South Africa finds itself at the center of an international controversy following the introduction of a new land law that allows for land expropriation without compensation under specific circumstances. Last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the contentious bill into law, aiming to address long-standing issues of land ownership that have deep historical roots. However, the legislation has drawn criticism from high-profile international figures, including U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, resulting in diplomatic tensions.
Land ownership in South Africa has been a divisive issue for over a century. The Natives Land Act of 1913 marked a significant turning point by restricting property rights of the black majority, leading to decades of forced removals to impoverished homelands and townships. By 2017, a government report noted that 72% of farmland was still owned by white individuals, who make up only 7.3% of the population according to the 2022 census. The legacy of apartheid, which ended 30 years ago, continues to influence the socio-economic landscape despite the advent of democracy in 1994 with Nelson Mandela as the country's first democratically elected president.
President Ramaphosa's recent legislation seeks to rectify these historical injustices by permitting land expropriation without compensation when it is deemed "just and equitable and in the public interest." However, critics fear similarities to Zimbabwe's land seizures, which reportedly devastated its economy and deterred foreign investment. Concerns have been amplified by international figures who question the implications of the new law.
US President Donald Trump voiced strong opposition, threatening economic repercussions for South Africa.
"I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!" – Donald Trump
He further elaborated on his standpoint, indicating ongoing investigations into South Africa’s actions.
"So that's under investigation right now. We'll make a determination, and until such time as we find out what South Africa is doing — they're taking away land and confiscating land, and actually they're doing things that are perhaps far worse than that." – Donald Trump
Elon Musk also criticized the policy, questioning the fairness of what he described as "openly racist ownership laws."
In response, President Ramaphosa has consistently defended the new law. He emphasized that no land has been confiscated under these provisions and reassured that the legislation aligns with South Africa's constitutional values.
"reiterated South Africa's constitutionally embedded values of the respect for the rule of law, justice, fairness and equality" – Cyril Ramaphosa
Ramaphosa's administration maintains that the law is a necessary step towards addressing historical land dispossession and achieving economic equity.
The dispute over land ownership has sparked a diplomatic row between South Africa and the new US administration. While tensions remain high, both sides are urged to engage in dialogue to reach a mutual understanding and avoid potential economic fallout.