1 PRESENTED BY: DR. W. MALULEKE & MRS. BF. MFUSITHE NEXUS BETWEEN LAND RESTITUTION AND RURAL LIVESTOCK FARMING PRACTICES IN THE GREATER GIYANI MUNICIPALITY PRESENTED BY: DR. W. MALULEKE & MRS. BF. MFUSI Title slide – option 2
2 1. INTRODUCTION In terms of the official government policy, the South African restitution process is intended to: Restore land and other restitutionary remedies to people dispossessed by racially discriminatory legislation and practice by providing support to the vital process of reconciliation, reconstruction and development. Considerable percentage of land in the Greater Giyani Municipality (GGM) comprises of rivers, grazing land, subsistence farming, irrigation schemes and natural resources. Significant areas of land is owned by the State and under the custodianship of Traditional Authorities. Large tracts of high potential agricultural land is used for intensive and extensive farming activities.
3 2. THE PROBLEM STATEMENT The recent integrated Development Plan of GGM indicated that approximately 18,633 hectares of land in the GGM is under claim which in itself poses a very serious challenge when it comes to development. On the other hand land redistribution processes in the GGM may result in many people obtaining access to land, resulting in improved quality of life, while on the other hand it could result in large scale sterilisation of economic productive land, for example; the agricultural land and mining, which will lead to job losses if not well managed. By February 2014 there were 91 outstanding land claims in Mopani District and according to the Land Claims Commission 44 land claims were received from GGM. However, upon investigation it was discovered that only 11 land claims were found to be valid, the rest are still in the process of being validated. Furthermore, three land claims have already been fully settled and communities of those areas which include Hlomela, Siyandhani and Shimange will benefit in terms of their settlement agreement. This exclude Makosha and Xikukwana village.
4 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM CONT …The current challenges that the Land Claims Commission is faced with in the GGM are as follows: Counter claims or overlapping of claims. Validity of Chieftainship. Land owners challenging the validity of the claim. New land owners not having the expertise to continue with the production and running of the farm commercially. Capacity of staff to deal with all claims at once. Negative media reporting. Illegal land occupation is also a very serious challenge for the municipality. Land belonging to the municipality and traditional leaders is also illegally occupied and this has serious implications in terms of proper planning.
5 LAND UNDER CLAIM: MAKOSHA
6 LAND UNDER CLAIM: XIKUKWANI
7 3. STUDY PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVESThe purpose of this study was to explore the “nexus of land restitution and rural livestock farming practices in the GGM.” The objectives were to optimise land restitution for rural livestock farming practices in the GGM by: Determining the methods used by the traditional leaders for land restitution to practice rural livestock farming. Identifying factors that hinder effectiveness of the current procedures in the land restitution for rural livestock farming practices.
8 4. STUDY CONTRIBUTION This study made research following contribution to the body of knowledge constituting the nexus between land restitution and livestock farming practices in the GGM: Empirical Contribution Limited research has been conducted on the nexus between land restitution and rural livestock farming practices. Most data is reported on in the media but seldom validated from a scientific perspective. The availability of land is mostly focused on monetary value and other types of farming rather than the rural livestock farming practices.
9 5. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGYApproach: This study adopted qualitative research approach to identify the actual perceptions, opinions and views of the selected study participants in the subject of this study. Sampling technique - Study population, sample size and selection: the population for the study consisted of 22 participants as follows: 20:10 livestock farmers and 2 traditional leaders. Makosha and Xikukwana villages in the GGM were purposively selected for this study. Methods of data collection: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were adopted in this study. A voice recorder and note taking were used for two (2) Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with the livestock farmers and two (2) Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with the traditional leaders. Data analysis: The data was analysed according to the thematic method by reducing data into themes, sub-themes, concepts/similar features and categories. The recorded data was transcribed verbatim (word-to-word) and the reduction of data was facilitated with the aid of a voice recorder and written notes to analyse the later stage. This process was done manually, without the assistance of computerised or analytical software.
10 6. ANALYSIS OF KEY STUDY THEMESTHEME 1: Irregularities in awarding of land to the possible beneficiaries (invalid restitution claim) THEME 2: Inadequate knowledge on the application of land as spearheaded by group and communal claims THEME 3: Limited support and development needs for the rural livestock farmers
11 7. RECOMMENDATION AND STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING THE IDENTIFIED THEMES:THEME 1: The study recommends transparency in the allocation of land for rural livestock farming practices as the problem is standing at an increased point. Thoroughly inspection of land allocation should be adopted and the audit assessments on respective traditional leaders should be treated as a matter of priority. Finding of records, testimonies, tracing relatives and determining boundaries remains problematic. This is also coupled by illegal sales of land under claim. It is highly advised for the GGM to reconsider practices associated with the sale of the land under claim to the potential buyers as their efficiency and capacity is questioned. Due to the current growth of illegal sales of land in the municipality, more land needs to be made available for township establishment. Further, land for development needs to be planned according to the town planning requirements.
12 RECOMMENDATIONS AND STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING THE IDENTIFIED THEMES CONT …THEME 2: The study recommends that the rural livestock farmers be trained specifically in the application process of land and the selected areas should have a designated experts working closely with them in this regard. Constant lectures, workshops and quarterly refresher courses should be conducted by the municipality and other relevant stakeholders. Transparency (regular feedback to avoid conflicts) in the group and communal claims should be practiced at all times to afford easy processing of claims. THEME 3: The study recommend for the intensification of collaboration around the nexus between land restitution and rural livestock farming practices through strengthening and maintaining relationships will all relevant stakeholders within the municipality. Overall 35.9% of GPA population owned various livestock and 60.7% of household practiced livestock farming. Livestock farming is regarded as income generating activities in the GGM; this comprises of small-scale crop and livestock farming (Beans, potatoes, green pepper, tomatoes, banana, apples, cattle, pigs, chickens and goats and commercial farming - Crop farming, livestock farming of poultry) (Statistics South Africa, 2014 & 2015). The GGM should service and support the identified remote areas by prioritising low-cost feedlot system for rural livestock farmers.
13 8. CONCLUSION The main findings of this study are that GGM is still referred as “a Municipality where environmental sustainability, tourism and agriculture thrive for economic growth” and the land restitution remains very important in the area, however, the objectives of land restitution process are not met and the claimants are not satisfied with their current restitution awards living the rural livestock farming practices in the GGM under a severe risk. This study found that the implementation of restitution in GGM is a difficult task. The land is not distributed in transparency and the traditional leaders take custody of every land claim made within their jurisdiction. The overarching lesson seems to be lack of relationship between the local municipality and the rural livestock farmers, no tangible strategy exist to address the current practices. Currently rural livestock farming practices are undergoing serious decline owing to lack of available land for rural livestock farming. The study also acknowledges rural livestock farming practices as major contributors to the local economy and a backbone of Giyani local economy. The municipality has vast track of arable land only in the book as the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights, Land Claims Court, Department of Land Affairs and Trust and Communal Property Associations (CPAs) are currently working in isolation creating more complexity, confusing and difficulties in fast-tracking the claims. Dearths of literature indicate that the current strategies in land allocation in the rural areas are problematic and the relevant stakeholders do not effectively deal with this issue. As a result it became essential for other researchers to deepen this research, in order to give light to the rural livestock farmers for the betterment of the country’s economy holistically.
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