Maravi

Land and reforms

Land and reforms
By Dr Kenneth D. Kaunda
Sunday October 19, 2008 [04:00]

IN my last article, of Sunday October 12, 2008, I referred to the fearful financial situation still taking place now in the USA, Europe, and Asia. Countries that we always refer to as “developed countries” are facing serious problems in their economies. I do not see how these could not affect the continent of Africa. What is taking place there is in areas that we often refer to as developed countries.

These are developed countries on the basis of capitalism. With the exception of the People's Republic of China, the rest of the countries we are discussing here follow this system called capitalism.

In my next writing, I would like to discuss this issue of capitalism as seriously as possible. As I do that, I would like my reader to read what I said far back in June 1975, when I was president of Zambia. Those were eventful and challenging times!

I addressed the national council of the United National Independence Party, UNIP, at Mulungushi Hall, Lusaka, from June 30 to July 3, 1975. There were a lot of people in the council meeting. They had come from all over Zambia. There were also some observers present. The national council gathering was supportive. In the speech, we covered all areas of human endeavour. My address was eventually known as “The Watershed Speech.”

I believe that from that speech and what it raised, the West genuinely began fighting us. If we could have deeply implemented many of those things, there is no doubt at all that we could have had genuine support from the people. People would have benefitted greatly from those steps.

Of concern then was what was happening with land. There was speculation and unfairness. We needed economic justice and fair play. We needed to act. Some of our actions in 1975 definitely affected the later land situation in Zambia. The Watershed speech contributed to protecting people from exploitation over land.

I share the following part, dealing with land reform, from the Watershed speech of June 1975:
.... Comrade Chairman, my next point of discussion is our land reforms.

The political line of UNIP on land is that this is a gift from God and cannot be sold and especially be made the subject of speculation by inhuman exploiters.

The Party and Government have, on several occasions, made this policy stand clear. In Humanism in Zambia Part I, it is stated 'land obviously must remain property of the State' and in the Party's National Policies for the next decade, 1974 to 1984, it is even more explicitly stated that 'all land will continue to be vested in the President of the Republic of Zambia, not Kaunda, on behalf of the State and all existing freehold titles to any Land will be replaced by leasehold titles in terms of 99 years.'

In accordance with this policy, I have, comrade Chairman, decided to take the following measure.

Farm land

With effect from one second past midnight of 1st July, 1975, all freehold titles to Land are abolished and all Land held by commercial farmers under freehold title is converted effective from that date to Leasehold by present titleholders for a period of 100 years. Not 99 years.

Since the policy of the Party is that all land must be fully and effectively productive, unutilised tracts of farmland will, with immediate effect, be taken over by the State. We cannot afford to have large tracts of land lying idle.

However, let me sound a note of warning. No individual or groups of individuals will be free to occupy any piece of Land without the authority of the State or its lawful agency.

Land in residential areas in cities and towns

With immediate effect no more land in Urban areas will be sold by anyone. Freehold titles to Land are also converted to leasehold for 100 years effective 1st July, 1975. Developments on the land may be sold. The cost of vacant plots in and around Lusaka and other cities and towns is simply shocking to say the least. What greed! What shameless broad day-light robbery! What exploitation!

There are landlords, Comrades who bought their one-acre plots for K3,600 or less in 1970. Last year they were demanding K8,000 and this year for the same plot they want K10,000.

Then there is the classic case of a plot in the Lusaka City Center and today I am exposing the facts. By a conveyance dated 3rd April, 1975, one George Louis Lipschild of Lusaka sold to a company known as Solar Investments (Zambia) Ltd, with registered office at Sackville House, Akapelwa Street, Livingstone, The following properties which are opposite the Lusaka City Council Library, namely:

Sub-Division 1 of Sub-Division A of plot Number 29, size 0.0405 hectare (0.100 of an acre).

The remaining extent of Sub-Division A of Sub-Division Number 29, size 0.0716 hectare (0.177 of an acre)

the remaining extent of plot Number 29 size 0.0927 hectare (0.229 of an acre).

Now these three plots, each less than a quarter of an acre ( using old language) cost Solar Investments (Zambia) Ltd K150,000. Listed on the same day, 3rd April, by another conveyance made between Solar Investments (Zambia) Ltd, and the Development Bank of Zambia, our own bank, handling public funds, the third plot, that is, the remaining extent a plot Number 29, size 0.0927 hectare (0.229 of an acre) that one of plot of those three plots which were sold at K150,000 was sold to Development Bank of Zambia at K100,000.

How does anybody expect me to allow poor people's money which I go and borrow from outside to be spent on one man instead of spending it on the masses?

We are getting into the pockets of one man to buy our Land, God given Land in Zambia, I will not accept that system. It is a rotten exploitation of the worst order. I ask you, do you want me to accept that?

This plot has never been developed and we, the public of Zambia, poor people, are being asked to pay K100,000 to Solar Investments, yet Solar Investments (Zambia) Ltd bought three plots for K150,000, one of which has a building standing on it - an antique shop. This is not merely profiteering. This is insanity and we must put an immediate stop to it.

Solar Investments (Zambia) Ltd, whatever the other names they have, must give back to the Development Bank of Zambia the money already paid to them for this plot. The vacant plot is immediately taken over. The Development Bank of Zambia can have it from the State.

Those involved in negotiating this deal, Zambians or non-Zambians, ought to be sacked. I am accordingly asking Comrade Prime Minister to instruct them to show sense, Zambians or non-Zambians, why this nation should not punish them. We are a fair society. Let them show cause why they should not be punished for selling the masses of the public of Zambia down the river of capitalism.

As for the other two plots, I direct that the value of the building be immediately assessed. The building, together with the plot, is taken over. We will pay just for the value of the building and nothing else. I am being kind, very kind indeed.

Comrade Chairman, this is also a warning to the Development Bank of Zambia and other public institutions. It is ridiculous, to say the least. It is criminal for any one to throw away public money like that unless they wish to share the spoils with the enemies of Zambia.

This is a warning to Zambian leaders. In future, we will punish those who squander money in this way. As for Solar Investments (Zambia) Ltd, if these are your dirty deeds, then get out of Zambia now.

I have also decided that vacant plots and all vacant and undeveloped land in and around Lusaka and all other cities and towns will now be taken over by local authorities.

All vacant plots around cities and towns of whatever size already subdivided and ready for sale will be taken over immediately and will come under either local authority ownership or Central Government as the case may be...

In working or living, land is important for all. The Watershed speech, 33 years ago, led to great impact on the land situation in Zambia.

Labels: KENNETH KAUNDA, LAND REFORM

posted by MrK @ 12:06 AM