The Department for International Development of the British Government in South Africa (DFIDSA) has interacted on land issues with a range of partners, from within and outside Government, over the past eight years. In 2002 year it approved a Concept Note to provide interim support for land reform and for the design of a longer-term programme. The interim programme focuses on the process of consultation on new land tenure legislation; capacity building for the Department of Land Affairs (DLA) in budget and information management; and the functions of the National African Farmers Union (NAFU).
DFIDSA is now moving to design the longer-term programme. As it does so, it is seeking to build on the partnerships developed over the past few years. This note describes the process it is following, and principles and criteria which will underpin the way in which decisions on priorities are taken.
The Design Process
The design process has been consultative. It will lead to the production of a Programme Memorandum for approval by DFID's senior management by the end of 2003. A key milestone was the preparation of a Programme Concept Note in late May 2003, as a means of gaining "agreement in principle" before moving on to detailed design work.
During May & June 2003, DFIDSA held bilateral discussions with partners and other stakeholders. The bulk of these initial contacts were completed before the DLA's Donor Forum at the end of May. On the basis of these initial discussions and the outcome of the Donor Forum, DFIDSA had a clearer idea of the options open to DFIDSA support, and of where, and how, DFIDSA should commission further work before making firm decisions
The Concept Note sets out the broad principles of what DFIDSA intends to do and outlines the process for producing the Programme Memorandum. From July to September a number of scoping studies were commissioned and workshops held on specific issues. DFIDSA held a Multi-Stakeholder Workshop in early September to review progress and contribute to the debate on land issues; to help make decisions on where DFIDSA can most effectively offer support; and to agree what further work is needed before drafting the Programme Memorandum.
Principles and criteria.
The design process has been strongly consultative, but the content of the
final programme will adhere to certain principles and criteria. The underlying
principle upon which the content of the Programme Memorandum is
based is: "Poverty reduction and converting secure access to land
into sustainable livelihoods for poor people".
Based on this underlying principle, the type of support meriting further consideration might include:
Urban and rural land tenure reform and redistribution through support for the formulation of policies; broad consultation on the impact of land policies and proposed legislation; and M&E.
Consideration of the merits of market-based approaches; and of different types of tenure (e.g. freehold, leasehold, tenancy, individual and communal,) in specific circumstances;
Strengthening post-settlement support for poor people, including piloting different institutional approaches;
M&E to monitor and improve performance, working with civil society and Government; and
Policy research.
In the context of the overall objective of poverty reduction, particular consideration will be given to vulnerable groups such as female and orphan-headed households, urban squatter communities, the landless, farm labourers and the rural poor in communal areas.
Scoping studies
As mentioned previously, DFIDSA commissioned a number of scoping studies to inform this process as well as contribute to the debate. These included:
These scoping studies were commissioned to identify the current issues, but also to create a basis for discussion and debate (Terms of Reference available). DFIDSA intends to further develop these issues and debates it its programme of support for land issues in southern Africa.
Urban land issues have been identified as an area for further research and development. DFIDSA have developed an outline process to further develop urban land issues to highlight their importance and incorporation into the current more rural biased land issues debate. This process involving further research, discussion and debate will continue in early 2004.
For further information contact the DFIDSA Senior Rural Livelihoods Adviser, Paula Chalinder on p-chalinder@dfid.gov.uk or Office phone Number 012-4312120
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