South Africa: The Land And The Fury

The Land and the Fury South Africa In 1652, the Dutch arrived on the shores of modern-day South Africa, followed by the British, setting off centuries of indigenous Blacks being forcibly displaced from their land. By the early 1990s, White South African landowners made up 7 percent of the population yet held 93 percent of the land. Then, in 1994, Apartheid collapsed. Soon after, restrictions were lifted on Black and other non-White South Africans from owning land, as well as those rules that dictated where they could live and what employment they could choose. That was because the African National Congress led by Nelson Mandela came to power after Blacks won the right to vote. And one of the first things the new government did was to set a target of redistributing 30 percent of the agricultural land within five years to address the country’s legacy of colonialism and Apartheid. However, South Africa has missed that target, year after year, because of political disagreements, patronage, bureaucracy, a lack of data, and corruption. The government is now aiming to meet it by 2030. To do so, the country passed a law called the Expropriation Act 13 of 2024 that repealed an Apartheid-era land law. The new law defines how land appropriations for “a public purpose” or “in the public interest” are to be compensated. It also allows for a limited number of cases where land expropriation would not be compensated. While the land issue has long been controversial in South Africa, the new law set off a firestorm in the US: “South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY,” US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that the measure was “a massive Human Rights VIOLATION.” Trump cut aid for the country, which includes the world’s largest HIV treatment program. He announced that Afrikaners, only one part of the White minority, could get refugee status as persecuted individuals. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced he would boycott the G20 meeting in South Africa scheduled for later this month. And Elon Musk, a South-African-born advisor to Trump, called the new law “racist.” South African politicians on both sides of the debate reacted with outrage, saying that US officials are mischaracterizing the new law. “South Africa is a constitutional democracy that is deeply rooted in the rule of law, justice, and equality,” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa wrote on X. “The South African government has not confiscated any land.” He noted that the US funded about 17 percent of South Africa’s HIV/AIDS program and that there was “no other significant funding” from the United States. He added that the country would not be “bullied.” Opponents of the law, such as the center-right Democratic Alliance (DA) party, said Trump’s characterization of the new law was “unfortunate.” “It would be a tragedy if this funding were terminated because of a misunderstanding of the facts,” the DA, part of the governing coalition, said in a statement. “It is not true that the Act allows land to be seized by the state arbitrarily.” Opposition parties such as the right-wing, pro-Afrikaner Freedom Front Plus party and ActionSA say they will take the matter to court because they believe it is unconstitutional. Many opponents say they fear its economic impact – that it will dampen the foreign investment South Africa needs. “While other parties assert that this bill does not compromise the ‘willing buyer, willing seller doctrine,’ it ultimately allows the government to unilaterally set the price if an agreement cannot be reached,” said ActionSA in a statement. Meanwhile, lawyers in South Africa pointed out this new law was not directed at land reform – although it could be used for it – but at infrastructure projects such as highways or dams, similar to how eminent domain rules work in the US. South African law professor Zsa-Zsa Temmers Boggenpoel of Stellenbosch University said the new law isn’t perfect, but South Africa needs to move forward. “I am not convinced that the act, in its current form, is the silver bullet to effect large-scale land reform – at least not the type of radical land reform that South Africa urgently needs, Boggenpoel wrote in the Conversation. “Understandably, the act will have a severe impact on property rights. But it still substantially protects landowners affected by expropriation.” “This has become a matter of increasing urgency,” she added, “South Africans have expressed impatience with the slow pace of land reform.” Political analyst Melanie Verwoerd, a former South African lawmaker and diplomat, says that the debate outside of South Africa has misrepresented the issue. She explained that for the past 30 years, the state has bought land from landowners at or above market value. “The fact is, South Africa has not expropriated any private land since the dawn of its democracy,” she wrote in an opinion piece in Bloomberg. “Given the country’s history, nothing would have been easier – and frankly more popular – than for the ANC government to have forcefully expropriated large tracts of land from White owners without compensation. Yet, it chose not to.”

