Sisonke Masilwe Indlala Influences the Church’s Interest in Land Justice Issues

by Christopher Saaiman, SMI member

Profile JH partner network Sisonke Masilwe Indlala (SMI) >>>

SACC Land Summit – 20-22 June
As a precursor to the SACC Tri-ennial Conference to be held in mid July, a Land Summit was called, to which SMI was invited. During this meeting, SMI member Rev. Philemon Talane presented the resolutions that had evolved from the May workshop. And they were accepted! Some of those points included were:

• The call for a people’s land summit;
• A moratorium of land evictions;
• A moratorium on sale of land to foreigners (including farms which are being converted to game parks);
• Appropriate forms of land tenure to promote stable, long-term access to land for all South Africans who seek to use land productively;
• Access to land for sustainable livelihoods and food security;
• A Plan beyond 2008.

A document entitled the SACC “Resolution from Church Land Conference” was the outcome of this meeting. The resolution calls for a new partnership between the churches in the SACC and rural communities. In its Vision focus the SACC addresses the need to define its primary purpose for working on land issues, stating the Council's primary objective must be “to support and strengthen landless and suffering households as they work together to seek access to land, sustainable livelihoods and food security.”

Beyond that, the SACC affirms in the document that “the Church must develop a 10 year vision for the progress of land reform . . . At the same time it must urge government to be planning beyond 2008 and setting more ambitious targets for land reform and redistribution . .”

All this was a major step forward, especially with the Tri-ennial Conference within sight!

SACC Tri-ennial Conference – 17-19 July

This Conference is a major event for the South Africa Council of Churches as church leaders from all member churches throughout the country are invited to participate.

It was an honor then for SMI member Rev Christopher Saaiman to be requested by the Justice & Reconciliation unit of the SACC to chair its meeting at this Conference. The head of this unit had become aware of SMI when he attended a convention of churches in the southern part of the country at which Christopher addressed land justice issues, hence his invitation to preside this meeting.

A number of points arising from this meeting were encouraging, including:

- the need to hold a gathering in which people could tell their stories; and

- a request be made to the SACC to set up a meeting with stakeholders.

For Christopher an especially encouraging moment was to see some of the white Dutch Reformed Church pastors beginning to acknowledge the need to deal with these land justice issues. Historically in South Africa the leaders in these churches were aligned with the apartheid government and were therefore seen to represent the white land owners and to protect those in positions of privilege. At one point in the meeting one pastor stood up and said: “We must address this thing. White people have been privileged for so long. And the possession of land was done in sinful ways which we can no longer ignore.”

So why is all this significant?
It shows that a small, relatively unknown network in South Africa is successfully beginning to influence the largest ecumenical body in the country on land issues! One year ago the SACC was not as active in this area but now the decisions taken as a body guide the responses and involvements of the churches in South Africa. So the solidarity of the churches on land issues is being strengthened – and THAT is exciting!

Trainings on Organic Farming Methods Continue

by Mati Mathabatha

Passionate about farming and "permaculture" (organic gardening / farming methods), Rev Welile Sigabi continued training in communities of both the south western and northern parts of the country, in areas where other SMI members are actively involved.

In June in a village in Polokwane, in the far north, 11 people completed the week-long, practical application course. As was later reported, all of them have since planted their own gardens and some vegetables have already been harvested. As great interest was ignited among their neighbors, they are now teaching others how to start their own permaculture gardens. People are often so reliant on fertilizers and other supplies to garden that they are surprised it is really working this way! Now, with extra produce on hand, marketing to produce an income is a next step.

The Impacts of Privatization and Unemployment on a Forestry Community

Patrick Sambo, Southern Cape Land Committee

A second permaculture training, done in Jonkersberg in the South Western Cape, was also well accepted. A forestry area which has been partially privatized, retrenchments have risen as the need for manual labor has decreased. The SCLC (Southern Cape Land Committee), a SMI member, is working with those retrenched on how to use land to sustain themselves through permaculture, and with small business development as well as helping them to get tenure security.

The projects are going well and the women particularly are very proactive with home-based gardens and developing small businesses including hairdressing, sewing and knitting school uniforms and sports tracksuits, among other things.

There are also challenges, including:

• getting the full support of local government for home ownership of those in the area;
• creating a viable and sustainable community with clinics and other basic services;
• integrating the community into a broader municipality so they receive the same services;
• strengthening projects so people generate more profits, increasing their income;
• increased abuse against women as men respond negatively to the women being strengthened.

Lessons learned so far?
Development organizations, NGO’s and the State need to keep check on how to plan community empowerment and must keep a balance in the matters between men and women. The strong trend now is to favour women, but we can’t empower women without considering the aspirations of men and involving them. Gender equality is not only for women but involves a balance of power between men and women.

A Local View on Privatization

The “privatization” (privately run companies, often multi-national corporations) of services (eg forests, railways, electric companies, etc) is viewed very negatively by many South Africans and others in “developing” countries. Though it is seen to benefit government, people on the ground are often negatively impacted through unemployment, unsecure land tenure, etc.

Aligned with globalization and the opening of markets to improve trading, etc, these corporations are seen to care more about profits and the bottom line than for people and their social interests. Ultimately the view is that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, which seems to be the trend in many such countries.

Meet Nkuzi Development Association, an SMI Member

As our last leadership meeting was held in Polokwane, a town in the far north, our host was member Nkuzi Development Association. We invited Lucas Mufamadi, the Director of Nkuzi, to share about Nkuzi’s purpose and involvements. Started in the mid 1990’s in response to land struggles, they now also have branches in three other cities.

Lucas explained how the redistribution of land is slow and filled with challenges. Nkuzi’s desire is to ensure the land rights of people so they can return to the land. In 1994 the RDP (Reconstruction & Development Programme) stated 30% of the land was to be redistributed. In 1999 not even 2% had been reached. In 2007 it is said that 4% has been redistributed, but that may be skewed as some people are accepting payment in lieu of land so little progress is actually being made. The long term concern is that land redistribution needs to be fast tracked or South Africa faces the eventual risk of a response similar to Zimbabwe’s.

Viewing land in relation to agricultural development through government processes, he said communities need support when receiving land to work it effectively. Challenges include: 1) teaching people how to live and work together in this new environment so everyone benefits; 2) the need for a better, supportive infrastructure that includes electricity, schools, clinics, etc in these communities; and 3) ensuring that those who want to and can farm are involved.

It was pointed out that land cooperatives don’t seem to be working in South Africa. Due to our history and conditions under apartheid, people are not working together. Also, since people don’t actually own their own share of land, there is no built-in system of accountability or incentive in the current structures. People must be able to benefit from the land but it must also involve those who are truly interested in farming and using the land effectively.

Exchange visits between SMI and the Presbytery of the Western Reserve

SAMP has been busy with preparations leading up to the visit of SMI members Rev Christopher Saaiman, Rev Welile Sigabi and Mrs Mati Mathabatha to the Presbytery of the Western Reserve starting on September 28. The excitement is building and we are looking forward to times of sharing, learning and fellowshipping together. The schedule of events during their visit follows below.

At the same time, two representatives from SAMP are preparing for their visit to South Africa for the SMI Launch in Bhisho, Eastern Cape, on the 24-25 of October. Andy Jacob, the presbytery's Hunger Action Enabler and justice ministry staff person, along with SAMP co-chair, Susan Vlcek, will join SMI member representatives and invited guests from throughout the country as well as friends from Joining Hands Lesotho to officially introduce SMI to South Africa and beyond.

We invite you to meet the three SMI leaders while they are among us, September 28 through October 12, 2007.

Mrs. Mati Mathabatha comes from a Pedi speaking village in the northern province of Limpopo and is active with the Landless People's Movement.  O amogetswe, Mati!

Rev. Saaiman Christopher lives in the Western Cape town of Pacaltsdorp, where he serves a large UCC congregation. His mother tongue is Afrikaans.  Welkom, Dominee!

Rev. Welile Sigabi is a Methodist pastor and perma-culture expert from the Xhosa speaking Eastern Cape province. Wamkelekile, Umfundisi!