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President Zuma yesterday re-iterated his government’s commitment to tackling unemployment and stimulating job creation.

However, confusion about government’s approach to land reform continues to undermine job creation in rural areas. The President’s comments in his State of the Nation Address created further uncertainty.

The President must clarify what he meant yesterday when he stated that the willing buyer, willing seller model “has not been the best way to address the question” of land reform.

The issue of the willing buyer, willing seller model is not addressed in government’s land reform green paper.

The continued confusion about whether or not government supports this principle fuels the uncertainty around the land reform process. When government questions property rights, it acts as a disincentive for current and prospective land owners to invest in land, as their security of tenure is uncertain.

This has a serious impact on the rural economy.

Those looking for work in rural areas, and emerging farmers, stand to lose the most from government’s refusal to make its position clear.

If the President is serious about tackling rural unemployment, he needs to publicly clarify his government’s position on land reform once and for all.