Past wrongs and gender rights: Issues and conflicts in South Africa's land reform

Abstract

South Africa's agrarian situation presents a range of daunting issues, including extreme rural poverty and a government hindered by severe financial constraints. At the same time, the country's attempts to incorporate gender issues into land reform, are virtually unique. The study discusses several major issues which confront the present Pilot Programme, and any future reform: demand for land; demand for services; the issue of ‘the household'; traditional authorities; forms of land tenure; and the nature of public participation. The analysis stresses that all of these are gender issues, as is the extent of conflict raised through overt discussion of gender processes. None of these questions has a straightforward ‘answer ‘ but their consideration is likely instead to raise additional questions.