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Itinerary
Based on the
advice of South African experts, the fact-finding visit focused on
land restitution, community participation and reconciliation in
two districts, i.e. Gauteng
(Johannesburg, Pretoria) and
KwaZulu-Natal
(Durban,
Pietermaritzburg).
Tuesday,
11 November:
Johannesburg
National Land
Committee (NLC)
Overview and introduction from an activist perspective: “The
demand for restitution and land reform – background and role in
the anti-apartheid struggle”.
Guided field
visit to Thembelihle and Soweto
General
information about people’s situation during and after apartheid;
hear from people what happened to them and how they are living
today, their experience with restitution and land reform, etc.
Accompanied by the Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC) and LPM members.
Wednesday, 12 November:
Johannesburg – Pretoria – Nelspruit/Province Mpumalanga
Mr. Tozi Gwanya, Chief
Commissioner on the Restitution of Land Rights
“Restitution and Land Reform – aims; institutional set-up;
achievements and problems as of today.”
Ms. Ruth Hall (researcher),
University of
Western Cape
Cooperation of NGOs and academic institutions; presentation of
research findings: “Achievements and problems of restitution and
land reform (with special focus on collective rural land claims:
mechanisms, achievements and problems);” background about the
evaluation and planning workshops conducted in Limbopo and
Nelspruit/Mpumalanga
Thursday, 13 November:
Nelspruit/Province Mpumalanga
Participation in
Evaluation/Planning Workshop
Workshop involving researchers (Ruth Hall a.o.), NGOs, CBOs,
government officials and rural communities about research findings
on land reform and restitution; discussion about what can be done
to improve and speed up the process, and which issues require
national political intervention.
Friday, 14 November:
Pietermaritzburg
Ms. Thabi Shange,
Chief, Provincial Commission-KZN
Processing, investigation and implementation of claims.
Association for
Rural Advancement (AFRA) and Partners
Briefing session with AFRA, Church Land Project, Landless
People’s Movement-KZN branch, Network of Rural NGOs in Midlands,
Survivors of Violence, among others, on land and agrarian issues.
Saturday,
15 - Sunday, 16 November:
KwaZulu-Natal, country side
Field Visits
Organized by AFRA
Visits to restitution communities (ongoing and settled rural
land claims and collective claims); and communities who are living
on white commercial farms and/or evicted from farms and staying in
tents.
Monday 17 -
November:
Durban - JHB
Cherryl Walker
(research consultant, former RLCC for KwaZulu-Natal)
Informal discussion about restitution in South Africa;
discussion about open questions and background about the Cato
Manor redevelopment program.
Cato Manor
Visitor’s Center
Oral and video presentation followed by a guided bus tour through
the area, i.e. a presentation of the new official South African
history of Cato Manor (an area where people were removed under the
Group Areas Act, slum and influx control, etc.; symbol of
resistance in the 1950s-1960s. Site of very ambitious
post-apartheid housing redevelopment program with the EU).
Palestine
Solidarity Committee
Discussion on report about
out BADIL fact finding
visit and the issue of Palestinian refugees and debate on
“restitution and land reform, an issue of common
concern and action?”
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