 district municipalities in a bid to develop emerging farmers and boost the agriculture
17 August 2015
Rural Development and Land Reform Parliamentary Committee Update: Rama and Riemvasmaak challenges, Spatial Planning Land Use Management Act implementation; Committee Oversight Visit Report
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DLDLR) provided a progress report on its interventions to address the
12 August 2015
New partnership to accelerate innovation in African farming
The Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA Africa) has announced a new partnership agreement with the Technical Centre
12 August 2015
SA National Parks (SANParks) & iSimangaliso Wetland Park on their performance and plans, with Minister present
The Committee, with the presence of the Minister of the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) met with two entities, SA
11 August 2015
Khoisan set up own chamber of commerce
They are the indigenous people of South Africa, but have not been very active in the South African
11 August 2015
Maize imports will be costly for SA
The upward trajectory in the maize price has continued, despite global food prices falling to a six-year low last
11 August 2015
Conflict erupts over Limpopo CPA control
Bitter conflict has erupted over the control of a communal property association (CPA) that runs five lucrative farms in Limpopo,
10 August 2015
Rushing land reform only slows it down
Poor performances in the land reform process in South Africa are caused primarily by the fluctuating and sometimes conflicting
7 August 2015
Province ripe for tomato boom
Eastern Cape tomato farmers were introduced yesterday to a multimillion-rand business opportunity by fruit processing company Cape
7 August 2015
Rural Development and Land Reform Approves Land for Women, Farm Workers and People Living With Disability
Women, farm workers and persons with disability, were among the latest land reform beneficiaries of a multi-million rand fund to
6 August 2015
Apricum global PV Outlook by 2020: Top five countries will reach a cumulative capacity of over 400 GW
The global solar photovoltaic (PV) market is showing no signs of slowing down, but demand is shifting among the markets around the
6 August 2015
Sibanye Gold seeks alternative power sources
South Africa’s Sibanye Gold said on Thursday it had lost 125 million rand ($10 million) in revenue due to power cuts in the first half
6 August 2015
Department's Plan for Labour Tenants' Land Claims finally received
On the 4 August, the LRC received the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform’s reporting affidavit and the action
6 August 2015
Parliament in bid to stop cash payouts for land
CASHING in on land claims could be scrapped if MPs have their way.
Parliamentarians are agitating for
6 August 2015
Why Africa offers growing opportunities for agricultural products
The main drivers of demand for agricultural products are population growth, urbanisation, economic growth and changing
6 August 2015
Commission on Restitution of Land Rights on its 2014/15 Annual Report
The Committee on Rural Development and Land Reform was briefed by the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights (CRLR) on its
5 August 2015
Land was stolen, says activist
MPs are missing an opportunity to fundamentally change unequal land ownership patterns by fiddling with an expropriation law rather
5 August 2015
Lifeline for ailing Free State milk industry
The ailing Free State dairy industry received a breather from a milk broker who agreed to buy from regional farmers, following the
5 August 2015
Over 9000 new land claims lodged in KZN
More than 9 000 claims have been lodged with the KwaZulu-Natal Land Claims Commission since the reopening of the claims process in
4 August 2015
Africa’s biggest renewable energy projects
Renewable energy charges ahead, with African megaprojects up nearly 50% in 2014. See the eight leading renewable energy projects in
4 August 2015
Africa’s quest for energy
The continent of Africa is shockingly short of electricity. Nearly 600 million people are without electricity altogether, while
3 August 2015
Probe puts politicians in spotlight
The biggest land restitution fraud case in South Africa, involving more than R70 million and a proposed R2.5 billion project, could
2 August 2015
Despite $7bn to 'Power Africa,' why the continent is still in the dark
When President Barack Obama made his first presidential visit to Kenya over the weekend, he visited not just his ancestral home,
31 July 2015
Property Valuation Act to be implemented in August
President Jacob Zuma has announced that as of August 1 the Property Valuation Act
30 July 2015
Land claims lodgement bus to visit HCM
The Commission for Land Rights Restitution will be bringing its services closer to the people of Hibiscus Coast from 16 to 18
30 July 2015
SPLUMA discussion on Rights and Recourse (SABC) - You Tube Video
On 19 July 2015, Dr Aninka Claassens from the Centre for Law and Society; Dr Nozizwe Makgalemele of the Department of Rural
19 July 2015
Huge avocado project for Port St Johns
The Eastern Cape government has welcomed a R100-million injection by two private companies for large-scale avocado production in
16 July 2015
Youth needed to take agriculture into new era of cross-industry integration
Although not necessarily as obvious, the pervasive influence of agriculture on society is creating an entirely new and glamorous
16 July 2015
Rural development programmes delayed by mismanagement
Government's rural development programmes in Limpopo are said to be delayed by financial mismanagement, corruption and
16 July 2015
Eight youths get R15m farm
The department of rural development and land reform has acquired a R15.5m farm for young agriculture graduates in the Capricorn
16 July 2015
Private sector puts billions into renewable energy
Private sector investment in renewable energy had reached R193 billion, Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson said as she
15 July 2015
Proposed communal land policy could replay 1913
The government has tried and serially failed in the 21 years since democracy dawned to resolve questions around the authority of
15 July 2015
juwi To Develop 140 MW Wind Energy Project In South Africa
Germany-based renewable energy service provider juwi will develop a 140 MW wind energy project in South Africa that is part of the
13 July 2015
Low ceilings lead to more farm land for redistribution
THE policy decision to create ceilings on the size of farms that can be owned in SA is based on scientific research, Rural
13 July 2015
Land claimants get R56m
Land claimants from Roosboom, near Ladysmith, received about R56 million in compensation at the weekend.
