1. Editorial

Conference

2. Work had to prevail in Durban

Personalities

3. First lady registrars appointed

4. Lerato talks to Lavina

Policy

5. Portfolio Committee tours DLA

6. Do not lose - momentum - Shanaaz

7. Discrimination causes anger

8. Mpumalanga breaks new ground

9. Talking labour

Recreation

10. Pretoria Surveyor-General/Deeds netball team inexperienced but winning

11. Vuyani shares Great Train race moments

12. Potpourri

13. Never too old to learn - Suzette

Comments

14. Spatial warehouse poised to support land reform in South Africa

15. I am an agent

16. Comment on African reasons for buying land in Natal

Announcements

17. Announcement on first aid boxes

18. Announcement on national key points

19. New books

Editorial

"Well, here am I, where I was yesterday, the day before yesterday and the day before that. Doing the same thing, again and again". Correctly or not, may I request you to associate this with Brandford Marsalis. The meaning of the saying does not excite me, but the environment in which it is uttered, takes me to another level.

In that spirit, that is why I say, here am I, where I was yesteryear, the year before yesteryear and the day before that. Yes, I admit that I am doing more or less the same thing that I did in the past few years. But, I must be emphatic that things are now more exciting than when I first sat behind this desk.

Presently, I have just returned from a breather. The sea breezes seem to be keeping me refreshed all the time in this Pretoria heat. In the breather, I heard people talking about resolutions. Unfortunately, I do not belong to that lot and that is another story to be told elsewhere.

In bringing  all  I am saying into context, let me say I do not remember when, but there was a World Rugby Tournament in this country. In the past years there has been an African Cup Soccer Tournament in this country. Athletes from all corners of this continent have assembled here. There was once an International Conference on Racism. The so-called international musicians have been moving in and out of this country. The list is endless, and all these people have affected you and me in a number of different ways. But, as far as I am concerned, the events in the near future will have a different and a more awesome impact than them.

I work for the Department of Land Affairs, which is presently championing LRAD. In the same spirit our government is talking about the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development (ISRDS) and the Urban Renewal Programme (URP). Perhaps, by now you are well aware that the African Union will officially be launched in this country in July. Yes your guess is good, my focus is the New Partnership for Africa' Development (NEPAD). Before I forget, I will remind you that the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD)  will be in Johannesburg in August/ September.

For interest's sake, "The New Partnership for Africa's Development is a pledge by African leaders, based on a common vision and a firm and shared conviction, that they have a pressing duty to eradicate poverty and to place their countries, both individually and collectively, on a path of sustainable growth and development and, at the same time, to participate actively in the world economy and body politic".

I deem it appropriate to mention that the WSSD will be bringing "...together some 65 000 delegates from various sectors in the economic, social and environment clusters to discuss, debate and reach agreements on a variety of issues related to sustainable development. Among the many objectives for hosting this Summit is to begin a public education drive that will see South Africans from all walks of life begin to understand, debate and make real issues around sustainable development".

Pardon me for not dwelling on the programmes or policies. But if one looks closely at them they have a commonality, which is development. In cutting short a long story, I will only say development is the main ingredient of every policy or programme of the Department of Land Affairs. That means, whether we like it or not, in the Department of Land Affairs we are agents of development. Then, by the time events in the near future arrive with all their excitement we have to be bold and proud that we are sure about our game.

In my breather, I met a number of people I had not seen for some time. They had interest in me as much as I had in them. There were a lot of questions about the Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD). Some were very vicious, I must admit. But, rest assured, I walked through all of them unscathed because I had all the facts and I was able to refer to a lie as a lie.

This did not end at LRAD. The ISRDS, URP, NEPAD and the WSSD came into the fore. There was a time when I had to stand on my toes. Please do not assume that I was trying to defend anything. I was merely putting facts on the table. Then noisemakers would do what they are good at, behave like empty vessels.

Perhaps by now you may be wondering what am I driving at. In moving out of my riddle, I will say, because you are working for the Department of Land Affairs, know your subject. I am not implying that you don't. But sharing with you an experience that I believe is very exciting. Perhaps, you've been there before. You may as well share it with all of us. In the same spirit, may I promise you that the events in the near future are going to hit you like you have never been hit before. This includes the events mentioned earlier on, on rugby and others, too.

