SA Graan January 2019

Januarie 2019

human rights approach to land

reform, grounded in the effective

implementation of Section 25 of

the South African Constitution,

can still guarantee a life of dignity, equality

and freedom for all citizens. This is the view-

point of Prof Quinton Johnson, chairman of

the South African Institute for Land, Herit-

age and Human Rights.

During an address at the Agri SA Congress

in October 2018, during which Johnson pre-

sented a plan with regard to national land

reform, he stated that the South African In-

stitute for Land, Heritage and Human Rights

is not stuck in the past.

‘We are future-orientated and believe that

the constitution must be protected and

honoured. However, people in South Af-

rica experienced history in different ways,

and it is important that we find common

ground regarding this matter. Since 1855

there have been 32 colonial and apartheid

resolutions, bills and acts that dispossessed

the black majority of land. Mistakes should

not be repeated.

‘The redistribution of land concerns the

restoration of our dignity, the restoration of

our heritage and the restitution of our col-

lective rights. It is, however, of utmost im-

portance that when expropriation without

compensation takes place, food produc-

tion and food security, as well as the eco-

nomy on the whole, be promoted,’ says

Johnson.

‘The national land plan must be led by the

Presidency, through a super-ministry sup-

ported by a dedicated cabinet committee

that strategically oversee, effectively com-

municate, co-ordinate and deliver on the

policy mandate of restitution, redistribution

and security of tenure. There must be an

appropriate budget and departments with

related mandates and competencies.

‘Existing land reform legislation must ef-

fectively be implemented which includes

the Land Claims Court. A land ombudsman

should be appointed, a credible land regis-

try must be created and the issuing of title-

deeds for urban and rural land reform must

be prioritised.

‘As there is a need for national legislation

on expropriation, the possibility of repeal-

ing existing legislation, inconsistent with

or hampering land reform, must also be

pursued and the courts must pronounce on

the meaning of just and equitable within the

context of land reform,’ says Johnson.

According to him, the plan suggests the

consideration of appropriate amendments

to the 1975 Expropriation Act. This includes

the introduction of a limitation clause in

such an Expropriation Bill so that in cases

Initial trials show 4,5% yield

he Agricultural Research Council (ARC) is currently conduct-

ing trials in their initiative to improve maize seed production

systems to ensure that smallholder farmers in Africa have

access to high-quality hybrid seeds.

Speaking to

SA Graan/Grain

, Dr Kingston Mashingaidze, senior re-

search manager at the ARC-Grain Crops, who is actively involved

in the Seed Production Technology for Africa (SPTA) initiative, said

trials have already been conducted over two seasons.

‘So far, the average yield is 4,5% higher when hybrids are used

that are 100% pollen producing, compared to those that are 50%

pollen producing.’

Trials are being conducted in South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe.

Besides making these high-quality seeds available to farmers,

the second aim is to deliver new hybrids with a high yield poten-

tial adapted for low fertility areas, common in sub-Saharan Africa.

Mashingaidze stresses that these seeds are not genetically modi-

fied (GM).

At a cost of $6,4 million over a four-year period, this project is

funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

SPTA will utilise technology provided by Corteva Agriscience and

implemented by the ARC, together with the International Maize and

Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) and the Kenya Agricultural

and Livestock Research Organisation.

‘As Africa faces substantial challenges of low maize yields, climatic

extremes, costly farm inputs, threats due to pests and diseases, as

well as a growing demand for food, it is vital to provide smallholder

farmers with access to high quality, modern maize hybrids to allow

them to increase yields and incomes,’ says Mashingaidze.

Currently only 57% of the sub-Saharan Africa maize growing area

is planted with recently purchased seed. A great deal of hybrids

RELEVANT

KARINA MULLER,

SA Graan/Grain

contributor

MARIËTTA CRONJÉ,

SA Graan/Grain

contributor

Prof Quinton Johnson elaborated at the

recent Agri SA Congress on a plan for

land reform.