JOHANNESBURG, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- With South Africa reported to expropriate land without compensation, Minister in the Presidency Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said land reform could be key in developing the economy and reducing socio-economic problems.
She told delegates at the second colloquium of the advisory panel on land reform near Centurion that land is significant for the nation's wealth.
"It also stands true that access to land for the majority can propel our economy to greater heights. Land is a center piece to our development strategy towards the South Africa we want, which is free of poverty, unemployment and inequality," Dlamini-Zuma said.
Statistics show a rise for women living in poverty and excluded from the economy, the minister said, adding that land is critical in uplifting the group.
After 1994, South Africa adopted the willing buyer and willing seller policy to address the land possession issue, but the policy failed as farmers whom government bought land from inflated prices.
With the number of farmers declining to about 36,000 from 62,000 over the years, Dlamini-Zuma said that young people should be encouraged to be involved in farming.
"We must attract young people into the sector and increase access to learning opportunities."
South Africa's parliament is reported to be resolved to appropriate land without compensation to ensure all landless citizens have access to land.
Last year, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed the advisory panel board on land reform whose objective is to give a policy on land reform, redistribution and tenure. The work of the panel will be finalized soon and handed over to Ramaphosa next month.
