The changing face of land reform in post-apartheid South Africa

Progress towards reforming the legacy of apartheid on the land issue has been slow. A review of land reform - in particular the redistribution component of the programme - has led to a new initiative aimed at simulating the productive potential' of land reform. This shift in policy is underwritten by a new political alliance between 'white' agriculture and the Department of Agriculture, and Land Affairs aimed at deracialising commercial agriculture in South Africa. This article raises concerns over the historical precedent of this policy in the region and its potential for alleviating rural poverty.