Land reform showing progress: AgriSA
AgriSA says despite political rhetoric around
land reform, South Africa has made significant progress in this regard since
1994.
AgriSA President Dan Kriek released a new land audit on Wednesday.
He says: "The market does function. The figures are far better than what everyone quotes and it is not necessary for South Africa to go the radical route."
The audit found that previously disadvantaged people and government now own 26,7% of all farm land in South Africa as opposed to the 14.9% in 1994.
White farmers today own 73,3% of South Africa's agricultural land - more than 10% less than in 94.
The Freedom Front Plus says the audit dispels the myth that whites own 80% of the land.
FF Plus leader Dr Pieter Groenewald says the most significant finding is that commercial agricultural land (excluding the homelands) owned by white farmers decreased from 67% of the total surface area of South Africa in 1993 to 55% in 2016.
“I am currently eagerly awaiting the Minister’s report on the official national audit as it would be interesting to compare the two. The government had undertaken to make the report available to me by yesterday (Tuesday) already.
“What makes this audit especially valuable is the fact that we can compare it to the government’s so as to ensure that the true facts regarding landownership are laid on the table,” says Groenewald.