CONSIDERATIONS WITH REGARD TO LAND REFORM IN THE FREE STATE: LAND USE, AVAILABILITY AND NEEDS / OORWGINGS MET BETREKKING TOT GRONDHERVORMING IN DIE VRYSTAAT: GRONDGEBRUIK, BESKIKBAARHIED EN BEHOEFTES

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to contribute to the process of land reform through highlighting important considerations with regard to land reform in the provincial context of the Free State. It deals with land use, ownership, tenure and availability as well as land needs. Some considerations regarding some major groups of beneficiaries are crucial in the land reform process; equity, and political and economic stability may be enhanced through land reform in the Free State. To a lesser extent, efficiency may also be improved if problems with regard to land utilisation are addressed, particularly land tenure and security of farmers. Land markets, natural resources and administrative infrastructure appear to be adequate to facilitate market assisted land reform. However, agro-ecological diversity agro-ecological and pressures on local TLC's to provide services, strongly suggest that environmental aspects and town and regional planning must be important considerations in the land reform process. It is important to involve communities in the process of generating solutions that take into account the uniqueness of their situations.

Die doel van hierdie referaat is om 'n bydrae te maak tot die grondhervormingsporses deur die beklemtoning van belangrike oorwegings met betrekking tot grondhervorming in die Vrystaat. Dit behandel grondgebruik, eienaarskap, besetting en beskikbaarheid sowel as behoeftes aan grond. Sommige oorwegings rakende belangrike groepe bevoordeeldes is van deurslaggewene belang in die grondhervormingsproses; billikheid en politieke en ekonomiese stabiliteit kan bevorder word deur grondhervorming in die Vrystaat. Doeltreffendheid kan ook tot 'n kleiner mate bevorder word indien probleme met grondgebruik aangespreek word veral grondbesetting en sekuriteit van boere grondmarkte, natuurbronne en administratiewe infrastruktuur skyn voldoende te wees vir die fasilitering van markgedrewe grondhervorming. Agroekologiese diversiteit en druk op plaastike owerhede van dienste te voorsien suggereer egter sterk dat omgewingsaspekte en dorp- en streeksbeplanning belangrike oorwegings in die grondhervormingsproses moet wees. Dit is belangrik om gemeenskappe te betrek in die proses om oplossings te genereer wat die uniekheid van hul situasies in ag neem.