This
13 July 2015
Traditional leaders use archaic laws to cling to the land
MAYIBUYE iAfrika!
This was a rallying cry that defined the struggle against colonialism and
10 July 2015
State buys land for emerging farmers
THE Department of Rural Development and Land Reform has acquired 7,875ha of land, which it will allocate to emerging farmers around
9 July 2015
If the agricultural sector cannot come up with a plan for land reform, what will the impact be on producers and agribusiness?
Land reform is currently in the spotlight, and rightly so. The issue is not whether land reform should take place or not, but
9 July 2015
SunEdison announces acquisition of South African renewable energy portfolios
As part of a spate of global acquisitions, SunEdison will be purchasing a significant interest in a diversified portfolio of energy
8 July 2015
Department approves funding for emerging farmer projects
MULTIMILLION-rand funding for emerging black farmers has been approved by the Department of Rural Development and Land
8 July 2015
SA’s future in solar and wind power
Global wind and solar company, Mainstream Renewable Power, has conducted preliminary analysis of South Africa’s wind and solar
7 July 2015
Lags in land claims frustrate forestry firms
THE issue of land claims for forestry companies is fraught with tension and ambiguity. The language used in relation to such claims
6 July 2015
Minister considers amendments to new Land Act
Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti says it may be necessary to amend the Spatial Planning and Land Use
3 July 2015
Traditional leaders call for suspension of Land Act
Traditional leaders have called on Rural Development and Land Reform Minister
3 July 2015
Land claim threatens community’s Lonmin deal
A MULTIMILLION-rand equity deal between Lonmin and a Marikana community could be in jeopardy due to a revived land
3 July 2015
Africa expected to get 100GW of solar power by 2030
A Norwegian solar power company, REC (Renewable Energy Corporation), is planning to enter the African renewable energy market on
30 June 2015
7 renewable energy startups trying to revolutionise the way Africa keeps its lights on
Africa has a serious energy problem. This is ironic considering the abundance of natural resources available, from coal in South
29 June 2015
SA rights groups criticise land expropriation bill
Proposed laws to allow the seizure of land and property to redress the imbalance of ownership between black and white South
28 June 2015
Renewable energy investors struggle in former homelands
The Eastern Cape is an ideal location for generating wind-driven power, but the former homelands are missing out on the
26 June 2015
Agri-park project set to take root
PLANS to establish agri-parks in the 44 district municipalities around the country are gathering pace, with several government
25 June 2015
South Africa has great renewable energy resources
Grant Pattison – executive chairman of the local arm of NRG Energy: ‘it’s going to take somewhere between five to 10 years to fix
25 June 2015
Land Commission receives over 50,000 claims
A total of 55,973 land claims have been lodged to the Land Claims Commission, since government re-opened the restitution claims
24 June 2015
Community will benefit from wind farm
South Africa is to get its first wind farm built through a not-for-profit organisation in partnership with land owners and farmers
24 June 2015
Nkwinti defends foreign land ownership
Government on Tuesday tried to alleviate jitters that the prohibition of land ownership by foreign nationals would drive away
23 June 2015
Minister firm on farm size limit, despite opposition
RURAL Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti is pressing ahead with government’s plan to limit the size of farms despite
23 June 2015
Drought stalks KZN wildlife
Rivers in AfriDrought stalks KZN wildlifeca's oldest proclaimed game reserve, the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, in northern KwaZulu-Natal,
23 June 2015
Waste to wealth: the hidden potential of waste from fruit
South Africa produces millions of tonnes of fruit each year that are exported, consumed locally, or processed into value-added
23 June 2015
Massive North Coast land claim
A community has approached the Land Claims Court to expedite a claim to vast parts of the North Coast, including upmarket Ballito and
22 June 2015
Renewable energy shines for economy
ENERGY from renewable projects generated last year had a net benefit of R800m to the economy.
This is
22 June 2015
Land claims threaten state’s forestry company
RAMPANT illegal land occupation and a fraught land claims process could jeopardise the viability of the South African Forestry
22 June 2015
Transforming agriculture: where is the magic?
