Government to release 2.5 million hectares of state land to black farmers, SA questions decision

• President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the release of state-owned land to black farmers with title deeds through a national strategy
• The move targets South Africa's agricultural inequality, where black farmers account for only around 10% of commercial farming output
• South Africans raised questions about how beneficiaries were selected, with some accusing the government of favouring cadres

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.

GAUTENG — President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that approximately 2.5 million hectares of state-owned land are being made available to black farmers across the country.

The President made the announcement on Monday, 12 October 2026, adding that title deeds will be issued to beneficiaries under the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy. The announcement was made via Ramaphosa's official X account, accompanied by a communiqué marked "From the Desk of the President."

South Africa's agricultural inequality

The president acknowledged a persistent divide in the country's farming sector, describing what he called "two agricultures."

He stated that predominantly white-owned commercial farms produce the bulk of South Africa's commercial agricultural output, while black farmers contribute only around 10%. Ramaphosa described this reliance on a narrow segment of the population as unsustainable given the country's growing food demand.

"The first step in building a new generation of South African farmers is providing them with titled access to land.

"Through the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy, we are releasing approximately 2.5 million hectares of state-owned land in various parts of the country to black farmers and providing them with title deeds," the President said.

Beyond land, Ramaphosa emphasised that emerging farmers also need capital, skills, and mentorship. He cited the Land Bank's Blended Finance Scheme, which combines government grant funding with loan finance, as a tool to prevent black farmers from remaining trapped at subsistence level.

Commercial banks have joined the programme over the years, and Ramaphosa called on more agribusinesses and lenders to participate.

How did South Africans react?

The announcement drew immediate scrutiny on X, with several users questioning the selection process for beneficiaries.

@NoSpinZA asked:

"Who are these black farmers receiving title deeds, and how were they selected? Publish the list and the criteria."

@RSA_Xenophobe alleged:

"95% of the beneficiaries are ANC-affiliated people."

@b_nginkosiNkosi wrote:

"You are releasing them to the cadres."

@nosmoke567 added:

"And what do you know, just before the elections."

@NeverCaredfo asked:

"With all due respect, how did you choose them?"

@kingkabazaetou1 simply questioned:

"Why now, though?"

Other stories about the land issue in South Africa

• In 2022, the African National Congress planned to ask farmers to donate some of their land to facilitate land reform and redistribution.
• President Ramaphosa made assurances about the contentious Land Expropriation Bill in Parliament in 2023.
• Theo de Jager, leader of the SAAI, pleaded with Donald Trump not to exclude struggling black farmers from his foreign policies.

Source: Briefly News

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