Land and Liberation: Lessons for the Creation of Effective Land Reform Policy in South Africa

Authors

Hasani Claxton, Columbia University School of Law

Abstract

Based upon the premise that land reform is essential to creating socio-economic equality, easing racial tensions and stemming the tide of violence in South Africa, this note will provide suggestions for effective land reform policy. To accomplish this, this Note will examine the paths taken by several other transitional African governments in land reform policy. It will attempt to extract practical lessons from their experiences and apply them towards the development of effective land redistribution policy in South Africa. Part I of this note will provide a historical overview of colonialism and land law in Africa. Part II will examine the postcolonial land reform policy in Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe and part III will attempt to extract lessons from the experiences in these countries. Part IV will seek to apply these lessons towards the development of effective land reform policy in South Africa. Finally, Part V will again stress the need for land reform as a means of creating economic equity and racial harmony.

Recommended Citation

Hasani Claxton, Land and Liberation: Lessons for the Creation of Effective Land Reform Policy in South Africa, 8 Mich. J. Race & L. 529 (2003).
Available at: https://repository.law.umich.edu/mjrl/vol8/iss2/6