Concern has often been expressed over the government's perceived reluctance to give the National Development Plan its full
22 June 2015
Land claims threaten state’s forestry company
RAMPANT illegal land occupation and a fraught land claims process could jeopardise the viability of the South African Forestry Company
22 June 2015
Gestamp Wind has been awarded 102MW Copperton Wind Farm in Round 4
Gestamp Wind, the Wind division of Gestamp Renewables, has been awarded with a 20 year PPA for Copperton wind farm, a 102 MW wind
22 June 2015
R55bn for wind energy
With SA facing crippling power shortages, the private sector has invested R55 billion in the wind energy industry over the past
19 June 2015
Drought hitting KwaZulu-Natal hard
Drought conditions in KwaZulu-Natal are fast deteriorating with the provincial government on Thursday announcing more forceful
19 June 2015
Drought hitting KwaZulu-Natal hard
Drought conditions in KwaZulu-Natal are fast deteriorating with the provincial government on Thursday announcing more forceful
19 June 2015
US poultry export deal will help small farmer sector
The poultry export deal reached between South Africa and the United States does not only help secure South Africa's inclusion in
18 June 2015
SA Dominates Top 10 Best Safari Parks, According to Industry Experts and Tourists
In a study of more than 3,000 reviews from safari adventurists and industry experts, four South African parks were declared amongst
17 June 2015
The Land Holdings Bill is impractical – industry players
Government’s move to fast-track land reform through the limitation of agricultural land ownership has received a lukewarm response from
17 June 2015
Minister’s latitude in farming bill could produce bitter harvest
THE government plans to do to farming what it has done to mining. In terms of legislation being processed through Parliament, all
15 June 2015
Khoi, San leaders want say in new law
Restitution for Khoi and San descendants should speak to how they were disowned and the government must take the views of Khoi and
14 June 2015
Leaders smoked out in land conflict
Three leaders of a communal land association at loggerheads with a local traditional leader over land
12 June 2015
Solar photovoltaic: SunEdison bags an additional 371MW in round 4.5 of REIPPPP
On Monday, renewable energy development company SunEdison was awarded an additional five solar photovoltaic power projects in South
10 June 2015
South Africa rises to 13th spot in Ernst & Young renewables index
South Africa has moved up to the 13th from the 15th position in Ernst & Young’s latest renewable energy country attractiveness
10 June 2015
West Coast One wind power farm in South Africa reaches commercial operation
West Coast One, the 94MW wind project located 130 km north of Cape
9 June 2015
Bid to prioritise land claims
The Land Claims Court yesterday ordered the Department of Rural Development and Land Affairs to prioritise claims lodged by
9 June 2015
Dispossession is not land reform
The reopened land restitution process had netted 55 973 new claims by the time the minister of rural development and land reform,
9 June 2015
Investors show huge interest in SA’s wind and solar programme
PRIVATE sector investment in renewable energy generation will reach R193bn following the announcement on Sunday of another 13
8 June 2015
Maasai women lead solar revolution
As the sun set, farmers began worrying about their cattle, easy prey for hyenas and leopards. Children lit fires to finish their
7 June 2015
'We want our land now' - Limpopo land claim beneficiaries
Dozens of land claims beneficiaries and land activist organisations in Limpopo marched on Tuesday to the provincial land claims
6 June 2015
SA makes new push for alternative energy
South Africa is increasingly turning to alternative energy sources.
A Spanish firm has just built a solar
5 June 2015
ACWA Power commissioning 50-MW CSP plant in S Africa
Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power said on Thursday it is commissioning the 50-MW Bokpoort concentrating solar power (CSP) plant in South
5 June 2015
Traditional leaders vow to defy government over new land law
Angry traditional leaders have dared the government to arrest them and have vowed to defy the newly enacted Spatial Planning and
4 June 2015
Regulation of Land Holdings bill ‘moving fast’ to become law – Minister
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform is aiming for the controversial Regulation of Land Holdings Bill, which looks
4 June 2015
Nuclear programme set to receive new financing model
SOUTH Africa’s nuclear power programme is likely to be financed following power-purchase deals backed by Eskom and government, which in
3 June 2015
Evaluation report by Department of Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), with Minister present
The Committee received a presentation of the evaluation report on the implementation of the Comprehensive Rural Development
3 June 2015
SA ready to host World Forestry Congress
South Africa is set to host a world class congress in the forestry sector in September which will look into improving the future of the
2 June 2015
Destroying the Wild Coast – the illegal sand mining crisis
The Wild Coast of South Africa is known as a remote and rugged region, largely unaltered by human development, but times are changing.
2 June 2015
KwaZulu-Natal agriculture and rural development on communal livestock farmers
KwaZulu-Natal communal livestock farmers heed government's call to commercialise their operations.
