Land reform milestone marks victory for communities dispossessed under apartheid
Eastern Cape, May 5, 2025 — In a significant step toward restorative justice, Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on Friday hand over land title deeds to the Qelana and Qolombana communities, who were forcibly dispossessed of their land during apartheid.
The handover ceremony, to be held at Mabeleni Dam near Mthatha, represents a major milestone in South Africa’s ongoing land reform programme. As Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform and Agriculture, Mashatile is expected to highlight the importance of returning land to rightful owners as part of redressing historical injustices and promoting rural development.
“This is not just about land. It’s about restoring dignity, identity, and opportunity,” a government spokesperson noted ahead of the event.
The Qelana and Qolombana communities have long fought for the return of their ancestral land, and Friday’s handover is expected to be a moment of celebration, healing, and renewed hope for future generations.
This event comes amid increasing calls for accelerated land restitution and support for beneficiaries through infrastructure, training, and economic investment to ensure that land reform translates into tangible development.
