MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) – More than R30 billion will be lost by the region if economic circumstances are ignored during the land restitution process.

These statistics came to the fore during the courtesy meeting of the MEC for Agriculture that was held with land owners and land claimants on Sunday, April 17.

MEC Dikeledi Magadzi addressed the meeting on land reform that was held at the Makhado show grounds. On Sunday, land owners were assured by the MEC that no “Zimbabwe situation” will arise in the area and that a solution will be negotiated.

The Chairpersons Association (CA) stated the case that the province would not be able to survive an outflow of money and expertise and pleaded for sustainable value creation.

The latest statistics have been put on the table and cannot be ignored. There are 2 915 farmers registered for VAT as per the census of 2002 in the Limpopo Province. These 2 915 farmers probably create job opportunities to 101 249 employees. In normal terms, these labourers maintain family members of up to 600 000 people.

The farms in Limpopo create value to the amount of R4.5 milliard per annum. If this is multiplied by eight in order to establish the value created for each Rand spent, then the total amount that is generated directly and indirectly by the farmers, amounts to R34 milliard per annum.

“If the Land Restitution process is not implemented according to a proper plan with consideration to all the socio-economic circumstances, then we are going to create a vacuum where R34 billion per annum will be lost to this region, as well as 101 249 job opportunities on a permanent basis. This will lead to poverty creation,” Mr André Naudé, chairperson of the CA, said.

A suggestion was made by the CA that a panel should be set up assisted by professional people, involving all stakeholders in order to design an implementation strategy. The panel could consist of independent auditors, lawyers and valuers, as well as land claimants, landowners, members of the Land Claims Commissioner, as well as members of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Industry, Finance, and the Receiver of Revenue.

“Our region demands good governance in respect of land reform,” Naudé said.

The MEC was unable to attend a previous meeting with the Chairpersons Association which had been scheduled for April 7. The Mayor of the Vhembe District, Mr Sam Moeti, attended that meeting.