Hon Deputy Speaker, hon members, the effects of the Natives Land Act of 1913 and any other land grabs before that will never be properly addressed until the land is returned to its rightful and legitimate owners. This is an issue which some people would prefer not to talk about, but unfortunately, it will remain a disaster-in-waiting until it is properly addressed.
Even though there were never negotiations when the land was taken away from its people, the government, in dealing with land reform and land restitution, opted for democratic principles and came up with the willing- buyer, willing-seller concept. I believe it is now patently clear to everyone that the willing-buyer, willing-seller concept really inhibited the government's target of 30% of delivering commercial agricultural land. Actually, it has led government to achieve only a quarter of that 30% target.
The reason for the failure of this concept is the unscrupulous landowners who requited government's kindness with ingratitude. They manipulated the process and caused the prices to skyrocket in collusion with valuators. This brings me to something which has nothing to do with this Bill, but that I feel is relevant. Something has to be done by this Parliament about the exorbitant prices of immovable property in South Africa, especially here in Cape Town. Also the rentals that are being paid by people here are ridiculous.
The manipulation of the willing-buyer, willing-seller principle resulted in a snail's pace of land redistribution, hence this Bill before us. It follows automatically therefore that the UDM welcomes the establishment of the Office of the Valuer-General. Clause 12(1)(a) provides that whenever a property has been identified for purposes of land reform, that property must be valued by the Office of the Valuer-General for purposes of determining the value of the property, having regard to the prescribed criteria procedures and guidelines.
Idamsese, inyama yedada iphelile ngoku. [The time for freebies is over.]
We believe this will give an impetus to land reform and land restitution. It is also my submission that, believing otherwise, might be a case of one bigot attracting another mad bigot. It is actually people with a sporadic grip on reality.
This Bill is the same as the Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Bill. It is the dichotomy of goats and sheep. The UDM supports the Bill. [Applause.]