Mashatile and Ramaphosa Hand Over Land to Fix Apartheid Wrongs
Deputy President Paul Mashatile handed over more than 627 hectares of land and title deeds to the Mtsweni family, known as the Schulk Marhiqa CPA, on March 13, 2026, in Govan Mbeki Local Municipality, Mpumalanga. This affects 86 beneficiaries in 18 households whose land was taken under the 1913 Natives Land Act. On March 20, 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa handed over about 17,020 hectares to three communities in Harry Gwala District Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal. These events happen during Human Rights Month and support land restitution to fix apartheid-era losses, as required by the constitution. Details come from SAnews and Thulani Mdakane.
On March 13, 2026, the handover took place at Portions 24 and 26 of Grootvlei Farm. The Mtsweni family once owned this land before it was seized under the Natives Land Act of 1913 and given to the Frans Herbs family. The Schulk Marhiqa CPA now holds the claim for 18 households and 86 people, according to Thulani Mdakane in SAnews.
Deputy President Mashatile called this a sign of the government’s commitment to restorative justice. He said: “This handover is a testament to the ongoing pursuit of justice, and each hectare restored is a meaningful step towards healing historical injustices and reaffirms our resolve to building a fairer and more equitable South Africa. It is also a fulfilment of a promise we made in 1994 that land would be returned to its rightful owners.”
On March 20, 2026, President Ramaphosa gave title deeds to three communities in Harry Gwala District, KwaZulu-Natal. The claims include St. Paul Community at 7,611.2015 hectares, Ngunjini Community at 6,859.5246 hectares, and Nzimankulu/Vierkant Community at 2,550.9542 hectares. This totals around 17,020 hectares, as reported by Mdakane in SAnews.
Laws like the Natives Land Act of 1913 and the Group Areas Act of 1950 led to land dispossession. Black families lost homes and farms through forced removals and evictions. Land went to white owners or uses like commercial farming and forestry.
For quick reference, key acts include:
- Natives Land Act (1913)
- Group Areas Act (1950)
Since 1994, the government has worked on land reform through restitution, redistribution, and tenure reform. This follows the constitution’s call for redress, not punishment. Vast areas of land have returned to beneficiaries, but backlogs remain. More support is needed after settlements to keep farms working, per Mdakane and the research.
These handovers restore dignity and support economic inclusion. Land generates wealth and jobs for families. The Schulk Marhiqa CPA already farms 100 hectares of maize and 30 hectares of soya beans. They also raise cattle and goats.
Government aid totals R16,585,627.80 to help. This covers livestock farming, grain production, and skills training. Mentorship and market links will connect farms to bigger markets.
| Support Area | Amount/Details |
|---|---|
| Livestock farming | Part of R16.6 million package |
| Grain production | Part of R16.6 million package |
| Skills development | Part of R16.6 million package |
This fits nation-building goals during Human Rights Month, as Mdakane notes.
An Inter-Ministerial Committee, led by Deputy President Mashatile, helps solve issues for claimants. This includes faster title deeds and post-settlement aid.
The Presidency works with departments to speed up handovers. The key message to owners is clear.
Those who have been given back the land must till the land, make it productive, and create sustainable employment, contributing to local economic development while ensuring that this asset generates wealth for households for generations to come.
Commitments continue in Human Rights Month for equity and cohesion, per Mdakane.
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