Land acquisition strategy and emerging black farmer support: a case study of Mpofana Local Municipality

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the effect of the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS) on the development of emerging black farmers in Mpofana Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This was appraised by examining the processes involved in leasing farms, the support offered to beneficiaries, the current condition of the farms, and the skills levels of the beneficiaries.

The study begins by examining the background of land reform in ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ nations, and the rationale for its implementation. This broader context provided the basis for examining the more local research problem. Although Mpofana has had the greatest number of land reform farm transfers in the district, agricultural activities have been declining for the past ten years. This justified an investigation of the involvement of land reform in this decline.

A qualitative case study was applied using purposive sampling to pinpoint potential participants. The final sample size consisted of fifteen potential participants. Twelve PLAS land reform beneficiary farmers in Mpofana and three government officials. Nine participants were interviewed: six land reform beneficiaries, and three government officials. Content analysis was used to analyse the data generated from in-person interviews, document analysis and observations.

The study found that the processes involved in land reform applications and recapitalisation need to be reviewed. The current administrative landscape is not clear and is producing outcomes that are destructive for land reform, employment and food security. The government has also failed to provide the financial and technical support required by the beneficiaries. Many land reform farms in Mpofana have collapsed due to this lack of support. Those still functional are leased out to the commercial farmers from whom the land was originally bought. Support is needed to bridge the critical skills gap identified in the emergent farmers. None of the participants had formal agricultural training, and all needed education on accessing markets and financial management.

The breakdown of the land reform farms in Mpofana is an indictment of certain administrative processes, the lack of support provided to beneficiaries, and certain corrupt activities. Nonetheless, there is hope that with the correct political will these problems can be addressed, and black emergent farmers can be productively brought into the agricultural economy of Mpofana, through supporting sustainable, functional farms that increase agricultural production, strengthen food security, and create much-needed employment.