Communal
1 June 2015
SA poultry industry serious about transformation
As part of a process to transform the South African Poultry Association into one that more accurately reflects South Africa's diversity
1 June 2015
Concourt to rule on chief vs community row over land
The Constitutional Court is to make a ruling on the rightful custodian in the ongoing battle between a North West chief and members of
29 May 2015
The farmer's circle - demystifying issues
"If we all 'cut out the dead wood' and focus on issues that have a direct impact on our individual farming operations - it will benefit
28 May 2015
MEC Alan Winde on Western Cape's search for agri-professionals
The search is on for the best employees of the Western Cape's agricultural sector. Alan Winde, MEC of Economic Opportunities, this
28 May 2015
Tongaat Hulett looks to cash in on sales of vast tracts of land
Agribusiness Tongaat Hulett (TON)‚ one of the biggest sugar producers in Africa‚ looks set to unlock enormous value from extensive
27 May 2015
Plan for aggressive revival of rural farming
Developing farmers' lack of access to markets and facilities was highlighted by Eastern Cape Rural Development and Agrarian Reform
27 May 2015
‘Land caps are vital for equitable redistribution’
Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Gugile Nkwinti says land ceilings are necessary for equitable land redistribution in
26 May 2015
South Africa's instability scares away investors
A lack of policy stability in South Africa is making investors wary, ANC stalwart Mathews Phosa said on
20 May 2015
Minister clarifies ANC land policy
The latest announcements last week by the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, mr Gugile Nkwinti, have given more clarity
19 May 2015
Afasa, Nerpo ask for clarity on land ceilings
While Afasa and Nerpo agreed with Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Gugile Nkwinti's land ceiling of 5,000ha,
18 May 2015
Minister pledges Khoisan gains
After years of knocking at what they saw to be a closed door, a breakthrough appears in sight for descendants of South Africa’s
17 May 2015
Biomass renewable energy can ensure a sustainable future
Biomass, a lesser known but very viable form of renewable energy, entered the REIPPPP in Window 3 with the first biomass project
15 May 2015
Zuma addresses land claims issue at Xhosa king's coronation
President Jacob Zuma said on Friday that the first coronation of a Xhosa king marked the end of the painful era and ushered in a
15 May 2015
Robben Island to turn to solar power
Robben Island, one of the world's top tourist attractions, will soon generate its power from solar
14 May 2015
Analysis: Outlook improves for South Africa
Prospects for South Africa's wind sector are looking brighter. On 16 April, the Department of Energy (DoE) issued a statement
13 May 2015
First Solar modules come up trumps in South African PV modelling study
First Solar has published research suggesting its CdTe thin-film modules would offer a higher energy yield than those based on
13 May 2015
Communal land: full title clarity needed
All land in communal areas should be held under full title deed, Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti has
10 May 2015
Govt to Transfer 8.9 Million Hectares of Land By 2030
Government needs to transfer 8.9 million hectares of agricultural land by 2030 in order to meet the National Development Plan (NDP)
8 May 2015
Renewed Focus On Improving Farm Workers' Rights
Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti says his department will in the 2015/16 year focus on providing support
8 May 2015
Nkwinti moots cap on farm ownership
Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Guguli Nkwinti on Friday proposed limiting land ownership by large scale farmers to 5
8 May 2015
South Africa is becoming a leader in renewable energy
South Africa is on its way to becoming a renewable energy leader with billions being invested in creating clean and efficient
7 May 2015
Op-Ed: Renewable energy – can we continue to REIPPPP what we sow?
Last month saw the long-awaited announcement of the fourth bidding round in South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power
7 May 2015
Building Energy wins 140-MW wind project in S Africa
Building Energy SpA has won preferred bidder status for a 140-MW wind project and a 4.7-MW small-hydro scheme in South Africa, the
6 May 2015
Local lady farmer to supply fresh produce to The Maslow
As part of its promise to help build sustainable communities through supporting small enterprise development, Sun International's
6 May 2015
North West ready to launch agri-parks
Three agri-parks have been identified for the North West province which are Springbokpan, Moretele and Vryburg.
6 May 2015
PV solar gaining popularity in SA
In April 2015 the South African government announced the fourth round of successful bidders of the Renewable Energy Independent
5 May 2015
Coal IPP programme bid window likely to be extended – DoE
Coal IPP programme bid window likely to be extended – DoE
The bidding window for government’s Coal
5 May 2015
Milking KZN's dairy potential
KwaZulu-Natal has the ability to become South Africa’s major dairy supplier, but challenges to the industry, such as cheap imports
4 May 2015
Minister Nkwinti to Visit Agri Park Project
Rural Development Minister Gugile Nkwinti is expected to conduct a site inspection at the Agri Park project in Springbokpan, in the
3 May 2015
Reclaiming the soil of the past
Mobile offices will travel from town to town to help people who missed the chance to lodge land-restitution claims before the
3 May 2015
Who owns the land?
