Land Expropriation without compensation, this is the news that seems to have finally garnered the world's attention, at least a little bit. This week saw our parliament voting overwhelmingly for this bill introduced by the EFF, that will give way to the confiscation of land simply based on the colour of your skin.
This is a major Human Rights abuse that needs much more global attention...
What does Land Expropriation mean?
This Bill is claimed by the EFF to be an answer to "right historical grievances" committed by colonial powers centuries ago. This will be done by the forceful confiscation of land from specifically white South-Africans, without any kind of compensation.
As it stands, 73% of farms in South-Africa are owned by white farmers. Agriculture also accounts for nearly 70% of our domestic income. These farmers are also responsible for the supply of the local population for food.
By taking this land, the outcome promises to be quite dismal as the process will usually take years in legal battles to finalise, in which case the farm will most likely see a drop in production. Best case scenario, the farm is immediately managed by someone competent and might start producing again. But history has shown us how corruption and cronyism will hold this process up even more.
What is more, past experience has also shown us the results of farms being expropriated. Rooibos, a tea that is very famous in South-Africa and sought after globally, has seen a massive 73% drop in production after the previous round of land claims.
The Legal Challenge.
As it is right now, our Constitution does make allowances for the legal expropriation of land but with appropriate compensation. The willing buyer, willing seller concept. As far as the legality is concerned, this is not a terrible system as it does allow the government to take land to be given over, as long as there is compensation. Ironically, the only province that has seen this used effectively is the Western Cape, run by the DA.
So far, the government has only handed over a quarter of the land it has claimed, raising the question of who is utilising it?
Doomed to fail!
This is not the first time in history that we see such radically idiotic attempts by the government to forcefully implement ideology on a population. Communist Russia and the USSR implemented similar land confiscation measures that subsequently led to the deaths by starvation of 30 Million people. Similar policies were pursued in Maoist China that led to the subsequent deaths of about 80 Million people! Venezuela is only the latest fallen country to have pursued these policies!
History does not seem to mean anything to our government as they are now hell-bent on pursuing these policies but the people that are at risk of having there land taken sure do! If these policies do come to fruition, a promise has already arisen amongst the farmers of South-Africa. They will resist! They will not just hand it over! This is a recipe for civil war and potentially genocide.
-Photo by artist Ralph Ziman, Please see more here http://arttimes.co.za/south-african-artist-shines-light-dangers-arms-dealing-stunning-photos/
Sins of the father...
In conclusion, I would like to give my personal opinion and response to this. I still love my country and do not wish for it to deteriorate and extinguish itself in a civil war, theft and murder. I still maintain hope for our country and hope against odds that this will resolve peacefully. That said, the bill is very vague in its current interpretation. It does not provide any clarity on what land may be taken.
Does this mean that my parents' house can be taken away? Does this mean they can claim the apartment I live in? If that is the case, as a white South-African, I will not lie down and let others steal from me! If it should come to it, I would rather burn it to the ground and destroy everything on the land. They can have the land but they have no right to what my ancestors did with the land!
