PERCEPTIONS, RESPONSES AND

VIEWS ON DROUGTH IMPACT AMONGST LAND REFORM

BENEFICIRIES IN EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE

SOUTH AFRICA

Dealing with Disasters Conference

17 – 18 September 2015Northumbria University

Newcastle-upon Tyne UK

Siviwe Shwababa&

Dr Andries Jordaanshwababasz@gmail.com

PAPER OUTLINE

Introduction

Historical Context

Constitutional Directives

Implementation

Methodology

Results & Recommendations

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) has a constitutional mandate of implementing legislative measures which enable citizens to gain access to land on equitable basis.

Against a back drop where the majority of citizens do not have an equitable access to land, this constitutional promise remains vital.

ECONOMIC CONTEXT OF THE POPULATION

• Poverty very rife in previous homeland areas

• Government targets the rural poor communities for land reform initiatives

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

• Pervasive process of land alienation.• The process dispossessed the majority of black South Africans. • 1913 Native Lands Act was established which reinforced the massive

dispossession of land from blacks South Africans

CONSTITUTIONAL DIRECTIVES• The 1996 Constitution of post apartheid South

Africa enshrines the following: o The need for equitable redistribution of land

amongst South Africans.

o Placement of the responsibility upon government to prioritise the equitable access to land by all citizens.

• Redistribution of land should be done within the prescripts of the Bill of Rights.

GOAL OF LAND REFORM PROGRAMME

Ensure that previously disadvantaged people acquire equitable access to land and increase their participation in agricultural activities

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LAND REFORM PROGRAMME

• Land restitution

• Land redistribution

• Land tenure reform

LAND REDISTRIBUTION

Policy Context• In order to ensure sustained

productivity within the land reform farming sector, the land reform beneficiaries derive support from the Recapitalization and Development Programme (RADP)

Aims• That all land reform farms

are 100% productive:• Increase production on

targeted farms• Broaden the skills base in

the farming sector.• Increase market access

and linkages.

AIMS...(CONT.)

• That the class of black fledgling commercial farmers which was destroyed by the 1913 Natives Land Act is rekindled:

• Develop emerging black farmers into commercial farmers;

• Ensure the integration of black farmers into the agricultural value chain

• Increase investment in the agricultural sector

PROBLEM STATEMENT

The land reform farmers in South Africa have a vital role to play in the in the country’s agricultural industry, GDP and on food security. Their vulnerability, coping and adaptation capacities towards drought is receiving less attention.

Current Status

LAND PARCELS ACQUIRED FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

DRDLR END OF TERM REPORT 2009-2014

PSSC Farms Acquired hectares

Number of beneficiaries

EC 196 181 613 1 433

FS 151 113 317 508

GP 93 15 881 268

KZN 236 130 415 7 132

LP 139 56 086 2 857

MP 178 142 321 1 263

NC 79 446 557 230

NW 157 122 801 3 326

WC 48 34 126 1 341

TOTALS 1 277 1 243 117 18 358

DRLRD END OF TERM REPORT 2009-2014

PSSC Farms Hectares Farmers Trained Strategic Partners

EC 160 78,735 94 52

FS 177 132,030 67 70

GP 130 27,329 0 26

KZN 178 77,338 371 58

LP 177 71,538 197 44

MP 197 128,814 209 61

NC 75 313,688 89 40

NUMBER OF JOBS CREATED THROUGH RADP

Number of Jobs Nature Amount spent

5 392 jobs 2 731 permanent and 2 661 seasonal and casual jobs

R2,954,895,179 billion.

RECAPITALISATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF LAND REFORM FARMERS

• The above spending focuses on money spend through RADP for the comprehensive farm development support of land reform beneficiaries(DRDRL 2014/2015 APP)

DROUGHT IMPACT

• Total economic loss affecting a large number of people.

• Affected people are generally the most vulnerable in the society and are those that depend on farming for their survival.

DROUGHT & HUMAN HEALTH

Millennium Development Goals

(1) Eradication of extreme

poverty and hunger

(2) Reduction of infant mortality

(3) Improvement in maternal health

(4) Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other diseases with access to essential medicines.

(5) Reduction of the proportion of people without access to safe water and improved sanitation.

DROUGTH & HUMAN HEALTH

• Water Shortages • Pollution of water sources • Resulting into: cholera,

typhoid E.coli infection, Vibro illness

DROUGHT & HUMAN HEALTH

• Competition for water resources

• Civil strife • Mass migrations• Food shortage

DROUGHT & HUMAN HEALTH

• Invasion of alien vegetation.• Environmental degradation

RESEARCH STUDY

DROUGHT EVENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA

• Severity of drought in the country• Possible options available to land owners?

DROUGTH STATUS IN SOUTH AFRICA

ANDRIES VISSER DOUW WENTZEL

PHILLIP MANOTO

SUNDAY TIMES:1 MARCH 2015

STUDY AREA

STUDY AREA

AIM

To understand how drought has affected the land reform farmers and gain insight into their perceptions, responses and views on drought and its impact on their livelihood.

OBJECTIVES

1. Access land reform farmer’s and their family’s experience

on local drought, rainfall patterns and other stressors.

2. Assess their vulnerability: economic, environmental and

social vulnerabilities.

3. Determine how changes in rainfall patterns have impacted

on their farms and livelihood.

4. To assess their ability to adapt and cope with current and

future drought incidents

METHODOLOGY

• Participatory Learning Approach

FINDINGS

Stressor/Impact1. Reduced soil fertility2. Limited crop growth3. Water shortages4. Unemployment5. Illness(HIV)6. Poverty7. Heavy rainfall flood events 

FINDINGS:

Coping strategy1. Use of hardy crop type – such as Pineapples2. Crop substitution- peas and sweet potato3. Rain tanks; deeper ploughing4. Sale of livestock and crops5. Medicinal plants6. Subsistence gardens7. Replacing grass roofs with corrugated zinc;dig furrow around houses

LIMITING FACTORS FOR LAND REFORM FARMERS

• Their livelihoods are vulnerable to drought & its impact

• Poor coping mechanisms during dry spells

• No access to credit, insurance etc.• No access to feed

supplementation • No Financial backing for re-

stocking in cases where drought disasters have led to losses.

• No early warning systems • Policy gaps : • RADP policy not aligned to the

Policy Framework for Disaster Risk Management in South Africa (GN654 of 2005) e.g. Hyogo/Sendai Framework

RECOMMENDATIONS

– DRDLR should develop a drought impact mitigation model suitable for the land reform farmers .

– Such a model will assist in minimising the impacts drought, reduce the health related distresses associated with drought and improve resilience.

– The recapitalisation policy should incorporate drought mitigation measures.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

• Land reform farmers are currently lacking resilience towards drought and its associated human health distresses.

• Research projects of this nature can aid government in the important role of facilitating coping and adaptation strategies as policy responses to drought

PROPOSED CONFERENCE RESOLUTION

The South African Land reform programme to be encouraged in embracing resilience measures towards natural hazards such as drought.