Getting to the bottom of land ownership in South Africa is not a straightforward business. Statistics are incomplete and, despite a
3 May 2015
French government study: 95% renewable mix cheaper than nuclear and gas
A new French government study shows that the cost to the French consumer of a 100% renewable scenario is more or less equal to a
24 April 2015
$339 Million Loan To Help South Africa Integrate Renewable Energy Into Its Grid
$339 Million Loan To Help South Africa Integrate Renewable Energy Into Its Grid
The global renewable
23 April 2015
China’s Goldwind gets 120-MW wind job in S Africa
Chinese wind turbine maker Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology (HKG:2208) Wednesday said it will equip and construct the
22 April 2015
SA, sugar sector agree on land handover formula
The chief land claims commissioner, Nomfundo Gobodo, and the executive director of the South African Sugar Association, Trix
21 April 2015
S.Africa's Eskom says 100 MW wind facility operational
South African power utility Eskom said on Monday its first large-scale renewable energy plant, the 100 megawatt Sere Wind Farm, was
20 April 2015
Land reform and black empowerment in South Africa – lessons from Zimbabwe
Ever since the acquisition of independence by Zimbabwe and South Africa in 1980 and 1994, respectively, the issue of land reform and
20 April 2015
Commission on Restitution of Land Rights on Strategic & Annual Performance Plan 2015/16
The Chief Land Claims Commissioner from the Commission of Restitution of Land Rights presented the strategic plan for 2015-2020 as
16 April 2015
13 independent power producers to add power to the grid
South Africa’s department of energy approved bids from 13 independent power producers (IPP) who combined are expected to add 1121
16 April 2015
SA could be leader in renewables: claim
SA could be leader in renewables: claim
Independent Power Producers (IPPs) praised the energy
16 April 2015
Michael Jordaan in solar power venture
Former First National Bank (FNB) boss Michael Jordaan, who recently opted to leave the banking world to pursue his passion of
15 April 2015
Mobile Offices to Make Land Claims Process Easier
Mobile Offices to Make Land Claims Process Easier
The unveiling of a high-tech mobile lodgement office
15 April 2015
Farm report warns of serious problems
Just 3 percent of South Africa’s farmers produce 95 percent of the country’s formal sector food, according to a World Wide Fund for
15 April 2015
Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Budget Vote Speech Briefing
Independent company wins bid to produce electricity
South African renewable energy company BioTherm
15 April 2015
Zimbabwe: Tobacco Farming - Land Reform Success Story
The revolutionary socio-economic transformation that is occurring in tobacco growing communities points to one of the outstanding
15 April 2015
Scatec Solar secures 258MW solar power project
South Africa’s Department of Energy has awarded Norwegian solar power producer Scatec Solar preferred bidder status for the
14 April 2015
SA National Parks Strategic and Annual Performance Plans 2015, Department of Environmental Affairs MTEF allocations briefings, in presence of Minister
The SANParks, in the presence of the Minister of Environment Affairs, briefed the Committee on their Strategic Plans and Annual
14 April 2015
Land question: Significant ideological and policy shifts
While land ownership and redistribution will feature as the key political issue of the next few decades, there is mounting
14 April 2015
54 351 new land claims submitted so far - Pieter Groenewald
Already 54 351 new restitution land claims in terms of the Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Act, 15 of 2014, have been
13 April 2015
Selection of land court judge president stalls
Judicial Service Commission (JSC) interviews for judge president of the Land Claims Court have been put on ice because of a case
12 April 2015
Aninka Claassens on Morning Live’s Discussion on Land – Part 1 to 4
Dr Aninka Claassens , ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe, CEO of AgriSA Hans Van der Merwe and Dr Mandla Buthelezi of African
10 April 2015
A decade later and no closer to answer
Successful land claims often result in moving stories about communities, unjustly forced from their homes, being able to
9 April 2015
Baphiring clan go home after 40 years
More than 40 years after being evicted from their land and 17 years of court battles, the Baphiring community – with the help of
7 April 2015
Government concludes land restitution for North West community
Government has concluded a 17 years multi-million rand land restitution deal with the Goetgevonden community near Vendersdorp in
7 April 2015
Land cap is grim reaper stalking SA's farm sector
Agriculture still contributes about R84-billion (about 3%) to gross domestic product. If one adds in the entire food value chain,
5 April 2015
Report on Workshop held by Minister Nkwinti on 20 March 2015
Minister Nkwinti held a Land Reform Indaba on 20 March 2015. This was a follow-up to the workshop held in October 2014, when the
2 April 2015
Terms of Reference for District Land Committees
The 2012 National Development Plan (NDP) emphasizes the need to reintegrate rural areas into mainstream economic development, which
2 April 2015
Curbs on owning land could see jittery locals selling
Unease about the government’s plans for restricting land ownership could see local residential property owner-investors who rely on
2 April 2015
Labour tenants still in limbo as government ignores court order
The Legal Resources Centre on Wednesday sent a notice to the Department of Rural
2 April 2015
More Lip Service On Land Reform
The Zuma administration has acknowledged the failure of the "willing buyer-willing seller" model, whereby the state could only buy
1 April 2015
Municipalities ‘must take responsibility for land’
Mr Nkwinti told delegates on the third day of the South African Local Government Association’s (Salga’s) national members assembly
26 March 2015
Traditional leader power overstated
A conventional wisdom in SA holds that traditional leaders are political king makers; that getting on the right side of the myriad
25 March 2015
Shifting quicksands of land drama
In 1995, the aggregate land-reform target (labour tenure rights, restitution and redistribution programmes put together) was the
25 March 2015
South Africa Grain Farmers Want Land-Ownership Cap Plan Cut
