Examines the experience of land reform in Namibia over the past decade and how this might develop in the coming decade. Little progress has been made but developments in Zimbabwe have hugely increased interest and awareness. Discusses political and ethnic challenges, environmental constraints, institutional tensions, redistribution of commercial farms, SWAPO’s Land Reform Policy, the Affirmative Action Loan Scheme, the resettlement programme, land tenure reform in the Communal Areas, and problems of institutional capacity.

Contains background to the National Land Policy workshop, emergence of the Policy, full details of the workshop, the Oxfam presentation, summary of the outstanding points in the Policy, key points raised in the plenary, feedback from the working groups, recommendations of the workshop, reflections, and an appendix containing the conclusion of the draft Policy

Introduction and background, by Julian Quan (DFID); Piloting local administration of records in Ekuthuleni, KwaZulu-Natal, by Donna Hornby (AFRA, South Africa); Ivory Coast’s Plan Foncier Rural: lessons from a pilot project to register customary rights, by Camilla Toulmin (IIED); Customary land identification and recording in Mozambique, by Chris Tanner; Supporting local rights: will the centre let go? reflections from Uganda and Tanzania, by Patrick McAuslan (Birkbeck College, London); Local strategies for securing rights in land – experience from the Sahel (Niger), by Christian Lund (University of Roskilde, Denmark); closing discussion and findings; list of participants.

Includes background to the National Land Policy workshop, discussions with civil society, and key issues arising during the workshop (the role of chiefs, the sale of customary land, and the sale of land to foreigners). Contains what next? and a postscript on the Ministry of Lands’ assessment and position one month after the workshop.

5 Annexes to Report of the LRNSA Interim Steering Committee meeting in Harare: agenda; networking activities undertaken by IUCN’s regional policy programme; by the SARIPS land programme; by the Mwengo land project; and under the CBNRM network.

Report of the Interim Steering Committee meeting of the Land Rights Network of Southern Africa in Harare. Contains summary of outcomes, background and objectives, progress report, network establishment, operationalising the network, planning the sub-regional conference, fundraising, next steps.

Gives details on a province by province basis of the number of farm workers resettled in the current fast track resettlement programme in Zimbabwe. Argues that farm workers need to be considered in this programme and the Farm Community Trust is closely monitoring the situation with this in mind.

Looks at the problems of creating a stratum of black commercial farmers in South Africa in the light of historical experiences in Kenya and Zimbabwe. Argues that this will be a daunting challenge since apartheid tried to destroy black commercial farmers. The double challenge will be to unlock historical structural constraints within the agrarian economy and to reorient the current macro-economic climate to be more responsive to the needs of small-scale black farmers.

Official report of the East African LANDNET Africa meeting held in Kenya in August 2000. Summarises welcoming remarks, the keynote address by H.W.O. Okoth-Ogendo, and thematic presentations on women’s land rights in eastern Africa, common property networking at the global level, and land tenure networking issues in Rwanda. Also sub-regional LANDNET Africa updates, and country land tenure networking updates from Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya, plus identification of priority issues and future plans. Lists addresses of participants and the workshop programme.

A one page briefing for the World Bank (and IMF) AGMs in Prague September 2000 ‘to help journalists, decision-makers and civil society better understand the criticisms levelled against the World Bank.’ Argues that civil society is highly critical of the World Bank’s chequered history on land reform, which has combined arrogance and ignorance, an unwillingness to listen or to look critically at alleged successes such as Thailand or Kenya. New market assisted land reforms have failed to address political realities or power relations on the ground.

Examines the impact of the recent farm invasions in Zimbabwe. The independence compromises forced on Zimbabwe (and Namibia and South Africa) implied the legitimation of a century and more of past white land grabbing which could only be changed with the consent of the beneficiaries of this past expropriation. But Mugabe has now torn up the old rules of the game and let the genie of redistribution out of the bottle, earning himself much popular support elsewhere in Africa and causing alarm to many governments and a hasty revision of existing plans for land reform. The likely continuation of Mugabe’s brand of redistribution confronts donors with the difficult challenge of whether to walk away or re-engage under the new rules.

Speech in Civil Society Intervention in the Constitutional Process Project. Covers a necessary historical summary; colonial legacy; social representation of land and systems of utilization; new legislation, old practices, new conflicts; some conflict cases; conclusion.

Statement of principles adopted at NLC policy summit in June 2000 on the above subjects plus cross cutting issues.

Report of a workshop at the LSE. Contains list of participants, outline of the workshop and discussion notes by Gavin Capps, report on the workshop by Simon Batterbury, and remarks prepared for the workshop by Abie Ditlhake (South African NGO Coalition). The workshop aimed to grasp recent changes in land policy in South Africa and enable activists and analysts to take stock and discuss responses. Includes discussion of paper by Ruth Hall and Gavin Williams and presentation by Ben Cousins.

