If one looks at the legislation that we have just passed to secure tenure for farmworkers and increase publicity regarding this in order for labour tenants to understand their rights, it becomes clear that this is a matter that South Africa cannot continue to postpone. In my view, and I think hon members will agree with me, the sooner we confront the land question in South Africa, and confront it earnestly, with the aim of resolving it and with the aim of dealing with our past and creating our future, the better it will be. We would actually be engaged in a much more fruitful debate than debating what Zimbabwe should do or should not do. [Interjections.]
My own view is that land is not just an emotive issue, as others would like us to believe, but it is a productive base for many of our people. It is also an asset on which we can base our primary economic objectives.
In pursuit of land reform goals, our primary objective is to create and maintain an equitable and sustainable land dispensation in support of reconstruction, growth and development. In the past five years we have laid the basis both in terms of legal instruments and programmes for addressing the legacy of our past.
In my policy statement dated 11 February 2000, I clearly outlined the following: that we continue our commitment to the Government's objective set in the RDP document - to increase access to land, particularly agricultural state land, for those who were previously disadvantaged.
A number of hon members will remember that in the RDP document we said we would release 30% of farm land to those who were previously disadvantaged. This was our ultimate objective, which we still stand by, but which we have not been able to meet so far. However, we cannot meet this objective unless we work together, in partnership, with those who are current landowners and those who are aspiring to own. I also outlined the need to accelerate the integration of the work of the two departments within the Ministry, particularly land and agriculture, as well as to formulate policies for the implementation of our land reform, which continues to be our challenge. We are also saying to ourselves that we need to consolidate and rationalise land administration laws in respect of land reform in our country, as well as creating a system of land tenure and statutory rights that can be understood by all.
The Budget Vote of the Department of Land Affairs represents one of the key instruments in the delivery of our core objectives. In presenting the Budget Vote, I will begin by indicating the achievements that have been made, the challenges that continue to confront us and the programmes and budgetary implications in dealing with this. Delivery under the restitution programmes has shown steady progress. This has been reflected in the exponential increase in the number of settled claims, from 41 claims settled in March 1999 to the 3 919 claims which had been settled by 3 April 2000. I want to say that this is indeed an indication of how we have hit the ground running.
To this extent, I would like to thank the regional commissioners and the Land Claims Commission, particularly those who have worked to ensure that we meet the deadline we set ourselves, of that 3 000 claims by 30 March. We have actually exceeded that. The improved pace of delivery in land restitution is becoming more evident as more claims are concluded and, where possible, people are returning to the land. Those who do not want to return are given their due compensation.
Recently, a restitution agreement totalling about R15 million was signed with the Putfontein landowners in the North West, resulting in the restoration of land to the communities that were forcibly removed. Progress has also been made in negotiating a settlement of claims in cases such as Pelcrown in Port Elizabeth, Schmidtsdrift in the Northern Cape, Sophiatown in Gauteng and Paynville. We shall continue with this pace and ensure that, as far as possible, we deal with the backlog of the claims that we still have in the restitution process.
I must say that I am mindful of some of the difficulties that the commissioners in the different provinces have experienced, but, also, I think it is correct to indicate that we do realise that there were certain problems in terms of the performance of some of the commissioners, which we have actually resolved, as expressed by hon members from the Northern Province and Mpumalanga. We have not been deaf to their concerns, but we have actually acted.
In a growing number of cases, local authorities, particularly, have seen that restitution can benefit development in their own areas. A concerted effort has been made to increase their involvement and that of other sectors of society to combine their efforts in bringing about the resolution of claims and promoting reconciliation.
I would like to indicate that the case which we will be settling on Sunday, 16 April in East London, the West Bank claim, has actually been a claim on which we have worked together with local authorities and the Department of Housing. When those communities go back to their land, they will not just go to a barren piece of land, but they will go back to land with infrastructure and housing development.
