Activist and former Constitutional Court Judge Albie Sachs says business has a fundamental role to play as South Africa aims to undertake land expropriation.

He was addressing around 400 delegates at this year’s twelfth annual Trialogue Business in Society conference held in Johannesburg. Sachs’ keynote address centred around the Constitution and current political scene.

The two day conference aims to encourage thought leadership, collaboration and innovation for more effective and sustainable developmental interventions.

Sachs said business must embrace the land issue and come up with ideas to further the cause.

“The land issue is a very important process to all South Africans. We need interventions from all stakeholders and even traditional leaders can play a huge role in helping their communities [and] not for the purposes of making money,” he said.   

Sachs suggested that mechanisms must be put in place in Parliament to allow for the progressive inclusion of previously displaced people. 

“We need general programmes of land reform. To me, the land issue is a profound thing. We have been fighting for that. We want immediate restoration for those who were forcefully removed,” he stated.

He does not see expropriation of land being a threat to the environment as he believes that the South African community “is very close to the environment”.

CORRUPTION

Touching on corruption, Sachs said it was important for South Africans to acknowledge that the rule of law must prevail in corruption cases.

“We must leave the institutions to take care of their duties. If it takes longer it is okay. People must not be removed in their positions without enough evidence. When our [former] President overspent on his house, the Economic Freedom Fighters approached the Constitution. We have the right to make government accountable,” Sachs pointed out.

He mentioned that it was refreshing to note a new openness in South Africa.

“We want to see further steps being taken against those implicated in corruption. I only lost an arm. If I can be optimistic . . . what is happening now is small stuff,” he concluded.