South Africa votes to confiscate white-owned land without compensation

Trogdor the Burninator

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SOUTH Africa’s parliament has voted in favour of a motion that will begin the process of amending the country’s Constitution to allow for the confiscation of white-owned land without compensation.

The motion was brought by Julius Malema, leader of the radical Marxist opposition party the Economic Freedom Fighters, and passed overwhelmingly by 241 votes to 83 against. The only parties who did not support the motion were the Democratic Alliance, Freedom Front Plus, Cope and the African Christian Democratic Party.

It was amended but supported by the ruling African National Congress and new president Cyril Ramaphosa, who made land expropriation a key pillar of his policy platform after taking over from ousted PM Jacob Zuma earlier this month.

“The time for reconciliation is over. Now is the time for justice,” Mr Malema was quoted by News24 as telling parliament. “We must ensure that we restore the dignity of our people without compensating the criminals who stole our land.”

According to Bloomberg, a 2017 government audit found white people owned 72 per cent of farmland in South Africa.

Whatever you might think of race relations in South Africa, this certainly looks like another step towards becoming a failed state. Rampant crime that can't be controlled, a corrupt ex-PM who has stolen tens of millions, a city of roughly half a million people runs out of water and now, farms will likely go the same way as Zimbabwe leading to food shortages
 

Trogdor the Burninator

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I wonder what they are expecting to achieve?

If we use Zimbabwe as a guide, and even assuming South Africa doesn't go the crazy dictator route, at the very least they'll have food shortages, a mass exodus of experienced former farmers and a severe curtailing of any business investment in the country.
 
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faroukfarouk

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If we use Zimbabwe as a guide, and even assuming South Africa doesn't go the crazy dictator route, at the very least they'll have food shortages, a mass exodus of experienced former farmers and a severe curtailing of any business investment in the country.
Bishop Butler, 18th century:

"If things and actions are what they are, and their consequences will be what they will be, then why should we wish to deceive ourselves?"
 
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Ana the Ist

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Whatever you might think of race relations in South Africa, this certainly looks like another step towards becoming a failed state. Rampant crime that can't be controlled, a corrupt ex-PM who has stolen tens of millions, a city of roughly half a million people runs out of water and now, farms will likely go the same way as Zimbabwe leading to food shortages

It's a shame if the nation actually did better under apartheid.
 
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faroukfarouk

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Why do you think that wouldn't be sufficient by itself for some of these people?
Perhaps having food might also come into their consideration?

If one reads about the mass collectivization of farming on the Steppes under Stalin and its dire consequences, it seems that ideology and antagonism towards the private sector matter more than avoiding starvation.
 
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Radagast

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From Reuters: "Among the main criticisms leveled at government’s land reform policy over the years has been that many farms transferred to emerging black farmers lay fallow and unproductive."

In other words, South Africa has already been moving in the same direction as Zimbabwe. They have simply voted to accelerate the trend.
 
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Redac

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Perhaps having food might also come into their consideration?
Maybe they think they can just give the land to others and it'll be farmed just as well.

If one reads about the mass collectivization of farming on the Steppes under Stalin and its dire consequences, it seems that ideology and antagonism towards the private sector matter more than avoiding starvation.
Ah, that's why this seems odd to you. I suspect that this has much less to do with ideological opposition toward "the private sector" and much more to do with racial animus toward whites.
 
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faroukfarouk

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Maybe they think they can just give the land to others and it'll be farmed just as well.


Ah, that's why this seems odd to you. I suspect that this has much less to do with ideological opposition toward "the private sector" and much more to do with racial animus toward whites.
Well, it's would not be unfair to say that the Bolsheviks stirred up hatred toward landowners; I guess the addition of a skin colour element to the antagonism is also possible.
 
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faroukfarouk

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From Reuters: "Among the main criticisms leveled at government’s land reform policy over the years has been that many farms transferred to emerging black farmers lay fallow and unproductive."

In other words, South Africa has already been moving in the same direction as Zimbabwe. They have simply voted to accelerate the trend.
Like, a wishful, Maybe it will work better, even though it hasn't worked up to now? :scratch:
 
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Redac

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Well, it's would not be unfair to say that the Bolsheviks stirred up hatred toward landowners; I guess the addition of a skin colour element to the antagonism is also possible.
It's most likely the other way around in this case, the desire to bring down whites being the deeper driving force, and the left-wing politics being added on top of it.
 
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Redac

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I have relatives farming in South Africa. Now I am wondering if it is too late for them to get out before things get even worse. But I don't know where they would go...
It does seem unlikely that as a group they have somewhere to go where they would be welcomed with open arms.
 
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