And as such, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or the Commission) as one of the bodies created to support constitutional democracy in the country has undertaken a number of key interventions on the subject through public hearings, resolving individual complaints and engagement with relevant state departments. Some of these activities are highlighted in publications such as the National Inquiry into Human Rights Violations in Farming Communities, Progress made in terms of Land Tenure Security, Safety and Labour Relations in Farming Communities since 2003, Monitoring and Investigating the Systemic Challenges Affecting the Land Restitution Process in South Africa, and Rural Land Use and Ownership Patterns on Human Rights.

Throughout the years, the SAHRC’s work generally pointed to a number of challenges faced by the country regarding land reform. And as such, the SAHRC made key recommendations to government and other key players involved in the issue of land that; farm owners and the government must interact and address the many issues facing people within farming communities; for the then Department of Land Affairs to enter into an urgent dialogue with its social partners to review, clarify and reform its policy on tenure security for farm workers and occupiers; and capacitating the Commission on the Restitution of Land Rights (CRLR) to enable it to effectively and expeditiously process land claims lodged with it.

Owing to the challenges listed above, the national conference aims to assess the extent to which the State has addressed the legacy of the Act. Further interrogate State’s fulfilment of the land reform goals in line with all the previous recommendations and findings made by various institutions such as the SAHRC and other Chapter 9 bodies, civil society, academia, and the State itself, on land reform.

Former Minister of Public Service and Administration Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, who also serves on the United Nations Committee of Experts on Public Administration will provide a keynote address. Renowned speakers at the conference will include members of the civil society, academia, Government, traditional leaders and Chapter 9 bodies.

The Conference will be held as follows:

Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre, 44 Viewpoint Street, Bartlett, Boksburg, 1459, Dates: 30 – 31 August 2023, Time: 08:30 – 16:00

Members of the media are welcomed to attend all sessions.

Ends

Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission

Wisani Baloyi – Acting Communications Coordinator Tel: 081 016 8308 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Alucia Sekgathume – External Communications Tel: 082 689 2364 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.