Hon Deputy Chairperson, hon members, hon Minister Thoko Didiza, Deputy Minister Skwatsha and fellow South Africans, it is time that we take off our gloves and talk straight and honest about the land issue in this House. South Africans have had enough of this dilly dallying around the real issues on land.
It is time for this government to hand back tribal land to its private owners as individuals. We can no longer delay this issue or try to avoid it. We cannot have two sets of rules for South Africans: One for the truly free that have the individual right to own their property; and the other that are treated like children and are not trusted to hold their own land as individuals.
I have been asking myself this question for a few years now: Why does this government not want to issue full title to tribal communities? Well let me tell you why. Firstly, because it is a great mechanism to control the masses and keep them dependent, open to manipulation and fear. Secondly, because tsotsis can hide their wealth through this system, by channelling benefits of crime towards building mansions worth millions on tribal stands. In the process, it cannot ever be taken away from them because 'it does not actually belong to them'. It is also a great measure to evade taxes as it cannot be traced back to an individual.
So, why am I so adamant that tribal communities should own at least their residential stand and the property on it? Can you imagine the door it will open for economic growth and development? People will immediately have real usable wealth at their disposal. They will be able to approach banks for loans to finance a future for them and their children.
As they usually say: You need money to make money. It will expand the South African economy with billions by allowing trade of those properties as well. Job and business opportunities will open up in the newly established real estate market, where people can sell and buy houses, as well as invest in property.
Additionally, their property will now have value and that value will grow with inflation. Government will be able to expand on its revenue basis by charging property tax and capital gain tax, as well as crack down on tax evasion and illegal gains from criminal activities like fraud and corruption.
The morale of the people will be at an all-time high as they will now be the proud owners of their own properties, empowering them to decide how they will use it to benefit their families. They will be able to transfer wealth from the one generation to the next. Businesses will open and grow in these areas due to having security of ownership with no risk of losing their capital investment.
This is the dream I have for my fellow South Africans who live in the utmost poverty. Not just a dream, but a reality that is within reach. My question to you Minister: Do you have the political will and the guts to go against both the tribal leaders who want to keep control over the people, as well as your comrades who long for socialist ideas where everything belongs to the state?
The Constitution gives you not only a mandate to do this but, in fact, instructs that this racially discriminatory practice should be stopped and reformed. If you go and look in terms of the
Constitution in section 25, subsection (5) and (6) clearly explain this.
There is this big drive to end racial divide through changing spatial planning. I heard you mentioning it earlier, as well as the previous Minister on the previous debate around spatial planning. However, on the other hand, this government maintain this apartheid- designed system to keep people separate and under control. Minister, you have an opportunity to leave an everlasting mark and a legacy by being brave and changing this system. Do it now for the sake of the poor!
Hon Minister, when I asked in the Select Committee why there are no plans or a budget allocated to President Cyril Ramaphosa's dream to transfer state owned land which is not used to the landless people, your department's officials quickly jumped to say it is not under their jurisdiction as it is dealt with by an interministerial committee.
Now, I ask you here in front of the entire South Africa, today: What is your role going to be in this process; and what plans and budgets are in place to realize this commitment? Or is it just another dream
that will remain in La-La land? If you are serious about this then show us the money!
We need to invest in infrastructure like railroads to connect rural communities to opportunities that exist in our major cities and towns. Therefore Minister, you need to collaborate with our state- owned entities to ensure that this capital investment is expedited to create a framework for economic development in rural communities.
It is time to take some these fascists in red overalls head on regarding their continuous incitement to illegally invade both state-owned land and privately-owned land. It creates chaos and causes division amongst communities and deceives the poor and the landless.
Sepedi:
Wa bona le bot?a batho maaka. Le ba dira dibhari! [Interjections.]
English:
We cannot allow this, and I encourage you to condemn both these acts of incitement and illegal land grabs.
Sepedi:
Ke kgopela le mphe sebaka; ke nyaka go bolela. [Interjections.]
English:
We need to speed up the process of ensuring that state-owned land is released to provide fully serviced stands to people who are flocking to the cities in search of work and a better life. [Interjections.] There must be a proper co-operation between your department and local municipalities, and more specifically the metros, to ensure a smooth and fast process to address the land needs for residential purposes.
Deputy Chairperson, we can sit here and dream all we want but if we do not face the facts and be honest about the issues that hold us back, time will judge us badly. Believe me: That will not be good for any of us. We came from a long hard past, each person with their own different struggles that made us who we are as a nation - the rainbow nation.
We are tough, patient and full of love for peace and humanity. The foundation has been laid by great people, like the hon Nelson Mandela and Helen Suzman. We now we have a responsibility not to mess it up, but rather to build upon their sweat, blood and tears for a better South Africa for all.
The time has come to give people hope of a better future where everyone has an equal right and opportunity to own their own home and leave something of value to the next generation. Let's take off our gloves Minister and get to work for all South Africans - and I want to focus on all South Africans; not some South Africans, like some politicians are grandstanding here. Let's Build One South Africa for all with individual freedom, fairness and opportunities that embrace our diversity. Thank You
Sesotho:
Tokoloho, tekatekano le menyetla ya bohle! Ke a leboha.
English:
Thank you! [Applause.]