The countrywide consultation-process, which was due to be concluded at the end of November, is considering the Green Paper's underlying three key principles, namely - de-racialisation of the rural economy for shared and sustained growth; democratic and equitable land allocation and use across gender, race and class; and strict production discipline, aimed to guarantee national food security.
Rural Development Minister Gugile Nkwinti met the National Reference Group (NAREG) - an inclusive structure representing interest groups, ranging from beneficiaries, organised agriculture and civil society to academics and experts on land and agrarian issues. The minister sought to review progress made by the task teams, as well as to discuss proposals on policy, strategy and legislation. According to Bua News, Nkwinti told the meeting that, with the extension, he expected more interested stakeholders to come forward and contribute in the shaping of the Green Paper.
He said some people criticised the Green Paper as a "thin 12-page document", failing to realise that it was a framework reflecting on past injustices, the vision for land reform in South Africa, the principles to underpin the land reform and the institutions needed to implement that vision. Nkwinti added that stakeholders were expected to interrogate the Green Paper and add flesh to the document in an inclusive process. The minister invited members of the public as well as interest groups to participate in the consultation process and contribute towards developing an effective and responsive land tenure system in South Africa.
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View the Land Reform Green Paper.