Democratic Republic Of Congo: "Smoke and Mirrors"

Smoke and Mirrors Democratic Republic of the Congo The Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group on Wednesday broke a ceasefire implemented only days earlier in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and advanced toward another key town in the mineral-rich eastern part of the country, the Associated Press reported. Officials reported heavy fighting on the main road from Goma, which the rebels captured last week, to Bukavu, the capital of the South Kivu province. They took the town of Nyabibwe, which lies about 60 miles away from Bukavu, on that route. On Monday, the rebels announced a ceasefire to allow aid to reach Goma, the capital of North Kivu region, where hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes because of the fighting. After declaring the ceasefire, they announced they had no interest in capturing Bukavu, Reuters reported. Even so, the rebels said they would march south to take the capital, Kinshasa. Meanwhile, the DRC government said the rebels were facing “fierce resistance” from the military around Nyabibwe. They also blamed Rwanda for the resumption of hostilities. The Rwandan Defence Force/ M23 unilateral ceasefire “was nothing but a Rwandan lie,” Congolese officials said. Also, Congolese authorities on Wednesday issued an international arrest warrant for Corneille Nangaa, one of the M23 political leaders, who is Conglose. International Criminal Court prosecutors also began an investigation into possible humanitarian crimes being committed in the DRC. Rwanda, which is backing the M23 with some 4,000 troops, aims to take control of the eastern DRC for access to its mineral wealth, worth trillions of dollars. The rebels had already controlled some mines in the region. Rwanda’s government, however, denies those claims, saying instead that its actions are in defense of Tutsis in the eastern DRC. During the Rwandan genocide in 1994, almost a million Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed by Hutu extremists, who later fled to the DRC. About 3,000 people have been killed in the rebel advance, officials said, while hundreds of thousands have been displaced in a region that had already hosted more than 6 million people displaced over the past decade by the ongoing conflict in the DRC. Goma is also currently grappling with shortages of food, electricity, and water.

Five Nigerian Men Sentenced To Death For Murdering A Woman

Wicked Nigeria Five Nigerian men who murdered a woman they accused of witchcraft were sentenced to death by hanging in the northern state of Kano this week, underscoring how traditional beliefs continue to clash with modern Nigeria, the BBC reported. The five men had been accused of attacking Dahare Abubakar, 67, on her farm in 2023, beating and stabbing her to death, after the wife of one of the suspects had a dream in which the deceased was pursuing her. They were apprehended soon after. This case riveted Nigeria, where in rural areas, the persecution or killing of an individual because they are suspected of witchcraft is still a common occurrence. Often, attacks arise after an individual blames another for using witchcraft to cause their misfortune, for example, an illness or a death in the family. Belief in witchcraft is widespread across Africa. However, in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, and South Africa, elderly people are often accused of being witches as a pretext for killing them and seizing their land, the BBC reported last year. In countries like Nigeria, activists are working to put an end to such accusations and help protect the accused. Meanwhile, even as prosecutors hoped the verdict would serve as a deterrent, the lawyer for the perpetrators said they would appeal. Share this story

Rwanda Captures The Most Strategic Goma Region Containing Billions of Dollars Of Rare Earths From Congo

