The question of land in South African policy and legislation often focuses on rural or agricultural land. In Parliament, the discussion is usually about land transfers to emerging farmers and support for them, and about making land available for communities in country areas.

Almost as if to legitimate this framing of the land discourse as a matter of rural and agricultural relevance, the government department dealing with land matters is referred to as the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (previously the Department of Land Affairs).

The questions of urban land, its use, and its ownership, are either ignored or constructed in terms of the provision of housing or urban economic development. So, what is the true state of urban land ownership in South Africa?

Briefing Paper submitted by the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office