This recent experience will serve as a demonstration of the fact that, indeed, a comprehensive, well-designed and targeted land reform programme can serve as a basis for economic transformation, social cohesion and development.
A policy on a standard settlement offer for urban claims is now being debated. This will allow even greater acceleration of claims delivery.
In support of the restitution process, preliminary budgets of R149,5 million for 2001 and R187,9 million for 2002 have been made available. An amount of R100 million is due to be spent in 2000. We hope that we will be able to live up to our standard in ensuring that these budgeted amounts will be spent in record time.
Concerning the restitution process, priorities for the next two years will focus on speeding up the settlement of restitution claims, reviewing the current methods of calculating monetary value, reducing administrative costs through closer collaboration with other relevant departments so that we can mobilise and use available Government resources, refocusing our efforts in settling rural claims in particular, and restructuring the restitution process to enable the speeding up of the settlement of such claims.
As a department we have committed ourselves to another important programme, namely that of tenure reform. A legislative land reform programme was initiated which integrates land reform legislation. The guiding principles which will inform this proposed legislation are: Redistribution and land tenure reform that is in line with the constitutional provision of equality, in order to ensure that everybody can have a title to his or her land; an integrated approach which links land redistribution to tenure reform, thus providing land as well as security of tenure; the promotion of co-operative governance and integration between the different spheres of government and other departments; and a unitary, nonracial system of land rights administration in South Africa. This is what we hope to achieve with the new legislation.
Communal land is another matter we need to deal with in South Africa. I think one of the challenges that we face is that, as a country, we still remain - particularly at Government level, I would say - a nominee of tribal land, where we still act as a trustee. In respect of any development that takes place in tribal communities, Government still acts as trustee and decides whether the community can enter into whatever form of developmental partnership. I am sure that, as a new democracy, we will ensure that this situation changes. However, as we review the situation, we need to ensure that we work closer with traditional communities and their leaders in finding a better way to retain the security of tenure of those communities while, at the same time, allowing for development objectives to be realised in those areas.
Groups of farmers, as well as those people who seek other forms of development, have expressed their frustration when it comes to land in communal areas. Because there are no statutory rights currently in place, those communities do not have access to the financial services that any city dweller can access. This poses a hindrance. I would say iinkosi zethu [our chiefs] would be far more helpful in working with us to resolve the tenure system in communal land areas. I would venture to say that, as a woman, I hope the issue of gender equality is taken into account when resolving this problem, particularly as we know that, in a number of our communities, there are households led by women. There is another important matter with regard to state land management that I want to refer to. We agreed with our MECs that state agricultural land will be administered by the provincial departments of agriculture, through a power of attorney which will be given to the responsible MECs. This will enable us to move speedily with our programmes for farmer development and economic growth in agriculture.
It will also shorten the administrative process where decisions, which can be taken at local level, have to go up to Pretoria to be finalised by the Minister. I think it is important to indicate that, as part of our working together with the Department of Agriculture, we in Land Affairs have agreed that we will strive to ensure that young people and women are targeted as beneficiaries when we implement a farmer settlement programme.
We will also ensure that, where possible, we endeavour to give human resource development and capacity-building support to those who will be put on land as new beneficiaries.
Other matters within this budget will be dealt with by the Deputy Minister with regard to the land survey as well as the deeds and special planning.
In conclusion, I would like to thank the chairperson of the select committee and other members for the way in which they were able to interact with us on the budget review. We do note that the time was not enough and it is our hope that, during this year, there will be more dynamic contact, because they are our ears and eyes as well as being the ears and eyes of the MECs of the provinces to ensure that we bring synergy into this portfolio because it is one system which is not fragmented.
I would also like to thank the Deputy Minister for the support he continues to give, as well as his leadership in the areas of his responsibilities both in the area of land and agriculture. I thank the directors-general as well as the officials from other parastatals who have been very useful and who have really worked hard. I think they deserve leave because of the way in which they have been pushed to ensure that we achieve the objectives that we have achieved so far. [Applause.]