Examines the current wave of land tenure reform in Eastern and Southern Africa. Discusses how far tenure reform reflects a shift in powers over property from centre to periphery. A central question is whether tenure reform is designed to deliver to rural smallholders greater security of tenure and greater control over the regulation and transfer of these rights.

A summary of a larger study. Examines the relationship of people’s rights in land to the manner in which they may be involved in the management of forests in Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho and to a lesser degree Botswana and Swaziland. Includes examination of property relations, state power, land reform, recognition of customary rights, the changing nature of tenure, and the impact of new land law on community forest rights.

The seizure of land by those with no legal title to it is what was done a thousand times over by pioneers, colonists and builders of empire. There is nothing new in the transformation of pirates into legitimate landholders who then invoke the law to protect what they have stolen. It all depends when history starts. The powerful have always grabbed land, but when the poor do it, all hell breaks loose.

Introduction to a new book, At the Crossroads: Land and Agrarian Reform in South Africa into the 21st Century, based on a PLAAS/NLC conference of July 1999. In addressing whether land and agrarian reform has a future in South Africa and who might benefit, the book’s editor discusses the political context of the conference; integrated rural development; the new policy directions announced in February 2000; and the structure and contents of the book

With examples from throughout Southern Africa, examines the objectives, impetae, importance, principles and important elements of a land policy; the policy development process and policy implementation; the relevance of a national land policy for Uganda and emerging lessons.

Short report on Centre of African Studies, University of Edinburgh annual international conference. Its focus was on the highly marginalized hunter-gatherers and forest people who are increasing in number but are heavily discriminated against and are losing many struggles for land. They are often invisible to donors. Discusses international efforts to support indigenous rights and the difficulty of applying this concept in Africa. Lists the papers presented at the conference.

A historical analysis of the current land invasion crisis, examining the chequered past of the white farmers. Contrasts the present situation with the eviction without compensation by whites of Chief Tangwenya and his followers. Examines the different interpretations by the British and Zimbabwean Governments of the agreement over land reached at Lancaster House in 1979. Argues that the present media coverage lacks historical perspective and is doing the country a disservice. There are more questions needing to be asked about Britain’s role

Examines international evidence on the relationship between asset ownership and growth and the impact of redistributive land reform, plus evidence of the impact of land reform in Zimbabwe. Asks why it appears that resettled farmers are among the poorest in the population. Concludes that asset redistribution can be a viable strategy to enhance growth, that the performance of resettled farmers in Zimbabwe is better than is conventionally believed, and that if a land reform programme is well designed, it can have a large impact on equity as well as productivity.

Examines the current crisis in Zimbabwe, the land question in Zimbabwe and South Africa, the two land redistribution policies compared, poverty and the rule of law, populist policies and land invasions. Argues that despite the differences between South Africa and Zimbabwe, land invasions could occur in South Africa because of the failure to address deepening rural poverty and the continuing emotive issue of highly unequal and racially skewed land distribution.

Argues that using customary tenure as a basis for protecting women’s rights may be more effective than lobbying for reinsertion of the ‘lost’ co-ownership clause in the Uganda Land Act.

Compares land reform in Scotland and Africa. Examines the role of land, patterns of land holding, where is ultimate power vested, the role of customary chiefs and landowners, getting people to participate, who is the community, consultation, who is driving the agenda. Argues that legislative change alone is not enough.

Series of slides presented at a talk to the Royal African Society covering land tenure in Africa: common features; book outline; West Africa; land commissions, national land policies and land laws; implementation problems; Uganda Land Act 1998; land reform in South Africa 1994-9; tenure reform blocked in South Africa; conclusions; new approaches to land rights management; role of donors; Zimbabwe land invasions – different interpretations; Zimbabwe land chronology.

A Background Briefing covering the issue, the UK’s help for resettlement, Zimbabwe Government policies, UK land resettlement policy from 1997, DFID support for land resettlement – the way forward, other DFID support for poor people in rural areas. Says the UK believes that Zimbabwe needs land reform to reduce poverty, that the principles agreed at the 1998 Land Conference should be observed, and that the UK is willing to fund schemes which are focused on helping the poor and are transparent. Announces that Britain plans to support resettlement by funding projects from the private sector and NGOs up to a total of £5 million over the next 3-5 years.

Factual summary of latest developments, including constitutional review, farm invasions, resettlement programme, land policy, maximum farm sizes. Also covers the background: September 1998 donors’ conference, November 1997 listing of 1,471 farms, degazetted farms, compulsory acquisition’s two routes (designation and fair market value), uncontested and contested farms, acquisition orders, uncertainty, donor reactions, Government response to donor concerns, the inception phase plan, new land policy, stakeholders’ support for the Government’s economic programme, next steps, commercial farmer support scheme.

Recommendations of Land Policy Review Commission. Include qualification and capacity to hold title to land and to own land; outlawing gender discrimination on land; fallow and underutilised land; surveying, mapping and registration; block farming; commercial farming; range management; protection of wetlands; urban sites; rural development; institutions involved in land matters, including District and Local Land Boards; dispute resolution mechanisms; mining; forestry.

