2-page sheet covering overview of the debate, key issues in decision-making, tenure reform, redistributive land reform, key literature. Purpose is to provide decision-makers with an easy and up to date point of reference, designed for those managing change. Aims to distil theoretical debate and field experience so it becomes easily accessible and useful. Lists organisations with relevant expertise, including Oxfam GB.

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.

Land in Uganda is the core factor of production and one of the three basic resources, next to people and time. Women’s struggle for gender balance with particular regard to land is a direct result of the fact that their central role in economic development has not been recognised; tradition and customs (such as polygamy, bride wealth and succession) have deprived them of actual ownership of land.

Includes experience with land policy development in the region, the Malawi National Land Policy and its implementation strategy, the emerging land market, social protection and economic growth and DFID’s support to date. Among the options suggested to DFID are a more inclusive project, low cost strategic engagement or withdrawal from the land sector. Argues the need for DFID support for public information and awareness and for civil society organisations. Contains a draft legal brief on customary title in Malawian law as an annex.

An examination of land tenure arrangements in the former homelands of South Africa and of post-apartheid attempts to deal with them. Includes a critique of the new Communal Land Rights Bill. Argues that the very limited capacity of government’s over-centralised land administration has been the bugbear of land reform in South Africa and that over-optimistic predictions of the speed and scope of reforms have haunted officials and politicians who made them. Fears the new Bill will undermine the opportunity to strengthen the land rights of the poor.

Report on a Southern African consultation of donors and civil society organisations held in Benoni on 3 May 2001. Its purpose was to review progress with land reform and what donors might do in its absence. Traces current developments in the region. Argues that donors should not walk away when things turn sour, that land reform is a long-term iterative process, needing the involvement of many stakeholders. Unequal ownership of land is an increasing threat to political stability. Strengthening civil society during periods of government inaction is of value for what follows.

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 DFID Kenya support to the land reform process; problems and constraints; the Njonjo Commission and Report; the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission; the land policy process; the Kenya Land Alliance; possible future KLA activities for DFID support; the role of civil society in the land policy development process in the region; possible future DFID support to the Kenya Government land reform process; overview of the land reform work being undertaken (by government, business, donors); proposed DFID assistance to the Ministry of Lands for a land policy review.

The authors currently work for the tenure reform group within the South African Department of Land Affairs. Their paper provides an overview of South African land reform policy, its scope (redistribution, restitution, tenure reform), milestones in the institutional development of the Department of Land Affairs, and institutional issues that still have to be resolved.

This review of land issues in twenty countries in Southern and Eastern Africa is the third since 2004. The idea of conducting a regular review arose in an informal meeting of land rights activists in Pretoria in 2003 concerned about the seeming lack of progress with land reform in the region and what might be done to improve land rights delivery. It was recognised that there was a lack of systematic information as to what was actually happening and the need to track the progress of the various national programmes underway, as well as monitor land rights under serious threat.

Looks at land tax, land expropriation, foreign ownership, the National Resettlement Programme and the Affirmative Action Loan Scheme, case studies, and donor support in the land-reform process. Concludes with recommendations on expropriation, farm workers, sustainability of resettlement projects, gender issues, skills sharing and training.

A detailed guide covering communal land boards, communal land areas, allocation of customary, grazing and leasehold rights in respect of communal land, general provisions.