We recognise and acknowledge the fact that the matter that has been raised of “land expropriation without compensation” has generated a lot of debate throughout our country. We fully support the determination firmly and effectively to act on the Land Question, among others to redress the injustices of the past, as called for by our National Constitution. In this context, speaking as members of the ANC, we fully agree with the decision taken at the 54th National Conference of the ANC that such ‘land expropriation without compensation’ should become one of the policy options available to the Democratic Government to address the Land Question.

However, in addition, it is vitally important that the ANC should locate such action within the context of its larger ideological and political perspective, and openly account to the people for all steps it will take in this regard, bearing in mind this perspective.

This pamphlet is intended specifically to explain this ideological and political perspective.

In this context we will firmly underline the view, which derives from this ANC perspective, that this matter of ‘land expropriation without compensation’ is entirely a tactical and operational matter and should not be raised to the level of principle and strategic importance, as has happened!

In this regard we state this openly that the perspective and values we express are of immediate relevance to members and supporters of the ANC, with no assumption or argument that other South Africans are not free to adopt their own different or contrary views.

Issued by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation