South Africa’s new land expropriation law has reignited tensions over land ownership. The legislation, which allows land confiscation in rare cases without compensation, has drawn both support and opposition, highlighting deep inequalities.
In the Free State province, the township of Fateng Tse Ntsho is home to 7,000 Black South Africans, surrounded by vast, white-owned farmlands—a stark reminder of the country’s entrenched land disparities. Whites, who make up 8% of the population, own nearly 75% of privately held land, while Black ownership remains at just 4%, despite Black South Africans accounting for 80% of the population.
The Expropriation Act, signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa last month, seeks to redress this imbalance. However, it has sparked fears among white landowners, some of whom see it as a threat to property rights. U.S. President Donald Trump has openly criticized the law, falsely claiming that land had already been seized, and even offered white farmers resettlement in the U.S.
For Black farmworkers like Shadrack Maseko, whose family has lived on a white-owned farm for generations, land remains a deeply personal issue. His community of 14 families has been locked in a dispute with the farm’s new white owners over grazing rights, with legal battles forcing some to sell their cattle.
The debate over land reform in South Africa is far from new. Colonial laws and apartheid-era policies systematically stripped Black South Africans of land rights. The 1913 Native Land Act allocated most farmland to whites, while the 1950 forced removals displaced 3.5 million Black residents.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a radical opposition party, calls for outright land seizures, while AfriForum, a group representing white Afrikaners, warns of potential “land grabs”. Legal experts note that the law includes 17 procedural safeguards before expropriation can occur, yet fears persist.
Some white farmers, like Danie Bruwer, take a more pragmatic stance, acknowledging that land reform is necessary but warning that government inefficiency, corruption, and climate challenges could limit the law’s impact.
For many, the Expropriation Act is less about immediate land redistribution and more about correcting historical injustices. Legal scholar Tembeka Ngcukaitobi describes it as the "start, not the end of the journey," ensuring that South Africa’s long fight for land justice was not in vain.
China successfully launched eight satellites into space on Tuesday using a commercial Smart Dragon-3 rocket. The launch took place in waters near Haiyang city, Shandong province. All satellites were placed into their planned orbit, marking the fourth mission for the Smart Dragon-3 rocket.
The M23 rebel group intensified its offensive in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on Monday, pushing closer to the territorial capital of Walikale, according to local media reports.
Apple’s iPhone, along with other foreign-branded smartphones, saw a sharp 21% decline in shipments in China this January. Economic shifts and rising competition from local brands are reshaping the market, putting pressure on international players like Apple.
Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has sued the Indian government over the approval of commercial flights from Hindon Airbase, 30 km from the capital's airport. DIAL argues it violates aviation regulations and threatens financial viability, seeking to overturn the decision.
China successfully launched eight satellites into space on Tuesday using a commercial Smart Dragon-3 rocket. The launch took place in waters near Haiyang city, Shandong province. All satellites were placed into their planned orbit, marking the fourth mission for the Smart Dragon-3 rocket.
A hard-right candidate is projected to win the first round of Romania’s presidential election rerun in May, a survey shows. However, centrist Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan is expected to prevail in the final round, keeping Romania on its pro-European course despite rising nationalist rhetoric.
The M23 rebel group intensified its offensive in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on Monday, pushing closer to the territorial capital of Walikale, according to local media reports.
President Donald Trump has expressed his gratitude to El Salvador after the country's president, Nayib Bukele, shared dramatic footage of hundreds of alleged migrant criminals arriving in Central America after being deported from the U.S. on Sunday.
The inside of a Herculaneum delicate & ancient scroll, unseen for nearly 2,000 years, has been revealed using Artificial Intelligence.
World leaders welcomed the 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine has agreed to, calling it a step toward ending the conflict with Russia.
President Donald Trump has vowed to respond to the European Union's counter-tariffs, escalating tensions over the U.S. steel and aluminum duties that have sparked a trade dispute between the two economic powers.
In Tuesday’s closely watched parliamentary election, Greenland’s pro-business opposition Demokraatit party took a commanding lead after over 90% of the ballots were counted.
BioNTech forecasts a revenue decline for 2025, expecting between 1.7 billion and 2.2 billion euros, down from 2.75 billion euros last year. This drop is due to Pfizer write-downs and stable vaccination rates. BioNTech also plans significant job cuts and new hires.
China successfully launched eight satellites into space on Tuesday using a commercial Smart Dragon-3 rocket. The launch took place in waters near Haiyang city, Shandong province. All satellites were placed into their planned orbit, marking the fourth mission for the Smart Dragon-3 rocket.
A hard-right candidate is projected to win the first round of Romania’s presidential election rerun in May, a survey shows. However, centrist Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan is expected to prevail in the final round, keeping Romania on its pro-European course despite rising nationalist rhetoric.
The M23 rebel group intensified its offensive in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on Monday, pushing closer to the territorial capital of Walikale, according to local media reports.
President Donald Trump has expressed his gratitude to El Salvador after the country's president, Nayib Bukele, shared dramatic footage of hundreds of alleged migrant criminals arriving in Central America after being deported from the U.S. on Sunday.
India and New Zealand have signed a memorandum of understanding to boost defence cooperation, enhancing bilateral ties through joint exercises, training, and a roadmap for collaboration in the defence industry.
China successfully launched eight satellites into space on Tuesday using a commercial Smart Dragon-3 rocket. The launch took place in waters near Haiyang city, Shandong province. All satellites were placed into their planned orbit, marking the fourth mission for the Smart Dragon-3 rocket.
A hard-right candidate is projected to win the first round of Romania’s presidential election rerun in May, a survey shows. However, centrist Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan is expected to prevail in the final round, keeping Romania on its pro-European course despite rising nationalist rhetoric.
The M23 rebel group intensified its offensive in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on Monday, pushing closer to the territorial capital of Walikale, according to local media reports.
President Donald Trump has expressed his gratitude to El Salvador after the country's president, Nayib Bukele, shared dramatic footage of hundreds of alleged migrant criminals arriving in Central America after being deported from the U.S. on Sunday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment