Motivations for Land Reform in Contemporary South Africa: The Case of Balobedu in Tzaneen, Province of Limpopo

Abstract

Land reform is an overdue process in various African states and South Africa is no exception. Due to its historical antecedents, post-apartheid South Africa is typically defined by entrenched inequalities, which encompass both social to economic disparities, of which land access is the most apparent. The Bolobedu community that was displaced to less fertile and overcrowded land epitomises the land conflict and the need for land, in South Africa. Just like Zimbabwe, the ineffectiveness of prevailing land reform, particularly the failure of the willing buyer, willing seller approach, has accelerated government’s calls for the adoption of land expropriation without compensation (LEWC). This policy of the ruling party is motivated by the restoration of people’s identity and justice on the other. This chapter adopts the Afrocentric perspective to engage LEWC and unravels the scepticism around the proposed policy. Contrary to the antagonists of this populist and radical policy, LEWC will reverse land-related inequality and resolve the lingering, major and national land issue. While the LEWC’s debate has become very sensitive, the state has the responsibility to address the root of the land conflict, and afford the masses the opportunity to enjoy the ‘real’ dividends of democracy.