Latest news with #LandReform
The South African
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Deputy President Paul Mashatile withstood intense interrogation
Deputy President Paul Mashatile told the National Assembly on 12 June 2025 that small-scale farmers still struggle to obtain credit due to the lack of title deeds, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and Limpopo. He says the government granted R500 million and 44 000 hectares for land redistribution in the 2025–2026 fiscal year. This is in line with the numbers in the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development's 2025 budget vote. Some parliament members say progress is still slow because of bureaucratic and legal delays. Mashatile, head of the Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security (JCPS) Cluster, says Operation Shanela has led to 13 000 arrests. The operation ran from 17 to 23 March 2025. The programme's main goal is to stop gang violence in places like the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Stats SA Q1 2025 data shows youth unemployment at 45.5 percent, further pushing gang recruitment. Security experts at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Africa say we can't stop crime without dealing with poverty and gaps in education. Mashatile attested to 105 municipalities' poor water supply performance. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) sends engineers to keep an eye on failing projects. Theft, leaks, and billing errors cause water losses of up to 50% in some metros, according to the DWS 2025 performance report. Outdated water infrastructure in places like Emfuleni, which has not been updated in over 40 years, has led to over R17 billion in debt owed to water boards and growing public discontent. Deputy President Paulus Mashatile warned that the United States' withdrawal from the PEPFAR would leave South Africa with an annual R8 million shortfall. He said domestic resources will secure antiretroviral (ARV) medications for the next two years. The South African National AIDS Council's (SANAC's) 'Close the Gap' campaign aimed to place 1.1 million people on antiretroviral treatment by 2025. However, groups like Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) warn that without ongoing funding, most vulnerable patients face serious risks. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
The Citizen
02-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Zeekoehoek development plan seeks public feedback
Mogale City, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development, is developing a Precinct Plan for the Zeekoehoek area. As identified in the city's Spatial Development Framework, Zeekoehoek was earmarked as an area requiring a precinct plan. According to MCLM communications officer Refilwe Mahlangu, precincts are not necessarily formal administrative zones but rather smaller geographic areas with distinct characteristics that necessitate detailed planning and strategic interventions to guide future development. 'The Zeekoehoek Precinct Plan area is in the western reaches of the city, south of the R560. The R24 runs through its far western boundary, while the R563 forms the eastern edge. The precinct includes portions of the following farms: Zeekoehoek 509, Waterval West 510, Impala 563, and Doornbosch 508,' Mahlangu said. The municipality invites members of the public to submit their comments on the draft Zeekoehoek Precinct Plan, which will play a crucial role in shaping the future development of the area. The draft can be found on Mogale City's official website. The closing date for comments is August 22. For enquiries and further information, please send an email to or At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Trump to meet with South African president amid tensions over aid, Afrikaners, Israel: Live updates
Donald Trump will host President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa at the White House today amid ongoing tensions between the two nations since the beginning of his administration. The president has criticized South African land reform, which aims to address the injustices of apartheid, as well as the genocide court case against Israel. Trump canceled aid to the country, expelled its ambassador, and offered refuge to white minority Afrikaners based on racial discrimination claims that Pretoria says are unfounded. Ramaphosa says no matter what, the U.S. and South Africa 'are joined at the hip and we need to be talking to them.' The U.S. is South Africa's second biggest trading partner after China. At today's lunch and Oval Office meeting between the two leaders, Ramaphosa's delegation will include luxury goods tycoon Johann Rupert and champion golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen. Trump will be accompanied by Vice President JD Vance and South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, who has accused Ramaphosa of pursuing anti-white policies, which Ramaphosa denies. A spokesperson for Ramaphosa has dismissed speculation that there could be a shouting match similar to the clash between Trump and Ukraine 's Volodymyr Zelensky in February. Good morning Welcome to our rolling coverage of today's meeting between President Donald Trump and Cyril Ramaphosa, president of South Africa. Trump is set to greet his South African counterpart outside the White House at 11:30 a.m. ET this morning before a bilateral lunch in the Cabinet room. That will be followed by a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office at 12:45 p.m. Joining the South African delegation will be luxury goods tycoon Johann Rupert and champion golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen. Oliver O'Connell21 May 2025 14:43
