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Why Jacob Zuma's South Africa land policy is smoke screen | Why Jacob Zuma's South Africa land policy is smoke screen |
(6 days later) | |
President Jacob Zuma's proposed land policy to ban foreigners from owning land in South Africa is a symbolic gesture to appease the radical left. | President Jacob Zuma's proposed land policy to ban foreigners from owning land in South Africa is a symbolic gesture to appease the radical left. |
The obvious reason why the bill is a public relations exercise by an embattled president is simply because vast tracts of land are not owned by foreigners. The owners are largely white farmers, who are South African citizens. | |
The president is under increasing pressure to explain what he meant when he told parliament last week that foreigners would be banned from owning land - a move that sent shockwaves through the property market. | The president is under increasing pressure to explain what he meant when he told parliament last week that foreigners would be banned from owning land - a move that sent shockwaves through the property market. |
Some members of his administration have come out to "clarify" his statement and play down its impact. | Some members of his administration have come out to "clarify" his statement and play down its impact. |
One of Mr Zuma's senior advisers, Mac Maharaj, said that people should "stop panicking". | One of Mr Zuma's senior advisers, Mac Maharaj, said that people should "stop panicking". |
Andrew Golding, head of Pam Golding Property Group, told me that "the total combined sales of land and houses per annum to foreign buyers constitutes about 1% in number and 2% in value". | Andrew Golding, head of Pam Golding Property Group, told me that "the total combined sales of land and houses per annum to foreign buyers constitutes about 1% in number and 2% in value". |
Damage control | Damage control |
This shows that South Africa's land problem will not be resolved through Mr Zuma's land bill as proposed in the raucous parliamentary meeting last week. | This shows that South Africa's land problem will not be resolved through Mr Zuma's land bill as proposed in the raucous parliamentary meeting last week. |
On the front page of the presidency website, it states: "The practice of limiting land ownership by foreign nationals is an established practice internationally." | On the front page of the presidency website, it states: "The practice of limiting land ownership by foreign nationals is an established practice internationally." |
It continues: "Not all immigrants to South Africa will be excluded from land ownership." | It continues: "Not all immigrants to South Africa will be excluded from land ownership." |
This is clearly damage control because in essence the governing African National Congress (ANC) is trying hard to attract a disgruntled constituency, like the one led by Julius Malema, a former party youth leader who was expelled after falling out with Mr Zuma. | This is clearly damage control because in essence the governing African National Congress (ANC) is trying hard to attract a disgruntled constituency, like the one led by Julius Malema, a former party youth leader who was expelled after falling out with Mr Zuma. |
Mr Malema's Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) wants to expropriate land (as well as mines and banks) without compensation. | Mr Malema's Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) wants to expropriate land (as well as mines and banks) without compensation. |
This is exactly what Mr Malema was advocating even when he was still with the ANC Youth League. | This is exactly what Mr Malema was advocating even when he was still with the ANC Youth League. |
Although the ANC was overwhelmingly re-elected last year, the EFF, fighting its first election, gained a creditable 25 seats, based on its radical manifesto. | Although the ANC was overwhelmingly re-elected last year, the EFF, fighting its first election, gained a creditable 25 seats, based on its radical manifesto. |
Apartheid legacy | Apartheid legacy |
Apart from trying to court left-wing voters, there is another, more legitimate, reason why President Zuma feels compelled to make such announcements in his second term. | Apart from trying to court left-wing voters, there is another, more legitimate, reason why President Zuma feels compelled to make such announcements in his second term. |
Twenty years after the end of white rule, land ownership is still skewed along apartheid lines. | Twenty years after the end of white rule, land ownership is still skewed along apartheid lines. |
The white minority owns most of the country's best land because of the Land Act of 1913. | The white minority owns most of the country's best land because of the Land Act of 1913. |
At the stroke of a pen, black people were dispossessed of their farms - they were left with just 13% of the land. | At the stroke of a pen, black people were dispossessed of their farms - they were left with just 13% of the land. |
However, if you think that South Africa will descend into a Zimbabwe style of chaotic land grabs, you will be making a huge mistake. | However, if you think that South Africa will descend into a Zimbabwe style of chaotic land grabs, you will be making a huge mistake. |
South Africa is not Zimbabwe. | South Africa is not Zimbabwe. |
President Zuma can be accused of many things, including corruption and ineptitude, but he is no Robert Mugabe. | President Zuma can be accused of many things, including corruption and ineptitude, but he is no Robert Mugabe. |
The president and the ANC insist that land distribution has to take place under the framework of the law. | The president and the ANC insist that land distribution has to take place under the framework of the law. |
Another real estate expert Samuel Seef said: "The reason for wanting to restrict ownership, and who this is meant to benefit, is rather difficult to gauge." | Another real estate expert Samuel Seef said: "The reason for wanting to restrict ownership, and who this is meant to benefit, is rather difficult to gauge." |
President Zuma's proposed Land Holdings Bill is only restricted to agricultural land, not residential properties. | President Zuma's proposed Land Holdings Bill is only restricted to agricultural land, not residential properties. |
It seeks to restrict locals from owning more than 12,000 hectares per person - roughly equivalent to two farms. | It seeks to restrict locals from owning more than 12,000 hectares per person - roughly equivalent to two farms. |
However, South Africa is becoming an increasingly urban society. | However, South Africa is becoming an increasingly urban society. |
Most of the people I have spoken to - both in South Africa's rich suburbs and townships - say they are not looking to become farmers. | Most of the people I have spoken to - both in South Africa's rich suburbs and townships - say they are not looking to become farmers. |
They want decent homes, jobs and good education for their children. | They want decent homes, jobs and good education for their children. |
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