Utrecht farm dwellers return to rightful home
By Siboniso Ntuli
Utrecht – Farm dwellers, who were forcefully removed off their land in the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal, have finally been able to return to the land that rightfully belongs to them.
Thousands of farm dwellers received their title deeds on Saturday for the farms where their forefathers had settled in the district of Amajuba.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs Lulu Xingwana, Acting Chief Land Commissioner Blessing Mphela described the event as historical.
“Over the years the Utrecht farm dwellers have been victimised by farm owners. But today they will own the land that belongs to them.”
Title deeds were handed over to the farm dwellers from Waaihoek, Rooipoint, Fairghlei, Lennixon and Milton.
Mr Mphela said the department had bought the farm from the owners for R85 million.
“A total of 261 households involving 1 566 individuals will benefit from the settlement of the Waaihoek community claim for the title to land in extent of 16 105.0000 ha.
“At least 20 percent of the families benefiting from this claim are female-headed,” said Mr Mphela.
One of the beneficiaries, Monde Dakushe who represented the Waaihoek Trust, said they could finally enjoy the fruits of a democratic government.
Mr Dakushe said in 1998 they started a process of getting their land back as the rightful owners.
“It was not easy because some of our people died along the way. Even today, our forefathers are happy as they can see that we managed to get our land back after all these years.
“The government has played a major role in helping us get our farms back. What we need now is the assistance to make these farms profitable and fight the unemployment in our communities,” said Mr Dakushe.
Despite the delivery of land to the farm dwellers, the Department of Land Affairs stated that there are challenges that they are facing in land reform.
These include competing claims such as labour tenant versus restitution claims; post settlement support; providing basic services; the spatial location of farm dwellers versus proposed settlement options and the refusal of farm dwellers to relocate to proposed settlements.
According to the department the settlement of the Lennoxton, Fairleigh and Milton community claim is for the restoration of land rights.
The removal of people was based on the fact that the land was demarcated for occupation by other racial groups namely Coloured and Indian people.
They were therefore forced to move to the Osizweni and Madadeni townships which were reserved for black people.
“A total of 338 households involving 2 070 individuals will benefit from the settlement of the Lennoxton, Fairleigh and Milton community claim for the title to land in extent of 2671.9531 ha,” said Mr Mphela.
A total of 130 households involving 822 individuals will benefit from the settlement of the Rooipoint community claim for the title to land in extent of 2374.8572 ha.
Many of the households in all three communities were also women-headed.
He said it was important to ensure women were involved in all the economic activities coming from the claim.
The department said the community was receiving the necessary management and agricultural skills development from the Amajuba Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs which will equip them to participate in developing and managing the farm. – BuaNews
Utrecht – Farm dwellers, who were forcefully removed off their land in the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal, have finally been able to return to the land that rightfully belongs to them.
Thousands of farm dwellers received their title deeds on Saturday for the farms where their forefathers had settled in the district of Amajuba.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs Lulu Xingwana, Acting Chief Land Commissioner Blessing Mphela described the event as historical.
“Over the years the Utrecht farm dwellers have been victimised by farm owners. But today they will own the land that belongs to them.”
Title deeds were handed over to the farm dwellers from Waaihoek, Rooipoint, Fairghlei, Lennixon and Milton.
Mr Mphela said the department had bought the farm from the owners for R85 million.
“A total of 261 households involving 1 566 individuals will benefit from the settlement of the Waaihoek community claim for the title to land in extent of 16 105.0000 ha.
“At least 20 percent of the families benefiting from this claim are female-headed,” said Mr Mphela.
One of the beneficiaries, Monde Dakushe who represented the Waaihoek Trust, said they could finally enjoy the fruits of a democratic government.
Mr Dakushe said in 1998 they started a process of getting their land back as the rightful owners.
“It was not easy because some of our people died along the way. Even today, our forefathers are happy as they can see that we managed to get our land back after all these years.
“The government has played a major role in helping us get our farms back. What we need now is the assistance to make these farms profitable and fight the unemployment in our communities,” said Mr Dakushe.
Despite the delivery of land to the farm dwellers, the Department of Land Affairs stated that there are challenges that they are facing in land reform.
These include competing claims such as labour tenant versus restitution claims; post settlement support; providing basic services; the spatial location of farm dwellers versus proposed settlement options and the refusal of farm dwellers to relocate to proposed settlements.
According to the department the settlement of the Lennoxton, Fairleigh and Milton community claim is for the restoration of land rights.
The removal of people was based on the fact that the land was demarcated for occupation by other racial groups namely Coloured and Indian people.
They were therefore forced to move to the Osizweni and Madadeni townships which were reserved for black people.
“A total of 338 households involving 2 070 individuals will benefit from the settlement of the Lennoxton, Fairleigh and Milton community claim for the title to land in extent of 2671.9531 ha,” said Mr Mphela.
A total of 130 households involving 822 individuals will benefit from the settlement of the Rooipoint community claim for the title to land in extent of 2374.8572 ha.
Many of the households in all three communities were also women-headed.
He said it was important to ensure women were involved in all the economic activities coming from the claim.
The department said the community was receiving the necessary management and agricultural skills development from the Amajuba Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs which will equip them to participate in developing and managing the farm. – BuaNews
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praise the LordPosted 4th July 2008 at 02:48 PM by Ar.
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