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In the Northern Cape, anger has taken hold and the issue of indigenous peoples' rights has been raised, but what was clear is that the expropriation of land without compensation has received support from the majority of communities. Tebogo Letsie tells the story in words and pictures
It all began quietly as Toll Speelman Hall of Upington began to fill up – hundreds of people were entering it.
Everything changed when the public came to make submissions as public hearings on the expropriation of land without compensation began in an agricultural town in the heart of the "Green Kalahari" North Cape last week.
A thin quickly became clear: all blacks completely supported the idea of the expropriation of land without compensation, as well as the amendment of Article 25 of the Constitution.
The hearings were quickly charged with emotion. People have poured their hearts in support of the idea, taking advantage of the opportunity to share their emotions about how they have been marginalized.
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A representative of Khoisan was in agreement with the majority, but had questions to ask. He wanted to know if there would be a guarantee of allocating land to them as the first inhabitants of southern Africa.
He did not get an immediate answer.
But, as is the case for many arguments, it will surely be part of broader discussions in different forums before Parliament deliberates on the issue and makes a decision.
Stanley Peterson, leader of the KhoiSan Revolution Party, spoke angrily about how the indigenous people had always been excluded – during apartheid and even after the advent of democracy in 1994
He complained of the non-recognition of Khoisan by the ANC and the democratic government.
A handful of whites came to the podium to record their voices. All who took the floor disagree with the amendment of Article 25 of the Constitution, demanding fair compensation if their lands are expropriated.
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Johannes Muller, a farmer in Upington, told the committee that land expropriation without compensation would harm the country's economy, saying that the government should give title deeds to all citizens instead of expropriating land
. Oasis of Kalahari, given its rich and abundant water source, the atmosphere was tense, with emotions rising high. Sometimes, during the hearings, people became intolerant as different racial groups made their representations.
Boipelo Javas, a descendant of Kgosi Kolotisi Golela, had to step in and call the meeting to order. She raised concerns about what she said were "insulting voices from the white group down the hall while blacks were talking on the podium."
Javas took the opportunity to badert that "during the dispossession of the land by the whites, they did not just take away the land but our dignity, culture and wealth of blacks".
She stressed her strong support for the expropriation of land without compensation and the amendment of Article 25 of the Constitution.
Nicol Jansen, representing small farmers in Kuruman, said the current land debates would hurt the economy, adding that "the government has bought thousands of dollars." 39 hectares of land in the past and blacks freely bought and sold land … "
He argued that" the Constitution is not an obstacle
In another part of the Northern Cape, Steven Brou was putting a load of firewood on his donkey cart.
This is part of life in his hometown of Olifantshoek and although he did not go to the hearings, Brou still had something to say about the land issue.
He says getting a land that he could call his would make him the happiest and most proud man ever.
"I need land for my 50 goats, I work on a seasonal farm, but I would like to own land where I can farm and have land where my sheep and goats can wandering and grazing freely. "
This feature is part of a Land journalistic partnership between City Press, Report, HuffPost SA, Landbouweekblad and Code for Africa to find unpublished stories, broadcast debates , amplify muffled voices, do research and, along the way, find equitable solutions to the very important land issue of SA 19659028] Clear message: People line up to enter the toll Speelman Hall in Upington. One could not misunderstand the attitude of this person, whose cardboard poster said: "We want to own our own land"
All ears: People are crowding into the Toll Speelman Hall in Upington. Most people are in favor of the expropriation of land without compensation
