The debate about Expropriation without Compensation ignores threats to the property rights of the rural poor contained in bills before Parliament.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation in collaboration with the Land & Accountability Research Centre (LARC), Plexus films and the Hanns Seidel Foundation had a round table and screening of “This Land”. Robust discussions at both events ensued centering on the future of land reform in South Africa, reflecting on the Constitutional Review Process and engaging with examples of dispossession and lack of accountability linked to the Traditional Khoi-San Leadership Bill and the Traditional Leadership Governance Framework Amendment Bill amendments before Parliament.
The film documents the stark denial of black property rights and of unequal citizenship. Black property rights are denied on the basis that customary law provides ownership only to traditional leaders – to the exclusion of ownership by ordinary people. Citizenship is denied to rural black people on the basis that they are primarily tribal subjects whose land rights are subject to autocratic decisions taken by traditional leaders who are not required to consult them, let alone obtain their consent.
Speakers:
Constance Mogale – Land Activist, working with the Alliance for Rural Democracy
Rev Mbhekiseni Mavuso – Land Activist working the Rural Network
Nozuko Poni – Storyteller and Project Manager for Ignite Your Rights
Emily Tjale – Gender Programme Officer and Care-Taking Directorship for the Land Access Movement of South Africa
To watch full screening and panel session click here
