Aankondiging oor vrystelling van staatsgrond vir grondhervorming | Announcement of release of state land for land reform purposes
English to follow:
1 Oktober 2020
Agri SA verwelkom die aankondiging van Minister Thoko Didiza dat 700 000 hektaar staatsgrond vir landbou-doeleindes beskikbaar gestel sal word. Die voorgestelde ondersoek na staatsgrond wat reeds geokkupeer word, word ook verwelkom.
Willem de Chavonnes Vrugt, voorsitter van Agri SA se Grond Sentrum van Uitnemendheid, het gewaarsku dat daar gewaak sal moet word teen korrupsie. Hy het ook gesê dat die keuring van begunstigdes om te verseker dat die grond produktief vir landbou-doeleindes aangewend word, baie belangrik is. “Dit is jammer dat distriksgrondhervormingskomitees waarop georganiseerde landbou ook sitting gehad het, nie meer in plek is nie. Die privaatsektor en georganiseerde landbou kan ‘n baie waardevolle rol speel in die seleksie van begunstigdes en die ondersteuning van sodanige begunstigdes. Agri SA sal graag wil sien dat die distriksgrondkomitees sodanige kundigheid aan boord neem”, het De Chavonnes Vrugt bygevoeg.
Die opsie om te koop, wat aan begunstigdes gebied word, word verwelkom. Die Departement het egter ‘n baie swak baanrekord met die besuur van huurkontrakte. Agri SA neem kennis van die voorneme in die Minister se verklaring om binne 30 dae skriftelike huurkontrakte met begunstigdes aan te gaan. In die verlede het begunstigdes dikwels geen skriftelike huurkontrakte gekry nie. Agri SA is ten gunste van die toekenning van voltitel aan begunstigdes.
Die onderneming dat die grond produktief vir landbou-doeleindes bestuur sal word, is ook positief. De Chavonnes Vrugt het ook gesê.dat landbougrond ‘n skaars hulpbron is en dat dit krities belangrik is dat die beskikbare grond op ’n volhoubare wyse produktief aangewend moet word.
Navrae:
Willem de Chavonnes Vrugt
Voorsitter van Agri SA se Grond Sentrum van Uitnemendheid
Annelize Crosby
Hoof van Agri SA se Grond Sentrum van Uitnemendheid
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1 October 2020
Agri SA welcomed the announcement by Minister Thoko Didiza that 700 000 ha of state land will be made available for agricultural purposes. The organisation also welcomed the proposed inquiry into state land already occupied.
Willem de Chavonnes Vrugt, chair of Agri SA’s Centre of Excellence: Land, cautioned against corruption and said it is important when selecting beneficiaries to ensure that land is used productively for farming purposes. “It is regrettable that district land reform committees in which organised agriculture had been represented are no longer in place. The private sector and organised agriculture can play a valuable role in the selection of beneficiaries and support for such beneficiaries. Agri SA would like to see district land committees making use of such expertise,” added De Chavonnes Vrugt.
Agri SA also welcomed the option to purchase that will be afforded to beneficiaries. The department, however, has a poor track record when it comes to managing leases. The organisation took note of the Minister’s intention to conclude written lease agreements with beneficiaries within 30 days. In the past, beneficiaries had often not received written agreements. Agri SA is in favour of awarding full title to beneficiaries.
The undertaking that the land would be managed productively for farming purposes, is also positive. De Chavonnes Vrugt reiterated that agricultural land was a scarce resource and that it was crucial that available land be used productively in a sustainable manner.
Enquiries:
Willem de Chavonnes Vrugt
Chair of Agri SA’s Centre of Excellence: Land
Annelize Crosby
Head of Agri SA’s Centre of Excellence: Land
