South Africa’s land reform conversation has long been defined by urgency, emotion and political tension. Yet as the country continues to grapple with deep structural inequality, a more pressing question is emerging: What does working land reform actually look like in practice?
By Talitha Janse van Vuuren, multimedia editor at African Farming
Recent discussions among agricultural economists, policymakers and industry stakeholders point to a necessary shift – from debating whether reform is needed to focusing on how it can be implemented effectively and sustainably.
Inequality is Bigger than Land
One of the most important insights raised in recent engagements is that inequality in South Africa cannot be reduced to land ownership alone.
“Inequality is not an agricultural problem or a land problem. It’s a South African problem,” said Gerrit van Vuuren, founder and strategic adviser of Partners in Agri Land Solutions (PALS), during a lecture on land reform and policy.
This distinction matters. Although land reform is often positioned as the primary tool for redressing historical injustice, the reality is more complex. Access to land without access to capital, markets, skills and networks does little to change outcomes.
In many cases, this has resulted in reform efforts that transfer ownership but fail to establish sustainable farming enterprises.
The Missing Middle: From Access to Viability
South Africa has made progress in transferring land, but not enough in ensuring that new farmers can operate viable businesses.
The real challenge lies in what many in the sector describe as the “missing middle” – the gap between land access and commercial success.
For new-era farmers, barriers remain significant:
- Limited access to finance;
- Lack of generational capital or collateral;
- Weak integration into formal markets; and
- Insufficient technical and business support.
Even skilled farmers struggle to access funding because of traditional lending requirements such as security, their personal contribution and repayment ability – conditions that exclude many historically disadvantaged producers.
Also read: WATCH | The PALS partnership model that’s solving South Africa’s land reform challenge
Finance: The Critical Bottleneck
Access to finance remains one of the most decisive factors in determining whether land reform succeeds or fails.
Blended finance – combining government support with commercial lending – has been identified as a practical solution. However, slow implementation, limited institutional participation and administrative delays continue to undermine its potential.
In some cases, projects collapse before they begin because of prolonged approval processes, despite significant upfront investment in planning and preparation.
This highlights a broader systemic issue – reform is not failing because of a lack of ideas, but because of weak execution.
A Shift Towards Partnership Models
Another key shift in the land reform conversation is the move towards collaboration.
Rather than relying on a single approach, successful initiatives increasingly depend on flexible, case-by-case models. As Van Vuuren explained, “The process is not one size fits all… The concept stays the same, but the variables change almost every time.”
These approaches include:
- Joint ventures between experienced and emerging farmers;
- Shared-risk financing structures;
- Mentorship and skills transfer; and
- Market-linked production systems.
Although not without challenges, these models represent a move towards practical, outcome-driven reform.
The Reality: Progress is Incremental
A sobering but important reality is that progress is often driven by a relatively small group of willing participants.
According to Van Vuuren, meaningful change tends to come from 5% to 10% of stakeholders who are prepared to think beyond immediate self-interest.
Although this may seem limited, it also presents an opportunity – successful examples can build momentum, demonstrate viability and gradually influence broader participation.
Also read: It is regrettable that land reform was not mentioned as a priority area in the SONA
Practical steps forward
If land reform is to move from policy to impact, several priorities stand out:
- 1. Fix implementation bottlenecks
Speed up funding approvals and expand participation of financial institutions. - 2. Focus on viability, not just transfer
Every project must include a clear business model, market access and operational support. - 3. Expand financing tools
Develop accessible funding options, including blended finance, patient capital and shared-risk models. - 4. Strengthen skills and mentorship
Provide ongoing technical, financial and management support. - 5. Build inclusive value chains
Ensure emerging farmers are integrated into formal markets.
Beyond Ideology
Land reform in South Africa cannot succeed through ideology alone. It requires coordinated, practical action across government, finance, agriculture and communities.
The conversation is shifting – from debate to delivery, from ownership to productivity, and from division to collaboration.
Because without viability, reform remains symbolic. And without implementation, inequality remains unchanged.
Also read:
Land reform gets second chance: WIPHOLD’s plan to resurrect Zebediela Citrus Farm
Land reform – the path towards equitable development
Minister praises PALS for bold stand on land reform and farmer support
