21 May 1994
The people of Riemvasmaak
Distinguished guests
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen
Comrades
Today the people of Riemvasmaak are celebrating, and I find it an honour, but also an immense pleasure, to be able to attend this joyous occasion as an elected servant of the people.
Last week, after nearly a century of struggle, we celebrated the return of our birthright - our pride and dignity as full and equal citizens of this beautiful country. Today, the whole of South Africa celebrates with you the return of your land.
Riemvasmaak is but one of countless communities forcibly removed under the dehumanising system of Apartheid. Twenty years ago your community was moved by force in one of the most dramatic black spot removal exercises. In the interest of "racial tidiness", you were dumped hundreds of miles away, across international borders.
However, your community spirit remained strong. Against all odds, families and friends displaced to the Eastern Cape and to Namibia still got together and made plans about returning to Riemvasmaak and securing a future for their children. Your tireless efforts were not in vain - it is a sterling example to all South Africans that a righteous cause will not be defeated by evil.
Riemvasmaak also has political lessons for the free democratic South Africa. When the state and the occupiers of the land refused to return the land to its rightful owners, the people of Riemvasmaak organised, campaigned, petitioned, protested and marched in order to persuade the authorities to address their plight. Eventually, the then Minister of Land Affairs referred the issue to the Commission on Land Allocation for a recommendation.
In the meantime, the National Parks Board started talking to the Riemvasmaak Committee. When the Commission on Land Allocation finally released its recommendations and proposed that the largest part of the land be returned to the Riemvasmakers, this provided the opportunity for staging comprehensive settlement discussions.
All relevant stakeholders, including the state at central, provincial and local level, the Parks Board, the SADF and commercial farming interests represented by neighbouring farmer associations, took part and continued to participate in the planning and implementation process. Working groups were established, with all the parties committed to a process that will not only advance the interests of the community of Riemvasmaak, but also will ensure that affirmative action will benefit neighbouring communities.
In this process it has already been recognised that restitution entails more than just the acquisition of lost land. Good planning, the resettlement of people, the provision of infrastructure and services, economic support programs, sustainable development and (very importantly) community institution building, are essential elements of a program of restitution.
For those suffering from past exclusion and the general absence of land rights, courts are not an effective way to secure future rights. To secure these rights, a political policy of land redistribution through accessible administrative institutions and financing mechanisms will be implemented within the larger context of the Reconstruction and Development Programme. This will be an inclusive process in which all interested parties, especially the local communities, will have their say.
The value of mediation and negotiation in restitution cases and the commitment to post-restitution support programmes - these are the lessons of Riemvasmaak. This Government has taken these lessons to heart, and as the Minister responsible I will ensure that they will prominently feature in new restitution and land claims legislation that will become law in the Parliamentary session in August this year.
Many other communities are anxiously waiting for the return of their land. Therefore, a Commission on Restitution of Land Rights will be legally constituted to ensure the speedy finalisation of claims to restitution of land rights. Furthermore, a specialised court of law, the Land Claims Court, will be established by an Act of Parliament to resolve disputes over land rights. Cases currently before the existing Commission on Land Allocation will automatically be transfeoheoioand court once they come into operation.
It needs to stressed that the Land Rights Restitution Act and the commission/court process is intended to deal only with claims arising out of past dispossession of land. Its main focus will be forced removals.
In this regard, the Commission will be mandated to do everything possible to assist claimants in cases where they are not themselves able to provide all the information necessary for the adequate submission of and decision on a claim. Provision will also be made in legislation to prevent current owners taking pre-emptive action in cases where land is under dispute.
It is this Government's policy that the land restitution process must be quick, effective and accessible. Because the issue of land claims is as much about the future legitimacy of title and the future survival of communities as it is about history and social justice, it can not be allowed to hang over property rights and the land market indefinitely.
To paraphrase our President, Mr Nelson Mandela: "Now is the time to roll up our sleeves and get our country working gain." The success of the new South Africa and the future of our children is in our hands.
The community of Riemvasmaak has already demonstrated what could be achieved by a collective effort and hard work. Although Government is committed to correct the historical imbalances of the past and to provide jobs, education and health, the real key to the future well-being of all South Africans is initiative and hard work on the part of each and every one of us.
I am convinced that the Riemvasmakers will again lead by example in the development of their land for the growth and well-being of the whole community. Some 300 hectares of the 70 000 hectares can be irrigated and has great potential to be farmed profitably. Experts say that this is one of the areas in the country where the productive value of the land exceeds market value.
Perhaps even more important is the scenic features of the land. In the longer term the eco-tourism potential of the land will continue to benefit the future generations of Riemvasmakers. The North Cape Province has much to offer for the tourist (including 4 National Parks) and Riemvasmaak can play an important part in a regional economic offensive on the tourist industry.
Effective community involvement, coupled with an inclusive and coherent development policy, could catapult the Riemvasmakers to the forefront of development in the Northern Cape. A lot of expertise is available for the people of Riemvasmaak - in this regard some non-governmental organisations have done sterling work and continue to do so; ie the Legal Resources Centre, the Surplus People's Project, and the Land Development Unit.
In conclusion, I wish to thank you for the honour you have bestowed upon me to share this joyous occasion with you. I wish you peace, happiness and prosperity for the future.
Nkosi Sikilel' iAfrika
ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF LAND AFFAIRS
20 MAY 1994
Media Liaison: Hellmuth Schlenther
(012) 323-7287 (Tel)
(012) 21-1244 (Fax)