Mnr H G VAN RENSBURG (Wes-Kaap): Agb Voorsitter, baie dankie vir die geleentheid om in u Raad te mag optree. Ek wil my toespraak die naam gee van ``Landbou reik uit'', oftewel ``Agriculture reaches out'' in Engels.
Ek wil baie dankie s aan die agb Minister, Thoko Didiza, en aan adv Dirk du Toit vir hulle vars en nuwe benadering tot landbou. Ek wil ook dankie s aan my mede-LUR'e vir hulle gees van samewerking.
Landbou in hierdie provinsie skep werk vir duisende mense in die landelike gebiede, en ons kan geklassifiseer word as een van die mees gevorderde streke in Afrika. Dit is hoofsaaklik te danke aan die uitvoergerigtheid van die vrugte- en wynbedryf. Ons landbou kan egter nie die inherente risiko's van die bedryf ontwyk nie. Hiervan is die afgelope maande van brande en rampe 'n voldonge bewys. Dt en die vinnig veranderende mark maak die modernste tegnologie nodig om produkte en markpryse te stabiliseer.
Die Organisasie van die Verenigde Nasies oor Voedsel en Landbou is van mening dat as ons die sukses van sommige Asiatiese en Afrikalande in ag neem, dan behoort regerings ten minste 25% van hul begrotings aan landbou en landelike ontwikkelingsprogramme te bestee. Ek glo minister Thoko Didiza sal die woordjie wat ek by die Kabinet daarvoor probeer doen, waardeer. Landbou word nog steeds beskou as die bron van ekonomiese groei in Afrika en die grootste teenvoeter vir hongersnood en armoede. Landbou voorsien 70% van die werkgeleenthede in Afrika suid van die Sahara.
In die Wes-Kaap se susterprovinsie Beiere word 5% van hulle begroting aan landbou bestee, terwyl ons in die Wes-Kaap net 0,67% van ons begroting aan landbou spandeer. Vir die volgende boekjaar, die 2000-01 boekjaar, is die begroting landbou in die Wes-Kaap van R77,8 miljoen verhoog na R84,7 miljoen, 'n verhoging van R6,9 miljoen waarvoor ek baie dankbaar is. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Mr H G VAN RENSBURG (Western Cape): Hon Chairperson, thank you very much for the opportunity to speak in your House. I want to call my speech ``Agriculture reaches out''.
I want to say thank you very much to the hon the Minister, Thoko Didiza, and Adv Dirk du Toit for their new approach to agriculture. I also want to say thank you to my fellow MECs for their spirit of co-operation.
Agriculture in this province creates work for thousands of people in the rural areas, and we can be classified as one of the most advanced regions in Africa. This is mainly thanks to the export-driven fruit and wine industry. Our agriculture cannot escape the inherent risks of the industry. The fires and disasters in recent months are irrefutable proof of this. This and the fast-changing market require the most modern technology in order to stabilise products at market prices.
The food and agriculture organisation of the United Nations is of the view that if we take the success of certain Asiatic and African countries into consideration, governments should spend at least 25% of their budgets on agricultural and rural development programmes. I believe that Minister Thoko Didiza will appreciate the word that I am trying to put in with the Cabinet in this regard. Agriculture is still regarded as being the source of economic growth in Africa and the greatest counter to famine and poverty. Agriculture provides for 70% of the job opportunities in Africa south of the Sahara.
In the Western Cape's sister province, Bavaria, 5% of their budget is spent on agriculture, while we in the Western Cape spend only 0,67% of our budget on agriculture. The budget for the coming financial year, the 2000-2001 financial year, in the Western Cape has been increased from R77,8 million to R84,7 million, an increase of R6,9 million, for which I am very grateful.]
Agriculture in the Western Cape reaches out to other countries. In order to stay at the forefront of technological developments in agriculture and thus to stay at the top of the treadmill, we are currently in the process of embarking on a number of joint projects with institutes from abroad. Not only has this international experience shown that in doing so the cost of technology development can be significantly lowered, but it will result in the most up-to-date technology being available to our farmers.
Die doel van die wetgewing met betrekking tot produkte van oorsprong is om 'n bemagtigende en 'n vrywillige raamwerk vir landbouers te ontwikkel waarmee hulle hul produkte kan differensieer. Op hierdie manier kan 'n paar van die probleme van die plaasprobleem omseil word. Aangesien tradisionele produkte grootliks aan die orde van die dag is, sal voorheen benadeelde gemeenskappe die meeste voordeel uit hierdie wetgewing trek. Konsepwetgewing word binnekort vir insette van die publiek gepubliseer.
Landbou in die Wes-Kaap reik uit na nuwe boere omdat dit vir ons 'n saak van erns is dat ons nuwe landbouers suksesvol gevestig word. Hierin sal ons die nasionale Departemente van Landbou en Grondsake ten volle ondersteun. Ons sal ook gevestigde nuwe boere aan die hand neem, bystaan en oplei om winsgewend te wees.
Ek wil 'n beroep op die Regering doen om staatsgrond aan provinsies beskikbaar te stel sodat ons opkomende boere so gou moontlik kan vestig. Ek wil die Minister bedank vir wat sy nounet ges het. Ons sal graag met haar hieraan wil saamwerk.
Grondeise moet so gou moontlik geprosesseer en afgehandel word. In die afgelope vyf jaar het die Kommissie op Herstel van Grondeise Suid-Afrika bykans R75 miljoen gekos. In hierdie tyd is 3 000 van die 63 400 eise afgehandel. Teen hierdie tempo - en minister Didiza het dit geskaleer en dit gaan beter - as 'n mens dit vooruit projekteer, gaan dit nog ten minste 20 jaar neem om af te handel. Dt sal ons drasties moet versnel. Ons moenie toelaat dat frustrasies ontstaan omdat die proses te stadig is nie. As grondhervorming in Suid-Afrika te stadig plaasvind, kan landbouers nie beskuldig word nie, maar sal die Regering self die skuld moet dra.
Dit is lofwaardig om te sien hoeveel inisiatiewe gegenereer word deur landbouers om hulle plaaswerkers te bemagtig. Daarvoor is ek dankbaar en trots op die landbouers van die Wes-Kaap. Hulle is nie deur wetgewing hiertoe verbind nie, maar doen dit uit hulle eie vrye wil.
Plaaswerkers speel 'n onontbeerlike rol in die ekonomie van die land. Kom ons gee erkenning vir die belangrike werk wat hulle doen. Daar kan gerus meer met hulle gepraat word, en minder oor hulle gepraat word. Daar kan gerus meer vir hulle gedoen word, en minder wette oor hulle gemaak word.
Ek wil die besetting van plase in Zimbabwe ten sterkste veroordeel. As gewelddadige intimidasie plaasvind, mag ons nie siende blind wees nie. Dit is ons plig om die regering, sy burgers en hulle eiendom te beskerm. As ons verantwoordelik wil optree, ontwikkeling en beleggings in ons streek wil bevorder, sal ons hierdie onheilspellende stilte oor die gebeure in Zimbabwe moet verbreek. Kom ons wees ook hir die leier in Afrika en bedien ons bure met goeie raad, en skep so vertroue onder internasionale beleggers en wreldleiers. President Mugabe dobbel nie net met die toekoms van sy eie land nie, maar ook met die toekoms van die hele Suider-Afrika.
Ek wil 'n beroep op president Mbeki doen om hom in die openbaar hieroor uit te spreek. Menseregte mag nie so geskend word nie. Laat ons almal saamwerk om grondhervorming in Suidelike Afrika ordelik te laat plaasvind. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[The objective of the legislation relating to products of origin is to develop an empowering and voluntary framework for agriculturalists by means of which they can differentiate their products. In this way a few of the problems relating to the farm problem can be circumvented. Since traditional products are in the main the order of the day the previously disadvantaged communities will benefit most from this legislation. Draft legislation will shortly be published for input by the public.
