House Chair, the Portfolio Committees on Rural Development and Land Reform, and on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries undertook a joint oversight visit to the Northern Cape from 28 February to 1 March 2011; Limpopo from 2 to 4 March 2011; Free State from 25 to 29 July 2011; and Mpumalanga from 2 to 5 August 2011.
We resolved to undertake a joint oversight visit to the provinces as mentioned. The committees jointly visited 45 projects as listed in table one of this report. The focus of the oversight visit was to assess the implementation of the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme, CRDP, and the land reform programmes of redistribution, restitution and tenure reforms. The CRDP, the strategic priority within the current Medium-Term Strategic Framework, MTSF, of government, seeks to enable people in rural areas to take control of their own destiny, with the support of government, through optimal use and management of natural resources, in order to achieve the creation of vibrant and sustainable rural communities.
The committees assessed progress with regard to land redistribution and provisional complementary support services. They focused on the interventions of the department as mentioned. The committees sought to assess the progress being made towards achieving outcome seven of the MTSF, which aimed to ensure "vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities and food security for all."
The following recommendations, among others, were agreed upon: the two departments should, within two months after the adoption of this report, report to Parliament about progress in the settlement and finalisation of all land claims lodged by 31 December 1998. The report should outline the verifiable number of land claims still to be settled and finalised; the estimated amount of funding required for settlement and finalisation of all claims; and plans to secure such funding and by when all those land claims will be settled.
The Portfolio Committee on Rural Development and Land Reform should, within two months of adoption of this report, present to Parliament verifiable statistics about performance of restitution since 1994 to date; and the information should clarify the 95% of settled land claims per province. There are further recommendations.
Lastly, I would like to point out that the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform and also that of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries should enhance their capacity for co-ordination on land reform and agricultural support programmes integrated as a broader strategy for rural development. On behalf of the Rural Development and Land Reform and the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries portfolio committees, I table this joint report for consideration. I thank you. [Applause.]
There was no debate.