Former president Thabo Mbeki noted that South Africa is two nations in one: one rich and white, the other poor and black. I would argue that South Africa is actually three nations in one: the rich in cities, the poor in cities, and the even-poorer who live in communal land areas subject to the rule of traditional leaders. Virtually all black, the even-poorer are South Africa’s forgotten, with grand economic development strategies paying little attention to them.
Almost one-third of the country’s population still live in communal land areas, which are the remains of what once constituted the apartheid-era Bantustans.
Today, most communal land is trust land, formally belonging to government, but in effect managed by traditional leaders. One exception is the land that belonged to the former KwaZulu homeland, which was put under the control of the Ingonyama Trust shortly before the 1994 elections. Until his recent death, the trust, and by implication, the land it controlled (almost one-third of KwaZulu-Natal), was under the exclusive control of the Zulu king, who was the trust’s only trustee. Whether that will change under a new king remains to be seen.
Less than 20% of the working-age population in communal land areas have an income-generating job (compared with just over 40% for the country as a whole). This would rise to about 30% if subsistence farmers were included among the employed.
Tenure Rights
To a large extent, the poverty in communal areas can be linked to the lack of tenure rights. People live on and work the land, but do not have tenure security. Without tenure rights, they cannot pledge land or income from harvests as surety for loans to improve their land.
この記事は Farmer's Weekly の April 23, 2021 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Farmer's Weekly の April 23, 2021 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Understanding eye conditions in horses: causes and first aid
A horse can get a swollen eye from bumping it against a tree, shaking its head to keep flies away, or even snake venom
IPM requires a completely different mindset
You need to investigate any beneficial insects that may appear on your plants, or you can purchase them
Does parrot farming protect wild species?
Those in favour of commercial captive breeding argue that breeding parrots to sell can relieve pressure on wild populations. Researchers Neil D'Cruze and Rowan Martin review the evidence.
Bacterial and fungal diseases of garlic
Garlic can be prone to bacterial and fungal diseases, and it's important that farmers are proactive in preventing infection and practise appropriate management. Magda du Toit reports.
Responsible wastewater management: a crucial part of farming
The inadequate management of waste water is a challenge that the agriculture sector needs to deal with. Magda du Toit spoke to experts in waste and water management about a cost-effective treatment system.
Technology that can help protect South Africa's farms
Farm attacks, murders, livestock and crop theft, and other rural crimes are a growing concern in South Africa. As a result, more and more farmers are turning to advanced security technology to protect their lives, properties, and livelihoods. Sinenhlanhla Mncwango spoke to experts about the security strategies that producers can adopt to combat these threats.
The impact of theft on farms in South Africa
A high number of livestock are being stolen every year in South Africa. Insurance is expensive and farmers are battling to find solutions to the problem, says Dr Lindie von Maltitz, agricultural economics lecturer in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State.
Staying afloat amid the cost-price squeeze
John Hudson, head of agriculture at Nedbank Commercial Banking, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the importance of environmental and social sustainability for a prosperous agriculture sector.
Free State has no reason to mark Transport Month
Free State Agriculture (FSA) is very concerned about the extremely poor state of rural paved and gravel roads in the province and has very little, if anything, to celebrate during Transport Month, which takes place every October.
SA's food system ‘vulnerable to climate change'
The Just Transition Agenda for Food System Policymaking in SA webinar, hosted by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) in October, highlighted the role that South Africa’s food system plays in contributing to climate change and how vulnerable it is to the impact thereof.
