Issued by: SA Communication Service
It is Government's stated commitment to ensure security of tenure for all South Africans under a variety of forms of tenure. Accordingly, on 21 September 1995 a core technical team was appointed to prepare a draft discussion document which was intended to serve as a frame of reference for an expanded working group.
This team has been addressing the technicalities of actual surveying and registration methods, as well as procedures and legislation. Concurrently, the Land Reforms Policy Branch of the Department of Land Affairs has been undertaking research focusing on DE FACTO claims on the ground and the tenure options that should be provided for in new legislation.
The Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs, Mr Derek Hanekom, has now decided that the core technical team be expanded to include representatives from property-owning industry, financial institutions and the land surveying and conveyancing professions.
The following institutions will be invited to nominate representatives to the Working Group on Registration and Surveying Options:
Black Lawyers Association NADEL Association of Law Societies South African Council for Professional and Technical Surveyors Federation of Institutes of Professional Land Surveyors of Southern Africa South African Property Owners Association Council of Southern African Bankers
The will be joining the original core Working Group consisting of the following members:
Dr HJ Smith (Chairperson) Dr C Fourie (University of Natal) Dr S Lawry (Ford Foundation) Mr A Westaway (National Land Committee) Mr M Barry (University of Cape Town) Mr D Reekie (Banking expert) Mr KJ Lester (Chief Surveyor-General) Mr GJ Slothouber (Chief Registrar of Deeds) Mr E Buiten (Chief Director: Redistribution and Tenure Reform)
The Working Group's mandate is to make proposals which will accommodate both formal and traditional tenure practices, without derogating from the security and efficiency which characterise the present survey and land registration system.
ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY FOR AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS. 19 AUGUST 1996