South Africa’s proposal to cap the amount of land deeds an individual may hold will affect food production and it should consider
24 March 2015
SA grain farmers: Land-ownership cap should be scrapped
Farmers in South Africa, the continent’s biggest corn producer, are concerned about the proposed backward-looking limit on title
24 March 2015
Tribal Homelands Turned to Profitable Farmlands
The rural homelands are held in trust by tribal authorities and are not on the government policy radar screen as it focuses on
24 March 2015
Wheels come off farming project
President Jacob Zuma handed over 85 new tractors to the Masibuyele Emasimini (back to the fields) project in Mpumalanga and
23 March 2015
Land claims law to be opposed
THE Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Act, which was rushed through Parliament just ahead of last year’s general election and
23 March 2015
Land claims law to be opposed
The Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Act, which was rushed through Parliament just ahead of last year’s general election and
23 March 2015
Rural women marching out for land
The Long March campaign, spearheaded by the Rural Women’s Assembly (RWA), gathered close to 500 women from across the country,
22 March 2015
Farmers share ideas on land reform
The government has spent 40 percent of the total value of commercial agriculture land in the country on land redistribution
22 March 2015
KZN community threatens land invasion
VILLAGERS at Keates Drift in KwaZulu-Natal Province have threatened to invade nearby farms if the government did not allocate them
20 March 2015
Are Reparations Enough? Land Equity Reform In South Africa
Despite the end of colonial rule and apartheid, land in Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe is still not equitably
20 March 2015
Land claims a Sisyphean task for the state
For those familiar with the mid-1990s land restitution programme, there was a strong sense of déjà vu about press reports on the
20 March 2015
Land tenure limits Eastern Cape's crops
Like many agricultural industry representatives, at this time of year, I travel the country, conducting farm visits and regional
20 March 2015
Land redistribution ‘needs new laws’
The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal is conducting public hearings on land restitution to establish better ways of fast-tracking the process,
19 March 2015
New farmers take root in South Africa's old tribal lands
New farmers are turning the soil to profit in South Africa's old tribal homelands as Pretoria speeds the transfer of land from
19 March 2015
PIC invests R22 billion in two Northern Cape solar power plants
The state-owned Public Investment Corporation (PIC) said it has taken 20 percent stakes Ilanga and Xina power stations in the
18 March 2015
Eskom needs four more massive power stations: report
New research conducted by the Institute of Race Relations (IRR) says that South Africa, and Eskom in particular, will need to have
18 March 2015
DNV GL survey: 82% of global industry respondents say electricity system can be 70% renewable by 2050
In ‘Beyond Integration: Three dynamics shaping renewables and the grid,’ a recent global industry research initiative, DNV GL, the
18 March 2015
Italian company begins construction on three 231MW solar plants in South Africa
Italian company Enel Green Power (EGP) has announced that the construction on three solar PV plants in South Africa has
18 March 2015
Department of Rural Development and Land Reform & Department of Environmental Affairs on their 2013/14 Annual Reports
The DRDLR assured the Committee that the Department’s annual report was broken down into provinces. The Department had 51 people it
17 March 2015
‘Blacks own less than 1% of Cape farms’
Less than 1 percent of family farms in the Western Cape are owned by black farmers.
This is according to African
17 March 2015
Black consciousness and the land question
A Sowetan article of the 6th September 2013, states that 14% of audited land in South Africa is in the hands of the state, and 79 %
17 March 2015
Department of Rural Development and Land Reform Strategic Plan 2015 - 2020
“Building vibrant, equitable, and sustainable rural communities”
During the period from 1994 to 2009, land reform
17 March 2015
Abengoa Completes $660 Million Debt Financing For Xina Solar One In South Africa
Abengoa has successfully completed debt raising for its Xina Solar One concentrated solar power project in South
17 March 2015
Study says willing buyer, willing seller still best for Namibia
The willing buyer, willing seller model was still the best for Namibia’s land reform, despite its shortcomings, according to a
16 March 2015
90 years later, claim returns land
The heritage-rich community of Ebenhaezer on the West Coast is poised to break the land claims logjam in the Western Cape with the
16 March 2015
South Africa President Jacob Zuma Manipulates Traditional Leaders
South Africa President Jacob Zuma should not be given or allowed powers to manipulate traditional leaders for personal political
15 March 2015
The Expropriation Bill is back and it is still unconstitutional
The 2015 Bill is just as unconstitutional as its predecessors of 2008 and 2013. It still gives the State the power to take ownership
13 March 2015
S.Africa land policies not hurting farm loans - Standard Bank
Lending to the South African farming sector is not being hurt by uncertainty over possible reforms which could see foreign
13 March 2015
Why size matters for farmers
In his State of the Nation address last month, President Jacob Zuma announced government plans to impose a land ceiling of 12 000
13 March 2015
Land Claim Could Halt South Africa Renewable Energy Project
A land claim brought against South Africa’s largest sugar farmer threatens to stop a 1.1 billion rand ($90 million) renewable-energy
12 March 2015
Northern Cape to develop 244MW wind energy as part of REIPPPP
In South Africa, Chinese power producer China Longyuan Power Group has received funding for the development of two wind farms in
12 March 2015
An innovative project makes inroads into the land issue
IN A WEEK in which African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Gwede Mantashe and leaders of farmers’ associations were
11 March 2015
Ingonyama Trust Board 3rd Quarter 2014/15 Performance Report
The Committee was briefed by the Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB) on its third quarter 2014/15 performance and financial report.