My I also say, as soon as I get back into my little flat still in a jolly good mood, I will be putting Brandford Marsalis on my turntable. What a pity, I will not be able to bring you into the room so that you can feel and understand the mood. Anyway, that doesn't matter but lift up your spirit for this is 2002 and you dare not let it bore you.

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I do not understand why, but whenever I went to work in Durban for the Tenure Conference last year, people at National Office would always ask if I had had a good time. I must confess that in all my visits to Durban, work had to prevail.

Yes, I have enjoyed myself in Durban and it was a long time ago, in 1976 to be exact. Then, I watched Kaizer Chiefs piping Orlando Pirates by Sugar Muguyo's goal for the Life Cup. In the same year I watched at King's Park the Springboks beating the New Zealand All Blacks. On that Saturday Naas Botha played for the Northern Transvaal Schools. This is the day I believe his boot was officially introduced to the world.

At the conference I had to be among the first to arrive and the last to leave. My camera had to keep flashing all day long among those squeaking and droning voices.

Sometimes during the evenings, in the space that separates a second from a second, one would find oneself town-crawling, looking for jazz holes. I suspect we may have gone to a wrong place. Just imagine, on a Sunday evening, at a supposedly jazz hole, being told that there is no jazz.

On the first evening of the conference I had to shoot straight to the City Hall after Minister Thoko Didiza's opening address at the International Convention Centre. But circumstances beyond my control delayed me and I had to hitch a ride. On my arrival at the City Hall people were moving out. I moved against their flow and entered the City Hall.

It is here, that I noticed as my forefinger kept on pressing, that the DLA was well represented at the Conference. I do not know why, or perhaps it was because of the rain, on that evening people were casual smart.

My red concoction was still plentiful and I decided to keep company with those at the City Hall. In the mood of that time I chose to opt for the veggies rather than those fatty chunks. From time to time my camera would flash.

On Tuesday evening, Minister Didiza hosted a dinner. While waiting for her arrival, I had the pleasure of being on the lookout for her using my walkie-talkie to alert those inside the ICC. I do not know why, I heard some people referring to me as Sergeant. Perhaps it was the walkie-talkie.

That evening there was a lot of entertainment in one of the halls of the ICC. There was a group of dancers from a Pretoria school that showed us how it is done. This was high-energy stuff and the pace was very fast. For me, the climax of their activity was when they showed us how it is done in Spain. Someone reminded that my camera had to catch them in their act.

Durban musicians provided classical music and people loved it. To the delight of those present IsiZulu traditional music and dance was also availed. The new jazz guitar sensation, Prince, displayed why he has been chosen as the Standard Bank New Jazz Musician for 2002. Phiwe Solomons who hails from Zwelitsha Township in King William's Town was backing him on bass.

This was the night when King Goodwill Zwelithini was present. The day will surely come when I will tell my grandchildren that I once dined with royalty. His praise singer moved those present with emotion when in his art, spoke about the history and the great warriors of the Zulu nation.

The waiters and waitresses at the ICC know their craft. Every time I spoke to them about my diet requirements, they would oblige and give what my heart desired. There is no single time where I can say the meals I got were not good. They were all mouth-watering. The cooks there deserve a pat on the back.

The following evening, when Sipho Gumede took the stage almost everybody jumped to the dance floor. "Almost everybody" is used in the literal sense here. People were really enjoying themselves. This includes myself. As I was strutting by I made some observations. There was this dude who used to do his thing way back. He is still good at it. He moves with grace and carries his heavy body with dignity around the dance floor. Rhythm is a cornerstone of his dancing. People just spontaneously admired him.

On the same dance floor, there was somebody else who really had no reason to be there in the first place. I do not know what made him get carried away. Without exaggerating things, his body needs to be reconditioned in the first instance. He is very stiff. A few bones need to be broken before he will be able to move properly on the dance floor. But strangely enough, there were people who kept urging him to continue with his circus. I do not know, perhaps they were just flattering him.

I may as well mention that I was staying at the beach front, in the Golden Mile area. In some evenings I would just sit on the balcony and watch the ships rolling by. I did not go for a swim, but I heard some of my colleagues saying they had really enjoyed the warm Indian Ocean water.

DLA women can dress in style. I do not remember meeting anyone of them not dressed to kill in all those evenings. What about men? Yes, there were some who proved that they have a good taste. Sometimes men tend to rely on ladies to reach perfection in what they are wearing. In other words, some of them at the conference may have been missing the feminine touch from their spouses, sisters, mothers or girl friends on their dressing.

