The SAHRC hosted the conference which aimed to reflect on measures taken to redistribute land in South Africa.

Majola said the significance of land in the country and the world over could never be overstated, mainly because of the history of black people's dispossession of land by white people.

"Land is indeed of grave significance to the country and especially to us as the SAHRC.

"Twenty-nine years into South Africa's democracy, the SAHRC says it is high time the inherent dignity of the people of South Africa be effectively respected, protected, promoted and fulfilled when it comes to access to land.

"The Constitution recognises the devastation caused by the Natives Land Act," he added.

Majola said the act prohibited Africans from entering into any agreement or transaction for the purchase, hire, or other acquisition of land from a person other than a native.

"The act seized the very asset which was central to the lives of African people and rendered them destitute."

He said:
The impact was so profound as it locked black people in servitude and closed livelihood avenues for Africans other than to work for white farmers and industrialists.

He added the SAHRC had issued numerous investigative reports and research briefs and made various submissions on parliamentary bills that affected land.

Majola also made a clarion call to Chapter 9 institutions, civil society organisations, and society to look at ways in which they could assist in ensuring the government fulfilled its obligations in terms of the Constitution concerning access to land.

Source: News24