Here, Again Democratic Republic of the Congo For years, the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have set their sights on capturing Goma – the strategic hub of a region in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – that holds trillions of dollars of untapped mineral wealth. Then last week, in a lightning advance, they did it, with help from thousands of Rwandan soldiers, as resistance from the army, United Nations soldiers, and mercenaries melted away. Now, the rebels are eyeing the entire country even as they declared a ceasefire Tuesday for “humanitarian” reasons. “We want to go to Kinshasa, take power, and lead the country,” said Corneille Nangaa, a leader of the self-described “people’s army” of M23, who is a former Congolese election official in the DRC, and sanctioned by the US for “undermining democracy.” Offering the leaders of the Congo “a dialogue,” he said the group wants to bring “peace.” Congo’s defense minister, Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita, scoffed at the offer. “We will stay here in Congo and fight,” he said. “If we do not stay alive here, let’s stay dead here.” Once again, analysts say, the region is on the edge of a full-blown conflict, one that could engulf the DRC, Rwanda, Uganda, and possibly South Africa and Burundi. Still, they aren’t surprised. “The warning signs were always there, said Murithi Mutiga of the Crisis Group. “(Rwanda) was adopting very bellicose rhetoric and the Congolese government was also adopting very, very aggressive rhetoric.” The roots of the conflict date back to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, in which almost a million Tutsis and Hutu moderates were killed by Hutu extremists. Tutsi rebels, led by current Rwandan President Paul Kagame, stopped the killing and pushed the Hutu perpetrators across the border into the DRC. Now, Kagame says that he wants to protect ethnic Tutsis in Congo and protect his country from the other rebel groups in the DRC. More than 100 armed groups operate in the country, vying for control of the east which holds vast mineral deposits worth $24 trillion such as lithium, rare earth minerals, and others that are critical to the world’s tech gadgets. One group, known as the FDLR, whose members include alleged perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide, “is fully integrated into” the Congolese military, Kagame said, something the DRC denies. Still, Kagame has long denied supporting the M23 rebel group. However, the US, the UN, and others say it is actively involved, dreaming of creating a “Greater Rwanda.” The UN says Rwanda uses the group to extract Congo’s minerals. In August, a ceasefire – now moot – took effect between Congo and Rwanda to end a war that has killed 6 million, mainly through hunger and disease. However, Congo’s president, Felix Tshisekedi, has long rejected talks with M23 as Kagame has wanted. Instead, the Congolese are furious that the West hasn’t intervened. But Rwanda has outsized clout with the international community because it has long been seen as a model of democratic governance and economic management in the region, a reputation not necessarily deserved over the past few years. Meanwhile, regional heavyweight South Africa has been drawn into the fray. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa last week blamed Rwanda for the deaths of 13 South African peacekeepers in eastern Congo. Kagame responded that those peacekeepers made up a “belligerent force.” “If South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will deal with the matter in that context any day,” the Rwandan leader said. Caught in the middle, meanwhile, are millions of Congolese, tired from almost three decades of conflict, tired of being uprooted from their homes and pushed from one refugee camp to another, tired of the carnage. On the ground, the conditions in Goma are dire, say humanitarian officials. The city remains largely without food, electricity, and water after its capture by the rebels. More than 900 people were killed in last week’s takeover of Goma. Witnesses said bodies lay on the streets and UN officials reported gang rapes and executions. Goma has served as a center for more than 6 million people displaced by the ongoing conflict in the DRC. About 700,000 people have been displaced again by the new fighting, the UN said. Now, residents in the eastern city of Bukavu are terrified: The rebels are said to be advancing their way even as Goma’s residents try to cope. “We have nothing left to eat … my shop has been looted – I curse this war,” Adeline Tuma, who lives in Goma with her four children, told the Guardian. “A new, grim chapter of our lives begins.”

The Truth About South Africa's Land Expropriation Act

A Big Stick South Africa South Africa on Monday rejected accusations by US President Donald Trump over a newly adopted land confiscation policy, after the American leader threatened to cut off aid to the country over the issue, Reuters reported. The dispute stems from a new land expropriation law that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed last month. Under the law, authorities will be allowed to take land for “a public purpose or in the public interest.” Special conditions must be met before land can be expropriated, such as whether it has longtime informal occupants, whether and how it is being unused, if it is held purely for speculation, or if it is abandoned. Officials said the legislation is aimed at addressing the racial disparities in land ownership that persist three decades after the policy of Apartheid ended in 1994. But over the weekend, Trump claimed that South Africa is “confiscating land” and “certain classes of people” were being mistreated, describing it as a “massive human rights violation.” He said he would cut off all future funding to the African nation until “a full investigation of this situation has been completed!” Ramaphosa and other officials countered that the government has not confiscated any land while urging the US president to engage in dialogue to have a better understanding of the issue. He also played down the slashing of aid, noting that US funding accounted for 17 percent of South Africa’s HIV/ AIDS program and that there was “no other significant funding” from the United States. In 2023, the US committed roughly $440 million in aid to South Africa, with the majority of the amount going to counter HIV/ AIDS. Even so, the controversy brought to the forefront the issue of land reform in South Africa, where it remains a very politically charged topic. For decades, the country has tried to address the legacy of colonial and apartheid eras that led to Black South Africans being dispossessed of their lands and denied property rights. Ramaphosa’s coalition partners objected to the signing of the bill, with some warning that it threatens private ownership, according to the BBC. South African-born billionaire and Trump ally, Elon Musk, also waded into the matter by describing the new laws as “openly racist,” a charge South African officials dismissed.