11 March 2015
Zuma hears Khoi, San demands for land
President Jacob Zuma walked into fiery demands for land restitution from Khoi and San leaders
10 March 2015
Solar thermal technology holds potential to be major game changer in SA
Countries all around the world are looking to tap into the power of the sun to increase their energy independence, improve their
10 March 2015
Milestone for South Africa's newest hydropower project: Neusberg
Southern Africa’s newest hydropower plant met its final project milestone in January, achieving full commercial operation, and was
10 March 2015
Enel Green Power: Works begin on three new plants in South Africa
Enel Green Power (EGP) has begun construction on three photovoltaic plants (Aurora, Paleisheuwel, Tom Burke) in South
10 March 2015
Agroecology can feed Africa - not agribusiness
There is plenty of evidence that the livelihoods of farmers and communities can be improved, and that agroecology can deliver a
10 March 2015
Capping farm sizes won't work say experts
Agricultural experts have panned government’s plan to cap farm sizes at 12 000ha and ban foreign ownership as politically expedient
10 March 2015
Analysis: Land politicised, land divided
“In fact it is beyond comprehension how a land as majestically stirring, as abundantly endowed with human and natural resources, as
10 March 2015
DFI announces ‘realistic’ land reform strategy
South Africa’s Deciduous Fruit Industry (DFI) has announced its industry-driven land reform initiatives which it says are a
9 March 2015
Zuma remarks on land reform chided
PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma’s off-the-cuff remarks in which he called on traditional leaders to make land claims on behalf of communities
9 March 2015
To address the global food crisis, we have to address the power of big agribusiness
At the beginning of March, the Guardian
8 March 2015
Cape aims for ‘at least 70% success’ in agricultural land-reform projects
THE Western Cape wants to ensure that at least 70% of all agricultural land-reform projects are successful over the next five
6 March 2015
Foreign land Bill a 'setback' for economy
South Africa cannot be compared to other countries that forbid foreign ownership of land, say economists in response to a
6 March 2015
Zuma reveals family to lodge land claims
PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma on Thursday revealed for the first time that the Zuma family would be
6 March 2015
South African Land Reform Is Negotiable, Minister says
The issue of land reform has put the South African government under pressure to transform the agricultural sector and address
6 March 2015
Government to Improve Delivery of Services in Traditional Communities
President Jacob Zuma has announced that government will this year introduce the Traditional and Khoisan Leadership and Governance
5 March 2015
Zuma encourages use of lawyers for land claims
President Jacob Zuma has again urged traditional leaders to get lawyers
5 March 2015
Zuma addresses National House of Traditional Leaders
President Jacob Zuma addressed the National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL) on
5 March 2015
Has land reform lost its purpose?
FEW ISSUES in contemporary SA arouse as much emotion as "the land question", or reveal as little clarity on purpose. On radio
5 March 2015
Department of Rural Development & Land Reform: 3rd quarter 2014/15 performance & progress report on its DPME MPAT evaluation
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) briefed the Committee on its third quarter 2014/15 performance and
4 March 2015
Base new land policy on future, not past
AFTER so many false starts, we have surely learnt enough lessons about land reform to make the right decisions. A black
4 March 2015
Proposed South Africa farm size limit is negotiating tactic – minister
A proposal by the South African government to limit farm size to 12 000 ha is a "negotiating tactic" as it tries to press ahead with
4 March 2015
South Africa Needs Debate on Land-Ownership Cap, Minister Says
South Africa should hold further discussions on plans to cap the amount of land an individual can own and doesn’t want the process
4 March 2015
2nd and 3rd Quarter Performance Report for 2014/15: Department & AGSA briefing; Progress report on deregistration of Ncera Farms, with Deputy Minister
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, together with the Office of the Auditor-General of South Africa, briefed the
3 March 2015
Solar PV energy move welcomed
The solar energy industry has welcomed the Budget announcement that the government intends to make solar photovoltaic (PV) energy
3 March 2015
SA company’s solution to energy crisis
The cost of generating electricity by solar technology has finally dropped below that of conventional fossil fuel technology and is
3 March 2015
KaXu One to ease pressure on national grid
Apart from Medupi’s Unit 6 starting to produce power, it’s also hoped a new solar energy plant in the Northern Cape will help ease
3 March 2015
Land, Dignity & Democracy: South Africa's Constitution Does Allow for Expropriation
At a public discussion on the land question in Johannesburg on Friday, February 27, Dikgang Moseneke, the Deputy Chief Judge of the
3 March 2015
Turbines boosting mine power – AngloGold
Gold major AngloGold Ashanti is installing
2 March 2015
Western Cape sets up land reform advisory desk
THE Western Cape provincial government has established a land reform advisory desk to help to speed up transformation in the
2 March 2015
Mantashe's populism an attempt to shift the blame - Thomas Walters
Reports this week quote Gwede Mantashe, Secretary General of the ANC, as "warning" farmers in South Africa to work with the ANC on
