Land Restitution Development Engine

Alleviating Poverty by

Developing Opportunities

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Land restitution is one of the key issues since South Africa achieved democracy in 1994 and as such what has been achieved since the promulgation of the Restitution of Land Right is significant.

However it is not without its challenges and for all the South African Governments valiant efforts to make these projects a success they have been open to abuse and exploitation by those who have the means to monetarily manipulate the system. This leaves communities vulnerable to venture capitalist’s who would exploit the dire needs of the people for their own benefit.

How do we set our communities FREE from capture and give Restitution Projects the skills and opportunities they need to develop sustainable projects on their land?

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Breaking a Generational Cycle

Due to the legacy of the Apartheid system, which destroyed peoples dignity and created a generation of young people who has lost the ability to be competitive in any meaning full way in our economy. It is up to communities to survive by any means necessary as the state does not have the resources to deal with every instance, and there are many.

Land Restitution in its purest form is idealistic. But what happens after the land is restituted? There are no skills or development structures in place to uplift communities and equip them with the tools to make the correct decisions.

The cycle of EATING before DEVELOPMENT cannot be blamed on anyone, as a hungry family will always seek to EAT before they think of planning for the future. So an Association run by the community will always prioritise the needs of the impoverished before SUSTAINABILITY.

The state institutions like Department Of Trade and Industry(DTI) or the Department Of Rural Development Land Reform and Agriculture(RDLR) all too some degree offer assistance to restitution projects. But that assistance has little to know oversight or follow through once committed to. As a result the project fails and creates contention within the communities.

With unhappy communities leading to an unhappy Nation!

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Independent Development Engine

Any development within Restitution Projects must be governed by principles of inclusive decision making, but with a very astute business influence. These developments must have oversight of commercial personnel capable of supporting sustainable project plans. They also need to be free of political leverage and influence that so often accompanies state involvement.

The following funding principles are key:

• Establishing expert supporting institutions which play an oversight role in all related dimensions of developments in Restitution projects, being a key ingredient to success.
• A community first approach where Job creation is key to stabilising household income streams.
• A ZERO tolerance approach to nepotism and cronyism which has been observed in community managed associations.
• Sustainable funding models which builds on growth before profit.
• Community ownership and skill development plans.
• Implementing an Equity Profit Share system for all developments to support and encourage dedicated community workers.

Government institutions do not have the skills or resources to support communities across South Africa and Private funders have a profit driven approach.

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Our Objective

The primary focus of our initiative is to chose 4 Restitution Projects nationally with the best potential to create a sustainable primary and secondary industry in their respective regions. Then to develop a strategic plan focusing on the chosen development, suited to their land and overseeing that development until it's commercially viable and sustainable.

Building a strong agriculturally orientated mindset in rural communities focusing on both cash crops and long term export crops. Developing Cattle farming as a sustainable industry with skills appropriate to support local food supply chains. Supporting Restitution projects with development plans for natural fauna to leverage game tourism and maintain healthy populations of species.

And to achieve this without any political or corporate obligations thus giving these communities an opportunity to become benchmarks for all developments nationwide.