Cape sheep farmers battle to hold onto state-allocated farmland due to incompetence at national department

by | Nov 7, 2023

Cape Independent news, Western Cape politics, Cape of Good Hope current affairs, conservative news South Africa, local autonomy Cape, decentralisation Western Cape, Cape conservative opinion, South Africa conservative media, Western Cape news, Cape Town politics, conservative Cape news, local governance Cape, Western Cape opinion articles, Cape autonomy movement, South Africa decentralisation news
Nuveld Farming's wool, which received top prices at auction for its high quality, now sees its land tenure under threat after the Land Reform department failed to deliver the necessary paperwork

SHARE POST:

✅ Link Copied

Three sheep farmers in South Africa, Johannes Bezuidenhout, Herold Bezuidenhout, and Jan Bergh, are battling to secure a 30-year lease for land that was granted to them as part of a state redistribution policy.

Their farm, operated under the Nuveld Farming Empowerment Enterprise, has been seen as a model of what previously disadvantaged community members can achieve if given opportunities. They are now fighting the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development in court to ensure their lease, which has not been delivered, despite a court case being filed in February.

The farmers have sought support from the Legal Resources Centre (LRC), and the Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) joined them as amicus curiae. The HSF is concerned that the farmers have fallen victim to a lack of clear policy and decades-long confusion and incompetence within the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development regarding land redistribution.

The trio’s legal action aims to bring systemic relief and change the way land redistribution programs are undertaken in South Africa. They have applied for the 30-year lease to create a legal framework for land redistribution programs, ensuring clear criteria and a transparent process for applicants.

The farmers were allocated state-owned farmland in 2009 as part of the state’s redistribution program, but their application for the lease has not been granted.

Their successful sheep farming operations have achieved the highest average wool prices in their region at national wool auctions, but their long-term security on the land is now in jeopardy.

The case illustrates the shortcomings of the national department, and the difficulties in relying on them for basic administrative tasks, which has created concerns surrounding the pending Expropriation Bill, which only grants people the right to appeal expropriation of property without compensation after it has been expropriated.

Department spokesperson Reggie Ngcobo has stated that the department has filed court papers in response to the case but declined to provide further comments on the matter. The court case seeks to secure land rights for the three farmers and create a more systematic approach to land redistribution programs.

0 0 votes
Rate this article

Independent news and opinion from the Cape of Good Hope for readers who value good old common sense. We focus on what really matters in South Africa.

Article views: 32

Interested in joining the movement? Find ways to get involved

GET NOTIFIED FOR NEW CONTENT

read more

Cape Town DA support, Democratic Alliance Cape Town, southern suburbs frustration, Cape Town municipal rates, Cape Town fixed tariffs, Constantia residents, DA voters unhappy, Cape Town local government, Cape Town service delivery, Cape Town property rates, informal settlements Cape Town, DA voter dissatisfaction, Cape Town politics, municipal costs Cape Town, Cape Town elections

Signs of discontent emerge in Cape Town southern suburbs

Growing frustration over tariffs, service delivery and governance is testing DA support in Cape Town suburbs.

Patriotic Alliance Stellenbosch, PA wins Cloetesville, DA loses Stellenbosch ward, Stellenbosch by election, George Uniondale by election, DA wins Uniondale, Patriotic Alliance growth, South Africa local elections, Western Cape by elections, Cloetesville election results, Stellenbosch council seats, ANC loses support Uniondale

PA takes Stellenbosch ward from DA as DA captures Uniondale from ANC

Patriotic Alliance wins Cloetesville from the Democratic Alliance as major by-election reshapes Western Cape councils.

Cape Town tariffs, Geordin Hill Lewis, unlawful tariffs, Cape Town over charges, tariff refunds, City of Cape Town, Western Cape High Court, Nersa, municipal tariffs, Cape Town billing dispute, unlawful fixed charges, ratepayer refunds, Cape Town water tariffs, sanitation tariffs, electricity tariff dispute

Hill-Lewis “not a king”: Cape Town urged to repay unlawful tariff charges

Cape Town faces mounting pressure to refund residents after court rulings declared fixed tariffs unlawful.

The New Global System

Robert Duigan

Many are confused about Trump’s trade policies, but the full plan has been public for months. It is extremely risky and long-termist – Trump may not even live to see the benefits.

The Old Navy Sanatorium reminds me of Zimbabwe

David Wilkinson

Above Simon’s Town is a cluster of heritage buildings.

Understand South Africa’s Oligarchy

May 15th, 2026

South Africa oligarchy, South African economy, economic concentration South Africa, political economy South Africa, wealth inequality South Africa, corporate power South Africa, oligarchs South Africa, state and business relations, concentrated wealth South Africa, South African elites, economic power structures, monopoly economy South Africa, South African capitalism, political influence business, institutional power South Africa

SA must go feudal now or it will die

May 12th, 2026

South Africa decline, South Africa de developing state, South African politics, tribalism in South Africa, feudalism and political order, South African infrastructure collapse, post apartheid South Africa, South African liberalism, minority self reliance South Africa, African tribal politics, Francis Fukuyama South Africa, South African state failure, Cape independence movement, Solidarity Movement, Sakeliga, Lex Libertas, South African governance crisis, race and institutions South Africa, South African social commentary, South African political analysis, South Africa 2026