1 March 2015
I had a farm in Africa
Land reform remains a deeply emotive issue in South Africa. A cornerstone of colonial rule and subsequently of apartheid (as well
28 February 2015
Chief’s land claim disputed
The chief who has laid claim to vast tracks of land east and north of the city is not a traditional leader and has no right
27 February 2015
King’s culture call is all about land
KING Goodwill Zwelithini made a fiery speech in Kokstad recently in which he declared 2015 to be the Year of the Regiment. He urged
27 February 2015
Post-1994 land laws mimic apartheid
Despite making all the right noises, South Africa has done little to correct its legacy of
27 February 2015
Land redistribution: Freedom Front Plus bewildered by R4.7bn allocated to land reform
BUDGET allocations for land reform will be dependent on the Departments of Rural Development and Land Reform, and of Agriculture,
26 February 2015
‘Land ownership limit applies to everyone’
Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti says government’s plan to limit
25 February 2015
Foreigners with farms over 12 000ha must sell
Foreigners with land holdings above the proposed cap of 12 000 hectares will - once the land holdings bill is signed into law -
25 February 2015
Zimbabwean ruin looms large as SA land reform kicks into gear
Modern Zimbabwe is a reminder of how critical for South Africa to get its ‘land reforms right. It is well documented how Mugabe’s
24 February 2015
Government will 'not do anything foolish': Minister Nkwinti reassures on land ownership
Briefing journalists at Parliament on aspects of the Regulation of Land Holdings Bill, set to be processed by Parliament, he
24 February 2015
Land Holdings Bill to be submitted to Parliament this year
THE long-term leaseholds that will be available to foreigners for agricultural land will be for a minimum of 30 years, Rural
24 February 2015
Massive gains from renewable energy – study
SA’s fledgling renewable energy sector contributed R5.6bn worth of benefits to the country last year, according to a study by the
23 February 2015
Gold mine to fork out R3 billion for solar farm
Sibanye Gold, one of the country’s biggest gold-producing mines, announced last week
23 February 2015
South Africa: Staking a claim
Land reform has been high on the ANC’s agenda since Nelson Mandela led the party to a historic victory at the country’s first
23 February 2015
Sibanye to build R3bn solar plant
SOUTH African-focused Sibanye Gold plans to build a R3-billion solar-powered power plant to weather electricity shortages in
21 February 2015
Agri minister calls on farmers to engage with government
Agri minister calls on farmers to engage with government
During a recent interview with Farmer’s
21 February 2015
Why Jacob Zuma's South Africa land policy is smoke screen
The obvious reason why the bill is a public relations exercise by an embattled president is simply because vast tracks of land are
19 February 2015
World Bank to Boost Africa’s Power Supply With New Solar Scheme
The World Bank Group will boost access to modern alternative energy across Africa through a new solar energy scheme. According to
19 February 2015
Pretoria land claim might be invalid
The Regional Land Claims Commission has appointed an independent researcher to investigate a land claim involving large parts of
19 February 2015
Chief in huge land claim
He has laid claim to vast tracts of land in the capital – including Mamelodi, Mahube Valley, Silverton, Montana Park, Derdepoort
19 February 2015
Turnaround strategy for Recapitalisation and Development Programme: Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) presentation
The turnaround strategy for the Recapitalisation and Development Programme (RADP) was presented against the backdrop of the
18 February 2015
This is how govt's new land policies will work - Bheki Cele
The MAXIMUM ceiling set will include all commodities. We are aware that 12 000 hectares exceeds the average farm size. But as you
18 February 2015
South Africa To Ban Foreign Land Ownership?
Landowners in South Africa again are focused on a governmental land reform policy that seeks to prohibit foreign ownership of land
18 February 2015
Task team assembled for massive Pretoria land claim
The land claims, published in the Government Gazette in December 2014 and February 2015 respectively, were registered by Mkwaduba
17 February 2015
Proposed South Africa ban on foreign land ownership aimed at farms: minister
A South African government proposal to ban foreign nationals from owning land will apply to farms, not residential property, a
17 February 2015
Land ownership rules ‘scare off investors’
Government’s moves to restrict land ownership by foreign nationals is set to impact the economy, as South Africa’s regulatory
17 February 2015
South Africa to add more renewable energy to its power grid
The department of energy has said that the country has a high level of renewable energy potential and presently has in place a
12 February 2015
Project Ozwathini Forest Certification in a multifunctional Landscape
This film shows the challenges faced by a community of plantation owners in Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa as they look to get
21 January 2015
Green fund ‘unused’
It is claimed a fund of more than R300m for renewable energy projects is unused at a time when the country is grappling with load
20 January 2015
Cheaper Solar: Is This The End Of State Monopoly In Africa’s Electricity Sector?
African countries need to focus more on solar energy that is readily available and getting cheaper every day, rather invest heavily
14 January 2015