South Africa Strikes Back!

Ramaphosa responds to Trump’s land-confiscation claims, says he looks forward to bilateral engagement US President Donald Trump US President Donald Trump 3rd February 2025 By: Terence Creamer Creamer Media Editor ARTICLE ENQUIRY SAVE THIS ARTICLE EMAIL THIS ARTICLE Font size: -+ Listen to this article 3 min South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a swift response to US President Donald Trump’s threat that aid from that country could be withdrawn, owing to his view that South Africa’s recently enacted Expropriation Act is leading to the confiscation of land. Following Trump’s comments, which were made initially on his Truth Social account and later reinforced in a brief television interview, the Presidency said the government had not confiscated any land. Advertisement It also underlined South Africa’s status as a “constitutional democracy that is deeply rooted in the rule of law, justice and equality”. In the Truth Social post, Trump said: “South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY. It is a bad situation that the Radical Left Media doesn’t want to so much as mention. A massive Human Rights VIOLATION, at a minimum, is happening for all to see. The United States won’t stand for it, we will act. Also, I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!” Advertisement Then, in an impromptu interview regarding the possibility of cutting aid to other African countries, Trump indicated that his attention was solely on South Africa. “No, it’s only South Africa. Terrible things are happening in South Africa. The leadership is doing some terrible things, horrible things. So, that’s under investigation right now. We will make a determination [once] we find out what South Africa is doing. He went on to say: “They’re taking away land, they’re confiscating land and actually they’re doing things that are perhaps far worse than that.” Trump’s warnings came amid a flurry of recent executive actions affecting foreign relations, including the announced imposition of 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports and an additional 10% on Chinese imports. Ramaphosa stressed that the country’s recently adopted Expropriation Act was not a confiscation instrument, but a constitutionally mandated legal process that ensured public access to land “in an equitable and just manner as guided by the Constitution”. “South Africa, like the United States of America and other countries, has always had expropriation laws that balance the need for public usage of land and the protection of rights of property owners.” Ramaphosa said South Africa looked forward “to engaging with the Trump administration over its land reform policy and issues of bilateral interest”, and expressed optimism that these meetings would result in a better and common understanding. It also stressed that the US remained a key strategic political and trade partner for South Africa. “With the exception of PEPFAR Aid, which constitutes 17% of South Africa’s HIV/Aids programme, there is no other significant funding that is provided by the United States in South Africa,” it added. After Ramaphosa posted his response on X, Elon Musk, who grew up in South Africa and who has voiced his opposition to both the Expropriation Act and South Africa’s black economic empowerment policies, posted the following on the platform that he also owns: “Why do you have openly racist ownership laws?” Musk is also heading Trump’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency, and has called for the closure of the US Agency for International Development , which is the implementing agency for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR. Later this year, South Africa will host the G20 meeting in Johannesburg and will be handing over the presidency to the US. There is currently still an expectation that President Trump will attend the meeting. EMAIL THIS ARTICLE SAVE THIS ARTICLEARTICLE ENQUI