The Herald
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
Cyril Ramaphosa to visit US next week to meet Donald Trump, presidency confirms
President Cyril Ramaphosa will travel to the US on a working visit next week and will meet US President Donald Trump on May 21, Ramaphosa's office said in a statement late on Wednesday. 'President Ramaphosa will meet President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington DC to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of interest,' the presidency said. 'The president's visit to the US provides a platform to reset the strategic relationship between the two countries,' the statement added. Relations between South Africa and the US have soured significantly since Trump returned to the White House in January. Trump has cut all US financial assistance to South Africa, citing disapproval of its land reform policy and of its genocide case at the International Court of Justice against Washington's ally Israel. This week the Trump administration welcomed 49 white South Africans to whom it has granted refugee status, having deemed them victims of racial discrimination. South Africa maintains there is no evidence of persecution of white people in the country and Ramaphosa has said the US government 'has got the wrong end of the stick'. The US is South Africa's second-largest bilateral trading partner after China. Reuters
Bahrain News Gazette
10-04-2025
- Business
- Bahrain News Gazette
Zimbabwe Government Delivers on Commitment: Compensation of Former Farm Owners Under the Global Compensation Deed Commences
In February 2025, Government disbursed US$20 million towards compensation of investors protected by Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement whose farms were affected by the 2000 Land Reform programme HARARE, ZIMBABWE – EQS Newswire – 10 April 2025 – Zimbabwe Government has started fulfilling its commitment to compensate Former Farm Owners (FFOs) claims under the Global Compensation Deed (GCD) signed in 2020. To date, 740 farms have been approved for compensation. In this regard, Government disbursed US$3.1 million for the first batch of 378 processed farms. This amount is 1 per cent of the total compensation claim value of US$311 million. Government has also issued Treasury bonds amounting to US$ 308 million for the first batch of farmers. FFOs receive 1 per cent of their claim in cash, with the balance being paid through US$ denominated Treasury bonds with a 2 per cent coupon and maturities of 2 to 10 years. Government allocated US$10 million in the 2025 National Budget for the compensation of FFOs under the GCD. Zimbabwe's Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion, Hon. Prof. Mthuli Ncube, reaffirmed the Government's commitment to reforms aimed at clearing the country's arrears and resolving its debt burden, emphasizing that 'payments to FFOs will continue.' ' Monday 24 March 2025 saw the first US Dollar Cash payments due under this plan being paid to the signed up FFOs,' said Mr. Andrew. J. Pascoe, Chairperson of the Compensation Steering Committee. Mr. Pascoe thanked His Excellency, President Dr. E.D Mnangagwa for upholding the commitment to compensate FFOs for improvements on farms acquired under the Fast Track Land Reform Programme more than 20 years ago. He believes this move ' will attract and strengthen the local, regional and international goodwill that will be vital for the success of the country's current Arrears Clearance and Debt Resolution Process.' UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Ayodele Odusola welcomed the progress made under the GCD framework and expressed commitment 'to supporting a transparent, inclusive, and sustainable process that contributes to economic recovery and re-engagement .' Ambassador of Switzerland to Zimbabwe, H.E. Stéphane Rey said; 'These initial payments are a step in the right direction and hopefully more farmers will come forward to seek compensation based on this development.' This compensation marks another historic milestone. In February 2025, Government disbursed US$20 million towards compensation of investors protected by Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement whose farms were affected by the 2000 Land Reform programme. Both milestones are key as Zimbabwe seeks to clear its arrears, restore debt sustainability, and unlock new concessional external financing to achieve its development goals. Zimbabwe further calls for support from partners to complement its efforts. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Zimbabwe's Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion. Download Image (1): (Zimbabwe President H.E Emmerson D Mnangagwa flanked by Zims Finance Minister Ncube Afdb President Dr. A.A. Adesina Ambassador Nuno) Download Image (2): (Zimbabwes Finance Minister Hon. Prof Mthuli Ncube) Download Image (3): (President of Zimbabwe. H.E Emmerson D. Mnangagwa) Additional Link (1): Additional Link (2): Download Audio: Download Presentation: Download Video:
