Minister Nkwinti hands over title deeds to communities

The Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, Gugile Nkwinti, has handed over title deeds to eight successful land claimant communities from the North West, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga.

The title deeds were handed over during the 7th People and Parks National Conference in Midrand on Tuesday.

The land claims, which were all situated within protected areas, consist of the following projects: the Bapolomiti, Jonathan and Klipvoor in the North West Province; Double Drift, Dwesa Cwebe in the Eastern Cape and Moutse and Mahlabane Trust in Mpumalanga.

Addressing the conference, Minister Nkwinti said claimant communities have a greater responsibility to ensure co-operation among members of the community structures now that they are land owners.

“When you receive title deeds, you own the land. You will enter into a strategic partnership with government. Let us use the land. We cannot have a nation that is poor but has land. We must use the land productively,” the Minister said.

He urged traditional leaders to assist the community to ensure the land is fully utilised and productive. He stressed the need for cooperation between communities, government and all stakeholders.

The Minister also spoke out against the infighting that plagues many communal property associations (CPAs) that are established after the claimed land is handed over to community groups.

He also reiterated that CPAs do not own the land but their role is to manage the land on behalf of the community. The Minister urged CPAs to be accountable to the community and to ensure the governance structures do not collapse.

Since 2014 to date, government has spent over R224 million in financial compensation for conservation land claims. Over R98 million was used for infrastructure and other developmental expenditure on restituted conservation land.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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