The Department of Land Reform and Rural Development has withdrawn the advertisement of the 1 047-hectare Zandfontein farm in the Free State.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
Piet Mothepu, head of the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa’s (AFASA) Land Reform Committee, said the organisation welcomed the decision. “This follows constructive engagements between AFASA, the Department, and all affected parties,” Mothepu said in a statement.
The development follows concerns previously raised by AFASA over the proposed allocation of Zandfontein farm and its call for the government to intervene in the matter.
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The department’s withdrawal notice covers Portion 0 of the remaining extent of Zandfontein No. 382 as well as portions 2, 3 and 4. The property falls within the Viljoenskroon Registration Division in the Moqhaka Local Municipality in the Free State.
The farm measures 1 047.2694 ha, comprising 900 ha of arable land, 105 ha of grazing land and 42.2694 ha classified as waste land. It was advertised for crop farming and targeted a category 3 lessee, which the department defines as having an annual turnover of between R1 million and R10 million.
While AFASA has welcomed the withdrawal, the department has not yet indicated what will happen to the property next. Its notice states only that the advertisement has been withdrawn “until further notice”.
“AFASA remains committed to working with government and stakeholders to find lasting solutions to all land-related matters in the interest of farmers and communities,” Mothepu said.
The withdrawal effectively brings the current advertisement process to an end, while the longer-term future of Zandfontein farm remains to be determined.
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