The Nine Priciest Suburbs In Cape Town

Nine of Cape Town’s priciest suburbs With properties priced as high as R180 million, Cape Town is home to some of South Africa’s most elite and costly suburbs. Here’s a glimpse… By Sundeeka Mungroo 23-01-25 20:15 in Featured Cape Town Where are the most expensive places to live in Cape Town? Image: canva Cape Town’s property market features some of the most exclusive and high-end suburbs in Africa. According to Business Tech, an analysis by the Seeff Property Group revealed that most of the country’s priciest suburbs are in Cape Town, with houses there being sold for up to R150 million. Currently, as per recent listings on Pam Golding Properties, property prices have topped even that! Take a look at some of the most expensive suburbs in Cape Town (at the time of writing): 1. Clifton suburbs cape town Clifton, Cape Town. Image: canva Current highest listing: R160 million Perched on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard, Clifton offers luxurious homes and apartments that cater to the elite. The area even sells parking bays for over R1 million, underscoring the premium placed on location here. 2. Bantry Bay suburbs cape town Bantry Bay, Cape Town. Image: canva Current highest listing: R103.5 million Adjacent to Clifton, Bantry Bay is another Atlantic Seaboard gem. Its wind-free location, modern architectural designs, and unobstructed ocean views attract local and international buyers. Homes here often boast infinity pools and cutting-edge smart technology. 3. Llandudno Llandudno, Cape Town. Image: canva Current highest listing: R48 million Llandudno offers a more secluded feel while maintaining a strong sense of exclusivity. With no commercial activity permitted, this suburb is perfect for those seeking privacy. Properties here often sit on large plots with direct beach access, making it a paradise for homeowners. 4. Bishopscourt suburbs cape town Property in Bishopscourt, Cape Town. Image: canva Current highest listing: R70 million Nestled in Cape Town’s leafy Southern Suburbs, Bishopscourt is known for its spacious properties and lush gardens. Many homes here have panoramic mountain views and are close to prestigious schools, making it a popular choice for families. 5. Higgovale Higgovale and surrounding suburbs from above. Image: Wikimedia Commons Current highest listing: R56 million Situated on the slopes of Table Mountain, Higgovale is part of Cape Town’s City Bowl. Residents enjoy easy access to the city center while still benefiting from the tranquility of a suburban lifestyle. The unique blend of natural beauty and modern design makes it a sought-after location. 6. V&A Waterfront V&A Waterfront Marina. Image: canva Current highest listing: R57.5 million The V&A Waterfront Marina offers luxury apartments in a secure, vibrant environment. With designer boutiques, fine dining, and a marina at your doorstep, this area is a favourite among investors and international buyers. 7. Fresnaye suburbs cape town Cyril Ramaphosa’s Fresnaye mansion. Image from Twitter@@VusiSambo Current highest listing: R180 million Set against the slopes of Lion’s Head, Fresnaye offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Fresnaye is also where South African president Cyril Ramaphosa calls home. 8. Camps Bay Camps Bay, Cape Town. Image: canva Current highest listing: R85 million Camps Bay is synonymous with beachfront luxury. Known for its lively atmosphere, restaurants, and iconic beach, the suburb is a magnet for wealthy individuals looking for a property that balances style and accessibility. 9. Constantia Upper Constantia, Cape Town. Image: canva Current highest listing: R65 million Constantia Upper is renowned for its wine estates and historical charm. With large properties surrounded by lush greenery, it offers a serene escape from city life while still being close to Cape Town’s amenities. Tags: Cape Town DMumani featured Important South Africa Post navigation Next Article Previous Article Trump Orders US Secretary of State to "Closely Study" South African Farm Seizures - SA People Murder of Young Couple in South Africa, Stranded on Side of Road - SA People Prostate Health | Sponsored by Taboola Enlarged Prostate Has Nothing To Do With Age: Just Stop Doing This One Common Thing! Oscar Pistorius: Social media reacts to his first public appearance - SAPeople - Worldwide South African News Hitman shares chilling account of how they kill people: 'R40k a job' SkipDiscoverRead More Seniors Born 1941-1979 Receive 55 Benefits This Month if They Ask WalletJump | Sponsored Enlarged Prostate? 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