Remarks by ADM Executive Mayor Cllr Nomasikizi Konza at the launch of the re-opening of land claims 14 August 2014 The Queen of AmaRharhabe, Queen Noloyiso The Honourable Minister for Rural Development and Land Reform, Gugile Nkwinti The Honourable Premier of the Eastern Cape Province Phumulo Masualle The Honourable MEC for Rural Development and Agririan Reform Mlibo Qoboshiyane Honourable Members of the provincial legislature The Honourable Executive Mayor of Buffalo City Metro, mama Ncitha The Chief land Claims Commissioner, mama Gobodo Members of Royalty Inkokheli zasekuhlaleni Members of the Media Molweni; Ukutyikitywa kokuvula imiba yezemihlaba ngokomthetho, kumgaqo siseko welilizwe, nguMongameli wethu uGedleyihlekisa Zuma kutsha nje, kusinike inkolelo nethemba thina sisiSizwe esiNtsundu. Inkolelo yokuba ngenene ngenene, likhona ithemba kwaye ikhona inkathalo esuka kuRhulumento nebhekisele kwabo bathi bahluthwa okwabo mandulo. Kukwanike obekekileyo nothwele oluxanduva lubanzi nolunzulu, utata uNkwinti, amandla okuqhubekeka anabe adadele enzulwini. Abhexeshe le nqwelo agxalathele anyuse amendu. Kuba kaloku eli linyungu elisisi gqukru nesingqala kooyihlo-mkhulu bethu. Abasaguqu-guquka nangoku emangcwabeni ngenxa yeziganeko ezabehlelayo ezibuhlungu. Iziganeko ezashiya imisantsa engcungcuthekisa imimoya yabo. Xa ndisenza ke amazwi okuvala lo msitho nawombulelo, ndithi mandigqithe nje ndidumise. Ndidumise the noble step by the South African government to reopen the land claims process and allow the people of South Africa, the Eastern Cape and Amathole. Those that were removed from their land under apartheid rule, but may have missed an earlier deadline for lodging claims for compensation, now have another five years to do so. This bodes well for many especially in our rural dominated District of Amathole, where our population of nearly a million people, are scattered all over the place dispossessed. It responds to our strategic planning as well, following our identification of Land and Human Settlements, as one of the areas challenges facing our seven local Municipalities. In as much as this is not our core business, but due to the nature of the complexity of this avenue, we have had to keep our own Department of Land and Human Settlements in our administration functioning. Whilst we acknowledge that land reform is a specific functional competency of the National Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, the key challenge for the ADM in Land Reform process, is to deal effectively with the injustices of land dispossession, equitable distribution of ownership, reduction of poverty and economic growth. In this regard during the last 20 years of democracy, various strides have been made by the District Municipality in as far as Land Reform & Human Settlements as a Priority Area is concerned. The strides relate to the aspect of Localizing the Land Reform since it is a National responsibility through our Land Reform & Settlement Plan. We are still grappling and making steady progressed in land restitution projects in areas such as Cata; in nine (9) Keiskammahoek Villages including Gxulu neGwili-gwili, and Dwesa-Cwebe. We are also linked with Buffalo City Metro in some cases around Macleantown. Various land parcels were accessed for benefit of communities who previously did not have access to land in Amahlathi. These are farm properties in Kubusie at Amahlathi and Mooiplaas in Great Kei. These are parcels of land are aimed at assisting both settlement and commonage purposes for the communities. As a Municipality, when we embark on various water and sanitation public participation programs, we are always faced with questions around the issue of land restitution. Kwaye ke, xa besibuza abantu bakuthi, they do so expecting answers, and not just vague answers Honourable Minister, but tangible answers from the government that they have duly elected. I am sure that the Honorable Minister and Honourable Members of the Provincial Legislature present here can attest to that. Ndiqinisekile neKumkani-kazi ingandingqinela koko, abantu kudala bekhala. It is therefore a welcome relief to be learning today, that when such questions and inquiries are made, we will give back an equally sensitive and dignified answer. Let me then also in this gathering testify and attest to everyone here that we sincerely believe in this initiative and we have seen it working for our people. Ndifuna ukukhuthaza abantu bakuthi ukuba balisebenzise elithuba. Baxele kumzekelo wase Dwesa – Cwebe. Those communities known as Hobeni, Mendwana, Ntlangano, Mpume, Ngoma, Ntubeni and Cwebe partially lived within the area of the Dwesa- Cwebe nature reserve up until the 1900’s and had access to the reserves resources. During the period 1900 -1950, these communities were removed from the state forest and relocated to land adjacent to the reserve. Again, from 1970 to 1989 the communities were dispossessed of land rights through “betterment planning”. In 1996 the communities of Dwesa–Cwebe signed a “Deed of Settlement” and lodged a claim with the Regional Land Claims Commission. The land claim was settled. The funds for development total an amount of R 12,1 million. They are currently about 2382 households that comprise the seven communities and that benefitted from the development that takes place with such funds. Thus far development includes Electrification of Haven Hotel (Bulk Supply); the Electrification of Dwesa Nature Reserve (Bulk Supply); the Planning and Survey of settlements; Community Gardens; Community Halls; Training and skills; Furniture and equipment and Sports fields. Indeed a good story that moves this country forward will be created and told by the new claimants courtesy of this great initiative by our government. Athi utata uSamuel Edward Krune Mqhayi, noyinzalelwana yalapha e-Amathole eDikeni xa ndimcaphula, athi: “Nants’isiz’inkwenkwe jaJoji wesihlanu. Yez’emadodeni inkwenkw’akoMkhuku. Umdaka oliso litshawuza imibane. Lithi lakujezula unga ungaphanyaza.” Indeed, Ladies and gentlemen, our forefathers starred at those eyes and were blinded. They confronted those who acted godlike in their country and they were crushed. We are testifying today to the contrary. We are restoring the sight of our forefathers. We are moving this country forward. I thank you. Enkosi.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 20:56:54 +0000
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