President Ramaphosa officiates land handover of first successful claim of indigenous Khoi community

President Cyril Ramaphosa will be handing over title deeds to more than 50 households of Ebenhaeser, Beeswater in the Western Cape Province, this Saturday, 23 March 2019.

Taking place under the theme “Restoring dignity through land reform” the settling and finalising of land claims is part of the Land Reform programme which is part of the transformative principles of our Constitution.

The President will be accompanied by the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to hand over title deeds for the  3990 hectares of 178 Vanrhynsdorp Beeswater commercial farmland. The beneficiaries are the direct descendants of the Griqua Community that  established themselves on the Farm since 1926.

The community entered into a lease agreement with the then landowner in 1938-1940 but due to racial laws and practices, did not have the necessary permit to purchase the land.  The community of Beeswater was forcibly removed from an undivided portion of the remainder Farm Vanrhysdorp, situated on the Western side of the Zoutrivier in 1960. The community was eventually relocated to the Coloured Area of Vredendal in 1981.

The Beeswater Communal Property Association have indicated their desire to resuscitate livestock and or game farming, possible agricultural activities as the first claim settled in the Western Cape to direct descendants of the indigenous Khoi community a cultural village and ultimately to resettle their community to the land that is rich in cultural history.

Earlier this month the President officiated over the Gauteng Land Restitution Ceremony in Mamelodi, east of Pretoria. The ceremony marked the successful claims by 10 Gauteng communities who were presented with title deeds and financial compensation.

The Western Cape (Ebenhaeser) Presidential Handover Ceremony is scheduled to take place as follows:
Date: Saturday, 23 March 2019
Time: 10H00
Venue: Ebenhaeser, Matzikama Local Municipality, West Coast District

Media who intend covering the event should liaise with Tsakane Khambane on 082 084 5566


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria