The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) will be presenting its submission in support of the 18th Constitution Amendment Bill to Parliament tomorrow, Tuesday, 23 March 2021 during the virtual public hearings.

The 18th Constitution Amendment Bill will be a key tool that will capacitate government to accelerate land reform.  The essence of this Bill is that government may use expropriation and when relevant, expropriation without compensation, to support land reform.

This is critical as South Africa remains one of the world’s most unequal nations.  We have failed collectively to deal with the legacies of colonialism and apartheid.  Land ownership remains overwhelmingly skewed towards white men.  Millions of largely African, Coloured and women South Africans remain landless.  This is condemning millions to living in informal areas, backyard dwellings in our cities and towns.  It is denying millions of rural residents and farm workers the opportunities to till land and contribute to food security and reduce unemployment.

This Bill will capacitate government speed up land reform.  It will end the days of land reform being held to ransom by exorbitant compensations demands.  It will remove the need to compensate Apartheid era expropriations.

The Bill equally protects the rights of ordinary workers and South Africans from potential abuses.  It states clearly how expropriation must be managed and when nil compensation may be utilised.  It provides for legal recourse for all parties.  The Bill is progressive and in line with the Constitution and international norms.  It provides a just and equitable balance and ensures the needs of workers are respected.

COSATU supports this long overdue Bill and urges Parliament to prioritise its passage.

For further information please contact: Matthew Parks COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator-Cell: 082 785 0687

Email: matthew@cosatu.org.za