Ramaphosa Defends South Africa’s Land Reform Amid International Concerns

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa Picture: GCIS
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JOHANNESBURG – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has publicly defended his government’s land reform agenda, asserting that the recently adopted Expropriation Act is not an instrument of confiscation but a constitutionally mandated process aimed at ensuring equitable public access to land.

“The South African government has not confiscated any land,” Ramaphosa emphasized in a statement. “The Expropriation Act ensures public access to land in an equitable and just manner as guided by the constitution.”

This comes in the wake of heightened scrutiny and concern over South Africa’s land reform policies, which aim to address historical land disparities stemming from apartheid and colonialism. Critics, particularly in international circles, have raised fears about the potential for forced land seizures, drawing parallels to Zimbabwe’s controversial land redistribution program.

Ramaphosa sought to allay these fears by drawing a comparison to land expropriation laws in the United States and other nations, noting that South Africa’s policies similarly balance public use needs with the protection of property rights. “Like the United States of America and other countries, South Africa has always had expropriation laws that balance the need for public usage of land and the protection of property owners,” he stated.

The South African president also signaled his willingness to engage with the U.S. government, particularly the administration of former President Donald Trump, to foster mutual understanding on the issue. “We look forward to engaging with the Trump administration over our land reform policy and issues of bilateral interest. We are certain that out of those engagements, we will share a better and common understanding over these matters,” Ramaphosa added.

This diplomatic outreach underscores the importance of maintaining strong ties with the United States, a key strategic partner for South Africa. Ramaphosa highlighted that aside from PEPFAR (the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), which constitutes 17% of South Africa’s HIV/AIDS program funding, South Africa receives no additional aid from the U.S.

The Expropriation Act, which has sparked intense domestic and international debate, is part of the government’s broader efforts to address economic inequality and redistribute land more fairly among South Africa’s population. While supporters argue that the law is a necessary step to rectify historical injustices, opponents warn of potential risks to property rights and investor confidence.