Mzwanele Nyhontso, the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, officially handed over title deeds to the Richtersveld Communal Property Association (CPA) on 28 August.
By Maile Matsimela, Digital Editor at African Farming
The ceremony, held in Alexander Bay, was attended by senior government officials and community leaders, symbolising the restoration of land to its rightful custodians.
The historic handover was witnessed by a distinguished delegation, including Bentley Vass (acting Premier of the Northern Cape); Mase Manopole (MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform), Cllr Mervin Cloete (Executive Mayor of the Namakwa District Municipality); and Cllr C. Knoph (Mayor of the Richtersveld Local Municipality).
Minister Emphasises Cultural And Historical Significance
Delivering his address, Minister Nyhontso said, “The Richtersveld is not just a place on the map. It is a people, a culture and a history. For too long, your land was taken, your rights ignored and your dignity denied. Today, we restore what was unjustly stolen.”
Northern Cape acting Premier Bentley Vass used the occasion to highlight critical systemic issues affecting land redistribution across the province. He emphasised the importance of ensuring that land transfers reach rightful beneficiaries, ending destructive power struggles between municipalities and CPAs, and maintaining administrative independence from political interference.
These remarks point to ongoing challenges in the broader land reform programme and the need for sustainable implementation strategies.
MEC Describes Event as ‘Act of Justice’
MEC Manopole framed the handover as both a fulfilment of justice and a catalyst for transformation. “Today’s celebration is more than a legal process, it is an act of justice, a bridge to inclusive growth and a reaffirmation of one of the most sacred commitments of our democracy: the return of land to its rightful custodians,” she declared.
Beyond Land: Restoring Dignity and Building Futures
The significance of this handover extends far beyond the legal transfer of property rights. Officials emphasised that the ceremony represents restoration of dignity to the Richtersveld community, community empowerment through land ownership, a foundation for sustainable livelihoods and economic development, enhanced food security for future generations and inclusive growth opportunities for the region.
The land handover ceremony in Alexander Bay marked only the beginning of the official programme. On Day 2 (29 August) the delegation travelled to Springbok in the Nama Khoi Local Municipality, where the land reform celebration continued, demonstrating the government’s commitment to addressing land issues across multiple communities in the Northern Cape.
