Question CW39 to the Minister of Public Enterprises
09 March 2020 - CW39
Nhanha, Mr M to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Whether he will provide an update on the post-settlement model between his department and the land claimants that was arranged by the SA Forestry Company Limited (SAFCOL) on a matter that has been going on for more than five years without any success; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Government has decided that settlement of forestry land claim could be informed by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) Agrarian Transformation System (Wagon Wheel) which emphasises significant community’s participation in enterprises operating on their land. In this regard, the communities will be prioritised in terms of:
- Guaranteeing that there is community participation in the planning process and subsequent phases.
- Equity participation in the enterprises operating on their land. This would include rights to have input into appointing non-executive and executive directors and senior management.
- Preference for community based enterprises in the subcontracting for goods and services, enterprise and supplier development, and prioritising of the community in corporate social investment spend.
- Recognition of Tribal Authorities, where they exist as competent oversight authorities over the assets acquired by the communities through the land claim settlement process.
- The land post transfer to community should continue to be used for the prime activities that had been on the land. In the case of forestry, approval by Minister should be obtained before the land use can be changed.
2. The forestry land claims have received a priority within government, with the Mkhwanazi land transfer in the Northern KZN effected on 14 October 2018. The next three parallel land claims are Mbonambi, Dukuduku and Nyalazi which are scheduled to be settled and transferred as per DRDLR’s plans.