Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister, Ms Thoko Didiza together with the MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi, today lead a Title Deed handover ceremony in Bethany, KwaZulu-Natal Province.

The event brings to finality claims for rights in land lost by the Nzimakwe, Mbotho, Juluku and Ndwalane communities under the 1913 Natives’ Land Act, following a settlement through the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights who procured the land at a cost of R282 073 169 (Two Hundred and Eighty-Two Million, Seventy-Three Thousand, One Hundred and Sixty-Nine Rands) for the communities.

The handover ceremony takes place against the backdrop of Women’s Month under the national theme: “Women’s Socio-Economic Rights and Empowerment: Building Back Better for Women’s Improved Resilience”.

The restoration of land benefits approximately 6177 beneficiaries respectively from the Nzimakwe, Mbotho, Juluku and Ndwalane communities. It is important to note that nearly 50% of the beneficiary total is from female-headed households.

At present the land is used for agricultural purposes to produce timber, sugarcane, macadamia nuts and bananas.

For more information, please contact:
• Media Liaison Officer and Spokesperson to the Minister: Mr Reggie Ngcobo on 066 298 0980 or MLO.Minister@dalrrd.gov.za 

#Phezkomkhono