Deputy Speaker, the ACDP acknowledges that the promulgation of the Natives Land Act in 1913 was the start of a dispensation in which Africans were prohibited from owning or renting land outside of designated reserves - a total of just 7,13% of South Africa's total land area.
The unemployment, persisting poverty, and deep inequality existing in South Africa today are undeniably linked to this and other legislation designed to enforce segregation. This exercise of co-ordinated oversight of the reversal of the legacy of these Acts is an important piece of the puzzle. I say piece of the puzzle simply because we know human existence is a complex and complicated matter which defies simple or even rational explanation at times.
Based on the ad hoc committee's observations and findings, we note recommendations directed at the Departments of Rural Development and Land Reform, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Human Settlements, Public Works, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and Arts and Culture to: finalise consultations, convene a national dialogue, assess skills, develop monitoring and evaluation systems for partnerships in mentoring programmes, draw lessons from best practice in South Africa, restructure land distribution, finalise policy and legislation, draw up memoranda of understanding, conduct audits and assessments, and much more.
To touch on just point in the short time that we have today, the ACDP is optimistic about the concept of a valuer-general to address the sluggish pace of redistribution of land in South Africa. Redistribution, which has relied on the willing-buyer, willing-seller principle to date, has experienced many problems. We acknowledge the obligation that the South African Constitution places on the state to "take reasonable legislative and other measures within its available resources" to effect land redistribution and that the Bill of Rights clearly allows for the state to expropriate property.
The Constitution does, however, prohibit the arbitrary deprivation of property and provides that expropriation be subject to the payment of compensation. Whilst it does not require the state to pay the market value, it is required to pay "just and equitable" compensation, "reflecting an equitable balance between the public interest and the interests of those affected."
The ACDP believes land reform would be better served if a dedicated valuations court existed to approve all forms of compensation in cases of forced expropriation. The ACDP also believes it is critical for all decisions and interventions to result in economic growth and food security. These must be a priority if people are to truly prosper and benefit from land redistribution. Thank you. [Applause.]