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land reformlatest news & developments

Land reform and rural development: A budget for South Africa’s bold agenda for land reform and rural renewal

The Department of Land Reform and Rural Development tabled an ambitious Budget Vote for 2026/27, supported by legislation, investment and a clear vision for equitable land access…

Unresolved: Spokes Sithole, who was born in the same year as Nelson Mandela, 1918, is one of the original
claimants in the R1 billion Mala Mala land claim. He died at 108. Photos. Lucas Ledwaba

Fruit of freedom withers under broken land deal

The death of Spokes Sithole at 108 exposes the broken promise of one of South Africa’s largest land restitution settlements, where freedom and land ownership have not translated…

Namibia’s Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Minister Inge Zaamwani

Namibia tables sweeping land bill to expand farm expropriation powers

The proposed legislature represents the most far-reaching change in Namibia’s land governance framework since independence

Rural people are dispossessed and displaced by companies that collect awards for ESG credentials, corporate social investment and sector excellence.
(Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Award-winning exploitation: South Africa’s sustainability façade unmasked

Rural people are dispossessed and displaced by companies that collect awards for ESG credentials, corporate social investment and sector excellence

The Moravian Church
has congregations around the world, with more than a million members. South Africa, with 103  000 members, has one of the largest congregations. (Photos: Jonathan Hendricks)

Moravian Church legal battle at heart of indigenous land rights

Descendants of the indigenous people who lived on the land, predominantly Khoi and slaves, want to be able to control and govern the land their forefathers worked

For the many who rightly feel abandoned by the government, and are sick of the state’s failures, the private sector stepping in to solve problems with energy, water and logistics might appear rational and necessary. (John McCann/MG)

The privatisation agenda will not save South Africa

The state has tried the neoliberalism model in various forms for 31 years, and it has not worked

EFF leader Julius Malema. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

EFF to use ‘kill the boer’ as part of 2026 election strategy

The Economic Freedom Fighters insist on the use of the struggle song as a rallying cry ahead of the polls

The struggle to reclaim or protect land is fundamentally a struggle to restore human dignity. Photo: Lucky Nxumalo/City Press/Gallo Images/Getty Images

Land and dignity: A global reflection anchored in Palestine

Land is more than a physical resource — it is the foundation of identity, freedom and dignity in places as far-flung as North America, Australia and New Zealand to Gaza, India…

(constitutionhill.org.za)

Mafora’s ‘legal fictions’ nullify constitutional supremacy

In systems of constitutional supremacy, constitutions may introduce legal fictions, but legal fictions may not be introduced into constitutions, like the Expropriation Act does

Challenged: IFP leader Velenkosini Hlabisa

IFP will take to the streets to defend Ithala, says Hlabisa

The SOC will be at the high court on Thursday to oppose an application for its liquidation

EFF leader Julius Malema. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

The EFF will fight to regain its political standing this year

The Economic Freedom Fighters will rebuild its structures and its morale ahead of the 2026 local government elections

Gustavo Petro speaks at an event after the 2022 Congressional elections in Colombia, on March 13, 2022. (Photo by: Sebastian Barros/Long Visual Press/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Colombian left ascends to power by uniting progressive forces

The fourth instalment on lessons for the left shows how the Colombian left built a successful electoral project in face of brutal opposition from entrenched elites backed by US…

Hlophe said the Constitution obstructed efforts to reclaim land and mineral resources. (Photo by Brenton Geach/Gallo Images via Getty Images).

Hlophe says GNU has failed citizens and puts elites first

The government of national unity has betrayed the trust of South African citizens, according to the uMkhonto weSizwe deputy president

In its new report, Freedom Under Law says the caseload of the apex court has tripled, leading to delayed judgments that negatively affect public confidence in the judiciary
 (Renata Larroyd)

Judicial Service Commission hears plea for judicial rethink on land reform

Judge Susannah Cowen said South Africa was waiting for land justice and the constitutional court should lead the way

In post-apartheid South Africa, the system has evolved but has fundamentally stayed the same, triggering an inter-generational cycle of displacement. (Fredrik Lerneryd)

The scars of migrant labour endure on black families

In post-apartheid South Africa, the system has evolved but has fundamentally stayed the same, triggering an inter-generational cycle of displacement

Thousands of fish have been found dead in “alarming conditions” at a government-backed fish farm specialising in Mozambican tilapia. (Supplied)

NSPCA uncovers thousands of dead fish at government-backed fish farm in Mpumalanga

Conditions were ‘atrocious’ and ‘appalling’

Mngwengwe headed the turnaround team deployed to regularise the finances and administration of the ITB before becoming the full-time chief executive of the entity.

Ingonyama Trust Board extends CEO Vela Mngwengwe’s contract despite MisuZulu’s objections

Mngwengwe will remain in the post for another two years

(John McCann/M&G)

Does land reform still matter in South Africa?

It is this generation’s obligation to find a new path that will ensure the injustices of the past are undone This content is restricted to registered users and subscribers. Get…

Bulelwa Mabasa tells the story of how her love for land reform and justice is tied to her family and upbringing.

‘My Land Obsession’ is a call for social justice

Bulelwa Mabasa tells the story of how her love for land reform and justice is tied to her family and upbringing

Renowned French economist Thomas Piketty noted that the country has made little progress towards closing the inequality gap, despite efforts to redistribute income. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Thomas Piketty: Direct wealth distribution needed to fix SA’s extreme inequality

The renowned French economist noted that the country has made little progress towards closing the inequality gap, despite efforts to redistribute income