Issued by: The Ministry of Land Affairs
The process of intensive consultation on a comprehensive policy on land and related issues will culminate in a National Land Policy Conference to be held on 31 August and 1 September 1995 at the World Trade Centre in Kempton Park.
This follows on a meeting held on 10 April 1995 with individuals and institutions involved in the policy and practice of land reform, where a proposal was made to present Parliament with a White Paper on Land Reform. Subsequently, on 12 May 1995 I released a draft framework document to interested parties and the general public to solicit their inputs on this important matter. The deadline for submissions was 15 June 1995, but due to the immense response received this was extended to 30 June 1995.
Ten technical teams worked against the clock to integrate all these submissions. The result of their efforts is a comprehensive Conference Document which covers a range of topics such as land restitution and redistribution, tenure reform, land administration, land valuation, public land management, land development, human resource development, mediation and land management. The Conference Document will serve as the basis for discussion at the National Land Policy Conference.
Requests to attend the conference are still flooding in. Some 1500 applications had been received, which created a problem as the venue only seats 800 delegates. A selection process was initiated to ensure that the broadest possible spectrum of interests are represented at the conference. Categories of delegates attending the conference would include communities living in urban and rural areas, labour tenants, farmworkers, communities with restitution claims, land owners, trade unions, politicians, representatives from all tiers of Governmental organisations, community based organisations and international agencies.
We regret that time constraints and seating availability makes it impossible for us to accommodate everyone wishing to attend the conference. However, those unable to attend are most welcome to comment on the Conference Document which is available in five languages. Comment should reach the Conference Secretariat by no later than 28 August 1995 at Private Bag X844, Pretoria, 0001 or at fax number (012) 211-244.
Facilities would be provided for the media and a media conference will be held at the conclusion of proceedings on 1 September 1995. Further details would be provided at the earliest opportunity. Attached please find the provisional programme for the National Land Policy Conference.
Copies of the Conference Document can be obtained in Cape Town from Lynne at (021) 45-7690 or from Gerda in Pretoria at (012) 323-5212. Copies of the document could either be collected at these offices, or will be mailed on the same day the request is received.
ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF LAND AFFAIRS, 17 AUGUST 1995
Programme Available. Please contact Hellmuth Schlenther at (012) 323 5212 or (021) 457 690.