The work of the panel is partly informed by a resolution of Parliament to consider expropriation of land without compensation.
The colloquium saw industry players converge at Saint George Hotel in Centurion to thrash out challenges and possible solutions to land reform.
Addressing the colloquium, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said land is a key asset to drive development, the reform of which must address socio-economic issues.
“Land is the centrepiece in the development strategy towards the South Africa we want.
“Land is the most important asset because that is where all activities take place. It is not just important for agriculture but anyone who has a business must have land. If you have a residence, you must have land,” said Dlamini-Zuma.
In addition to development, the minister expressed that land reform must address gender inequality.
“Gender equality and improved food security will require equality and access to ownership of land,” said Dlamini-Zuma.
In a 2017 report, the World Economic Forum (WEF) estimated that land and property can form up to 75% of a nation’s wealth and yet women, who make up three quarters of the world’s population, cannot prove they own the land on which they live or work.
This, according to the WEF, is despite the fact that more than 400 million women farm and produce the majority of the world’s food supply.
Sharing some of the work done by her commission, chief land claims commissioner Nomfundo Gobodo-Ntloko pointed the advisory panel to challenges to heed in their policy perspective.
“You often find that when you are faced with land claims, you have a layer of rights and you need to take account of all of those rights and you need to identify the correct beneficiary,” said Gobodo-Ntloko.
Entering into plenary sessions, delegates raised several issues that need to find expression in the much anticipated policy perspective.
Among the issues raised is determining the rightful owners of land, economic use of the land once in the hands of claimants and claimants opting for cash over land.
The University of the Western Cape's Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS) chairperson, Professor Ben Cousins, said land reform must address inequality and environmental change amongst others.
The colloquium will entered day two of its discussions on Saturday with delegates discussing land administration and the financing of land reform.
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