Malala: 'Land debate will consume South Africa'

Malala was speaking at the University of Johannesburg on Monday, focusing on the global revolution, urbanisation and digital transformation.

He says land remains a big debate in South Africa. 

“ Land is something that has been in South African politics since 1913 and there is a big debate now that has started. President Zuma has said in February land should be given without compensation and he has support from inside the ANC. Minister Lindiwe Zulu has said the constitution should be ammended and Minister Ayanda Dlodlo has said the ANC should have voted with the EFF on the issue of land expropriation. My view is that, for the next 10 years we will be consumed by the debate on land and that will have its own implications" says Malala.

He says South Africans should keep an eye on the ANC's policy conference in June. 

"The KZN ANC has put a referendum on the table. A bit like what happened with the Brexit vote in the UK. The referendum poses the question to people whether they support expropriation of land without compensation and if the constitution should be ammended. If the referendum is adopted at the conference, it will go to the national conference in December. If that is adopted we will likely have a referendum. If we have a referendum i have no doubt that people will vote yes on both questions” he says. 

Malala says even if there is no expropriation of land without compensation, the debate on land will remain a major debate in South Africa, as it has been avoided for a very long time.