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History has again been made in the DLA with the appointment of Ms L C Smith and Ms C C E Knoesen as first lady Registrars of Deeds in Kimberley and Bloemfontein respectively. No ladies have ever occupied the positions anywhere in South Africa in the past.

DLA Director - General, Dr Gilingwe Mayende, announced recently that Minister Thoko Didiza has approved the appointment of the two ladies and the following managers:

Ms Unita Nocwaka Oliphant - Director : Internal Auditing

Ms C Motsisi - Chief Director: Financial Management

Ms T Smith - Director: National Spatial Information Framework

Ms C van der Merwe - Director: Redistribution Implementation Systems

Mr T D Netshilaphala - Director: Spatial Planning Facilitation

A brief profile of these managers follows hereunder:

Carlize is an Officer of the High Court of South Africa. She did her legal training at the University of Pretoria. She attained the National Diploma in the Registration of Deeds through the Technikon South Africa.

Between 1996 and 1997 she was a lecturer in Sectional Title Law and Deeds Practice and Procedure B at the Justice College. She was the training officer in the Pretoria Deeds Registry from 1989 to 1992.

Carlize was also Assistant Registrar : Legal Support in the Office of the Chief Registrar of Deeds. Since February 1998 she has been assisting the Training Section of the Registrar of Deeds.

She is married with five children. Her hobbies include church activities, walking and reading.

Levina started as a junior at the Kimberley Deeds Registry in 1979. She obtained her legal qualifications in 1985 and has a diploma in the Registration of Deeds. She rose through the ranks until appointed Deputy Registrar of Deeds in 1997.

Her experience revolves around the interpretation and application of :

• Deeds Registry Act
• Sectional Titles Act

She has been acting in her new position since 14 August, 2000.

Nocwaka's academic training at Fort Hare and the University of South Africa was in Economics, Accounting and Taxation. The Institute of Internal Auditors recognised her as a Certified Internal Auditor in 1998.

Among the establishments she has worked for in the past are Blackchain Ltd, Unisys, Ernst and Young, Transnet and the Independent Development Trust. Between 1998 and 2000 she was an Accounting and a Tax consultant.

As a rookie in her profession she began working as Assistant Accountant. Before assuming duties with the DLA she was a manager for Internal Audit at the Independent Development Trust.

Catherine can be described as someone who has undergone an intensive and an extensive training through the University of South Africa and the Witwatersrand Technikon in accounting. Before that she had done Foundation for Business Studies with Damelin.

She started working for Metro Cash and Carry as a Creditors Data Capturing Clerk and rose through the ranks to be a Senior Accountant. Between 1997 and 2000 she worked as a Finance Manager for Multichoice and before joining the DLA she had a stint with Transnet as a Finance Manager responsible for:

• Education and training
• Conferencing
• Hospitality

Tania's studies at the University of Pretoria have a special emphasis in geography. Added to that is a string of financial and management courses and workshops she has gone through within and outside the Department.

Her involvement with Geographical Information Support dates back to 1996. She rose through the ranks and from March 2000 was asked to act as the Director for National Spatial Information Framework.

In July/August 2001 she made presentations to Ugandan and American visitors on the National Spatial Information Framework. There are a number of road shows aimed on awareness on her Directorate's programmes she has run.

Carmen got her training from the Universities of Pretoria, Stellenbosch and Cape Town. She has also done studies with the University of the Free State in Land and Agrarian Development.

Some of the courses she has studied include:

• Natural Resource Management
• Conservation Development
• Soil Science

Among the institutions she has worked for in the past are:

• Discount Glass and Aluminium
• South African National Parks

She started to work for the DLA in 1997. At the time of her appointment, she was acting in her new position.

Tshilidzi is a married father of two whose studies at the Cape Technikon and the University of Natal were in Town and Regional Planning. Among others, he did Surveying, Ecology and the Environment, and Photo Interpretation.

He also can be described as having risen through the ranks from being a Learner Town Planning Technician way back in 1987 to be where he is today. He has worked for the Department of Local Government and Housing and the Office of the Premier in the Limpopo Province.

From the 06 to the 26 September, 2000 he attended a conference on Urban Economic Development at the Galilee College in Israel. In May and June in 1999 he attended a course in Regional Development Administration for the Republic of South Africa in Japan.