Agriculture in the Western Cape reaches out to new farmers, because we are serious about our new agriculturalists being settled successfully. In this respect we will lend our full support to the national Departments of Agriculture and Land Affairs. We will also take our established new farmers by the hand, assist them and train them in order to become profitable.
I want to appeal to the Government to make state land available to the provinces so that we can settle emerging farmers as quickly as possible. I want to thank the Minister for what she has just said. We should like to co- operate with her in this regard.
Land claims must be processed and completed as quickly as possible. In the last five years the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights has cost South Africa almost R75 million. During this time 3 000 of the 63 400 claims have been finalised. At this rate - Minister Didiza has accelerated this and progress has improved - if one were to project this in respect of the future it would take at least another 20 years to finalise. We will have to accelerate this dramatically. We must not allow frustrations to arise because the process is too slow. If land reform in South Africa takes place too slowly agriculturalists cannot be accused, but the Government itself will have to take the blame.
It is laudable to see how many initiatives are generated by agriculturalists to empower their farmworkers. I am grateful for that and proud of the agriculturalists of the Western Cape. They are not compelled by legislation to do this, they do it of their own free will.
Farmworkers play an essential role in the country's economy. Let us recognise the important work that they do. One may very well talk to them more and talk about them less. One may very well do more for them and make fewer laws about them.
I want to condemn the occupation of farms in Zimbabwe in the strongest possible terms. If violent intimidation takes place we may not be wearing blinkers. It is our duty to protect the government, its citizens and their property. If we want to be responsible, promote development and investment in our region we will have to break this ominous silence concerning events in Zimbabwe. Let us also be the leader in Africa in this respect and give our neighbours good advice, and in that way create confidence with international investors and world leaders. President Mugabe is not only gambling with the future of his own country, but also with the future of the whole Southern Africa.
I want to appeal to President Mbeki to voice his opinion about this publicly. Human rights may not be violated in this way. Let all of us co- operate so that land reform in Southern Africa can take place in an orderly fashion.]
In the spirit of the African renaissance, agriculture in the Western Cape reaches out to Africa. In order to accelerate the settlement of new farmers, I believe we should learn from the experience of other African countries. To this end I have just returned from an investigation into the settlement of small-scale farmers in Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania. I had extensive discussions with the Ministers of agriculture of the three countries, and visited various smallholder settlements in rural areas.
High-profile government leaders received this provinces' outreach initiative to Africa with unexpected praise and support. As far as we travelled, South Africa was seen as the measure for Africa. Failure in South Africa spells failure for Africa, and by the same token, success in South Africa spells success for Africa.
Six months ago I announced the development of the Doring River and Olifants River Irrigation Scheme as a dream project for this province. It now has the status of a provincial megaproject. I am proud to say that we have progressed significantly with this project. Next month Cabinet will make a decision on the allocation of R3 million towards the investigation of further scenarios. The importance of this scheme lies in its enormous job- creation potential for affected rural people and the settlement of new farmers.
Voorsitter, ten slotte wil ek s: Landbou wil uitreik en die hand uitsteek na alle ander sektore van die ekonomie. Kom ons laat Suid-Afrika werk. Daar is net een manier om dit te doen en dit is deur die moue op te rol, die hand aan die ploeg te slaan, nuwe grond te breek en met geloof ons dagtaak te verrig. Deur hard te werk, sal ons Suid-Afrika laat werk. [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[Chairperson, in conclusion I want to say: Agriculture will reach out and extend a hand to all other sectors of the economy. Come, let us make South Africa work. There is only one way of doing this and that is by rolling up our sleeves, taking up the plough, breaking new ground and doing our daily task in faith. By working hard we will make South Africa work. [Applause.]]