The economy of post-apartheid South Africa continues to grow. Yet between 45 and 55 percent of the population remain in poverty. This inequality is most obvious in rural areas, where over 70 percent of poor people live. Policymakers are increasingly recognising the importance of rural land reform to poverty reduction.

There is considerable evidence that poverty in South Africa is increasing. Unemployment has risen rapidly, with significant job losses in the mining and commercial farming sectors. Much debate focuses on the idea that South Africa has two disconnected economies – one urban and industrial, the other a ‘third world rural’ economy. Research from the University of Western Cape, South Africa, focuses on the rural dimensions of the ‘two economies’ debate, focusing on the contribution land and agrarian reform can make in reducing inequality and rural poverty.

The South African government is making land reform central to its poverty reduction strategy. Programmes aim at supporting poor rural people by redistributing land and securing land rights for people with little or no possession. However, the research emphasises the important difference between land reform and agrarian reform. Agrarian reform includes land reform, but also considers agricultural production and distribution, and how these connect to economic and political power. Lobbying by large farmers and landholders and a limited understanding of agricultural development means agrarian reform is not yet on the policy agenda. The research argues:

• South Africa’s current land reform programme does not focus on poverty reduction and current policies are unlikely to achieve targets.
• Many stakeholders (including government officials and policymakers) are sceptical about the contribution of rural agriculture to economic development, particularly small-scale production.
• Without policy changes, rural areas will remain a place populated by poor migrant workers.

Land reform and agrarian reform are inseparable and policymakers must accept this. Problems with land reform can only be resolved through an agrarian reform that provides access to tools and equipment, draught power, marketing outlets, infrastructure for irrigation, transport and communications, and support services such as extension and training. This wider approach must consider the political relations between rural communities, government, civil society and businesses. However, this poses even greater challenges for policymakers. For agrarian reform to succeed, the research suggests that policymakers must:

• lose their doubts about small-scale agricultural production
• refocus policies on the diverse livelihoods of poor rural people
• engage poor rural people in policy decisions, planning and implementation
• secure fair access to land and natural resources across the whole country, addressing gender equality and restoring land taken by force
• provide area-based land reform that identifies districts or zones on the basis of local needs and opportunities
• work with social movements that engage in political mobilisation in rural areas.

Source(s):
‘Agrarian reform and the ‘two economies’: transforming South Africa’s countryside’, Programme for Land and Agrarian Studies at the School of Government, University of the Western Cape, draft chapter for a forthcoming book on ‘The Land Question in South Africa: the challenge of transformation and redistribution’, edited by Ruth Hall and Lungisle Ntsebeza, 2005 Full document.

Funded by: Ford Foundation

id21 Research Highlight: 26 September 2005

Further Information:
Ben Cousins
Programme for Land and Agrarian Studies
School of Government, University of the Western Cape
Private Bag X17
Bellville 7535
Cape Town
South Africa

Tel: +27 (0) 21 959 3733
Fax: +27 (0) 21 959 3732
Contact the contributor: bcousins@uwc.ac.za

University of the Western Cape, South Africa

Other related links:
'Understanding the impact of changing land ownership in Kenya'

'The unintended consequences of policy reform'

'The crisis of land distribution in Southern Africa'

IRIN Web Special on land reform in Southern Africa