GQEBERHA – The Department of Land Reform and Rural Development says 74 outstanding land claims in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro still need to be processed. The update was shared during a ministerial stakeholder engagement at the Nangoza Jebe Hall in New Brighton today, 22 June.
According to the department, the engagement forms part of ongoing efforts to assess progress in land reform programmes, identify challenges and find ways to better support land claimants and rural communities in the province.
The meeting brought together beneficiaries, government officials and community members to discuss the status of land claims and other land reform matters.
Land claims are linked to the forced removal of black South Africans under apartheid laws such as the Natives Land Act of 1913 and the Group Areas Act of 1950, which resulted in many families losing their homes and land.
Addressing attendees, Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development Mzwanele Nyhontso said the department is working to convert lease agreements into title deeds, allowing beneficiaries to obtain full ownership of their land.
Nyhontso said this forms part of efforts by government to expand land ownership and give beneficiaries greater security over the land they occupy.
He added that President Cyril Ramaphosa had instructed the department to accelerate this process.
Speaking at the event, Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe said land restitution is not only about restoring land, but also about creating opportunities for communities.
“Reclaiming land is a form of economic action. It is part of healing and creating economic opportunities,” she said.
Lobishe encouraged beneficiaries to make productive use of the land they receive through the restitution process rather than selling it for compensation.
She said government would provide support to help beneficiaries use their land in ways that could generate income and benefit their families.
Eastern Cape Chief Director of the Regional Land Claims Commission, Zama Memela, said approximately 17 000 land claims have been lodged across the province since the land restitution process began.
He said the department continues to make progress in settling claims.
Among those attending the engagement was Motherwell resident Barbara Wathani, who said she remains concerned about the progress of some land claims.
Speaking to the Express, Wathani said she attended the meeting because she is aware of cases where people have allegedly been scammed by individuals posing as officials involved in the land claims process.
She said she was also seeking clarity on a matter involving land in Tsitsikamma that she believes belonged to her father. According to Wathani, distant relatives allegedly received compensation related to the property.
Wathani said she hopes the engagement will help her better understand the status of the matter and provide a way forward.
