Government Green paper moves SA closer to Government controlled Communism

Though foreigners get the nod on land ownership and government appears to have abandoned the notion that foreigners should not own any land in SA. it seems they are proposing that foreigners enjoy freehold title but with possible onerous conditions applied on for example coastal land and not being able to export all of what they produce on agricultural land and that land can only be owned in conjunction with local partners.

This, together with restricting freehold title for SA citizens, clearly indicate that the government is opposed to the idea of private land ownership in South Africa.

This will have a devastating impact on private initiative and wealth creation, not to mention the impact on the real estate industry in rural areas.

The green paper on land reform was approved by the Cabinet on Wednesday.

Again also, it seems as if there will be a bundle of regulations that the minister will be able to make without the kind of scrutiny that an act of parliament would go through. So again we are at the mercy of the administrators rather that the legislator.

If two imperatives for land reform were that the government has to "improve on past perspectives, without disrupting agricultural production and food security; and to avoid or minimise redistribution and restitution which do not generate sustainable livelihoods, employment and incomes", then the onerous processes involved in subdivision of land and all the regulations involved in transferring land ownership should be looked at. This is the writers view – rather than the top down approach proposed by the green paper.

It seems that the green paper will be made public next week. All are urged to help tranform the landscape of property ownership in SA, but not by giving a larger role for the Government but by strengthening individual property rights. One example are the RDP houses - the new owners to not get full title - they are for example not allowed to sell them. SA Blacks are being treated like second class citizens by their own government. This also shows the the government want more power and do not believe in individual land ownership with full rights. Is this what anti-apartheid activist really wanted - a disowned populace under an all powerful government?

(most of the factual information in this article was sourced from: http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Content.aspx?id=151760 hartleyw@bdfm.co.za )