This came after the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza, announced that more than 12 000 hectares of state land are up for grabs by previously disadvantaged people in the province. OFM News’ Elsabé Richard spoke to the Northern Cape MEC of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Land Reform and Rural Development, Mase Manopole, about who qualifies and how one can apply for the available state land. 

Here is Manopole…

See PODCAST below

Manopole says that the land is situated in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District, which includes Kuruman, but any qualifying resident in the province may apply. She explains that preference will be given to women, youth and people with disabilities to obtain land for agricultural purposes.

Applicants who wish to apply should bear in mind that this land reform programme includes a 30-year leasehold with an option to buy.

This leasehold is subject to the following conditions: 

“The lease agreement, signed between the state and the beneficiary, will be a legally binding contractual agreement.

The lease agreement will not be transferrable under any circumstances.

The beneficiary will not be allowed to sub-lease or sublet a portion of land or the whole of the farm under the leasehold between him/her and the state.

The beneficiary will have to manage, maintain and keep the record of assets received from the state.

Beneficiaries will pay a monthly or annual rental fee per hectare determined by the state, consistent with the value of the land in line with area valuation.

Any investment made by the beneficiary must be recorded, valued and reported to the state.

A credit management system will be put in place to manage debt recovery and management.

The beneficiary has an obligation to manage, maintain and keep the record of assets received from the state - after failing to comply with any of the contractual obligations listed above, the state will consider the option of terminating the lease.”

All beneficiaries who have been allocated state land and signed the lease agreements will be subjected to a compulsory training programme which will, amongst others, focus on the commodity residents are interested in.

Interested residents can obtain application forms on the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development website: www.dalrrd.gov.za, or at the department's district offices before 16 November 2020.

OFM News