S. African President Announces End to Foreign Ownership of Land

Cape Town (PNA/Xinhua) — South African president Jacob Zuma on Thursday announced an end to foreign ownership of land in the country.

Foreign nationals will not be allowed to own land in South Africa but will be eligible for a long-term lease, Zuma said in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament.

In this regard, the Regulation of Land Holdings Bill will be submitted to Parliament this year, Zuma said.

The announcement surprised many foreign investors, although the ruling African National Congress (ANC) had suggested an end to foreign ownership of land before Zuma’s address.

On land reform, he said the government reopened the second window of opportunity for the lodgement of land claims last year.

Now more than 36,00 land claims have been launched nationally and the cut off date is 2019.

In terms of the new proposed laws, a ceiling will be set on 12, 000 hectares for locals to own farm land, Zuma said.

Zuma said 50 farming enterprises will be identified as pilot projects.

Through the Land Reform Programme, more than 90,000 hectares of land have been allocated to small holder farmers, farm dwellers and labour tenants, Zuma said. (PNA/Xinhua) CTB/EBP

Image Credit: buzzsouthafrica.com