Examines evolution of land tenure reform in Kenya since Swynnerton Plan of 1954 with particular emphasis on the poverty impacts of titling. Concludes that land titling risks a negative impact on the poor.

Examines the evolution of the World Bank’s land policy since its 1975 Land Policy Reform Paper. Shows how the Bank has moved away from its earlier views on titling.

One page boxes summarising recent land reform developments in the countries listed.

A short paper outlining the likely future impact of HIV/AIDS on land.

Looks at the actors involved and policy processes. The main emphasis is on implementation processes and lessons learned, with case studies of Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, and Mozambique. Concludes with sections on participation or consultation, the role of donors, and the possible future impact of HIV/AIDS.

Covers assessment, limitations, policy directive and emphasis, redistribution, compensation in restitution, tenure reform, disposal of state land, farm dweller tenure security, principles underpinning land tenure reform in the former homelands, spatial planning approach to land reform, integrated policy formation, the programme of change, moratorium on redistribution projects.

Mentions new food security programme, transfer of state land, land tenure, land reform grant, new approach, commonage, agricultural redistribution grants, integrated rural development planning. Will facilitate transfer of tribal land to tribes and communities. Extended deadline for labour tenant claims to March 2001. Previous overemphasis on market forces failed to produce desired effect and impact. Lifted last August’s moratorium on new land reform projects. Piloting a supply led system. New grant system aimed at redistributing at least 15% of farm land in 5 years to emergent black farmers.

A response to the Minister’s Briefing (below). Asks who is land redistribution really serving. Challenges false dichotomy between commercial and subsistence agriculture. Need for government programmes to be open to close scrutiny by civil society.

Expands upon presentation made at Kigali workshop in September 1999 to draw out more fully lessons from Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya, including lessons for governments, donors, and NGOs. Also suggests the importance of putting in place a land policy framework, of women’s land issues, and for NGOs to be proactive.

Outlines purpose of the workshop, DFID’s wider goal, background, anticipated outcomes, assumptions, workshop process, DFID’s criteria for financial and technical support to network activities, checklist for regional discussion groups.

Covers workshop organization, the opening session, reports by consultants from East, West and Southern Africa, presentations by resource persons; group sessions, mission statement, closing remarks.

Brief statement containing purpose of the workshop, assessment of need, mission and objectives, thematic approach and activities, structure, membership and management, immediate next steps, forward planning, the question of a corporate name (LANDNET AFRICA).

Summarises the results of recent research into tenure insecurity and policy implications. Argues that legislation is needed to confirm people’s rights.

Martin Adams has been seconded in recent years to the South African Department of Land Affairs. Here he examines the content and fate of the Land Rights Bill and the recent political opposition to it.

The Land Campaign (Campanha Terra), which formally came to an end in November 1999, will re-emerge as a Land Forum. Describes the background to and results of the campaign and the activities in its first and second years, mentions how it was organised, and briefly outlines plans for the future.

Paper at the Workshop on the Associative Movement, Maputo.

Short summary of a Ph.D. thesis. The dominance of the white farm issue has delayed serious attention to more subtle land conflicts. Thesis focuses on the continued maintenance of communal land rights by urban property owners. Explores what would happen if these rights disappeared. In reality and in the absence of explicit state policy, poor families and women are already relinquishing these rights, which has very practical implications for urbanisation.

The Uganda Land Alliance was invited to the Kigali workshop to share Ugandan experiences with Rwandans. The paper covers the historical perspective to land reform in Uganda, land reform and salient features of the 1995 Constitution and the 1998 Land Act, and challenges and constraints to implementing the Land Act.

Paper at the Workshop on Land Use and Villagisation in Rwanda, organised by RISD (Rwanda Initiative for Sustainable Development), Kigali

Short report covers the prelude to the workshop, the new land law, planning and objectives, key points made in the discussions, recommendations, developments after the workshop, and summaries of the papers.

20-21 September 1999. Workshop organised by RISD (Rwanda Initiative for Sustainable Development), Kigali

RISD, a Rwandan NGO, presented its study of land use and implementation of villagisation in Kigali Rural, Ruhengeri, Gikongoro and Butare to offer an informed contribution to land policy development and the villagisation process and to stimulate discussion and dialogue through dissemination of its findings. The paper examines the history of the policy, the main determining factors, and the problems which have surfaced. since its inception.

Paper at the Workshop on Land Use and Villagisation in Rwanda, organised by RISD (Rwanda Initiative for Sustainable Development), Hotel des Mille Collines, Kigali, Rwanda

Report of planning workshop of the newly formed Kenya Land Alliance. Covers objectives, activities and membership, institutional framework, existing resources and a workplan.

Paper draws lessons for Rwandan policy makers from land reform experiences in Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Mozambique, West Africa, Malawi, Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia.

Paper at the Workshop on Land Use and Villagisation in Rwanda, organised by RISD (Rwanda Initiative for Sustainable Development), Hotel des Mille Collines, Kigali, Rwanda