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LC: I matriculated at Christiana High School. I started studying towards the Diploma in the Registration of Deeds in 1983 and graduated in 1985. I passed 6 of the 12 subjects with distinction.

I was appointed in the Deeds Office in Kimberley on 20/08/1979. I was promoted to the rank of Chief Deeds Controller on 01/07/1987 and as from this date also became the second in charge in the office. On 01/12/1995, I was promoted to the rank of Assistant Registrar of Deeds and appointed as Deputy Registrar of Deeds in 1997.

LC: Firstly my duties are laid down in section 3 of the Deeds Registries Act 47/1937 as amended, which include the following:-

• to maintain an efficient registration system
• to afford security of title
• to preserve all records of registered deeds and other documents
• to examine deeds and documents to ensure the proper application of statutory, common and case law
• to register deeds and other documents
• to maintain a public register
• to provide information regarding registered deeds and documents.

The Act, however is not the only enactment which places a duty on me as a Registrar. I am faced with numerous statutes which place a duty on me, to mention but a few:

• Administration of estates
• Transfer of duty
• Stamp duty
• Subdivision of Agricultural land

I must also have a sound knowledge of numerous decisions of court, legal opinion, and instructions from the Chief Registrar of Deeds. Added to that I am supposed to know common law, especially with regard to persons and immovable property and contracts such as purchase and sale, agency and mortgage.

I am not an ordinary public servant performing statutory duties. My field covers the whole fabric of civil law. Section 97(1) of Act 47/1947 provides that before any application is made to court, which involves the performance of any act in a deeds registry, notice must be given to the registrar for a report to the court.

I am also responsible for the effective management of:-

• employment equity and affirmative action policies
• deeds registration trading account and debtor control
• financial resources
• procurement
• risk and fraud prevention
• human resources

LL: How do you feel about your new appointment?

LC: I feel great, I am honoured to be one of the first women ever to be appointed in a post that was reserved only for men.

LC: Firstly, my goal is to manage diversity to the best of my ability, to unite the staff and create a harmonious working environment. Secondly, members of the staff are all relatively inexperienced. I want to create equal opportunities for each and every one to develop themselves to their highest potential which they are capable of. Thirdly, to rectify the imbalances of the past with regard to the employment of women, blacks and persons with disabilities. This will enable me to achieve the vision and mission of this office.

LC: The first challenge would be to prove that a woman could be a manager. I have to ensure that representativity is maintained and to mentor my successor to be the benefit of the Department.

I am also committed to contribute to the establishment of the Mutingati Project in the Northern Cape and to ensure a good working relationship with the PLRO:NC, as this was not the case in the past. Ultimately I want to support the gender policy in the Northern Cape.

LC: As I have already accepted the challenge, I am going to tackle this job with a positive attitude, believe in myself and try to correct choices in the best interest of the office and department as a whole.

LC: Not at the moment. During the time that I acted as Registrar, I have already identified problem areas which will now be addressed.

LC: The Batho Pele Committee was established in the office to better our services.

• Information hours were extended
• Application forms for information were made more user friendly
• Consulting hours for conveyancers have been changed

In order to achieve Batho Pele principles, information brochures and charter are in the process of being finalized. Once this is completed, further activities such as road shows and tours will be organized.

LC: I am humbled by your gesture, and thank you very much.

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In its tour of national offices, the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Land Affairs included the DLA. It also visited the Department of Agriculture, the Agricultural Research Council, and the Land Bank.

The Committee led by its Chairperson, Chief Phathekile Holomisa, can be described as having been on an information gathering exercise. At the same time it provided some parental advice whenever there was a need.

On their visit to the DLA, the Director-General, Dr Gilingwe Mayende, welcomed them and made a comprehensive presentation to the Committee on the structure, the functions and policies of the Department. The vision and mission of the Department were part of the presentation.

All the components of the Department were represented by their managers in the session. Some managers were alleged to have cut short their leave in order to be present when the Committee arrived.

As expected, a session with parliamentarians does not go without a question time. In its own way, this part of the session can be described as having been the most interesting and curious. Issues related to under-spending specifically on redistribution and overspending in restitution came to the fore.

Project cycles were described as the major cause for under-spending. For instance, a redistribution project could be predicted to be reaching its completion at a specific time, but, bureaucratic rules and legal procedures would get in and make sure that there is a delay.

With restitution it was revealed that presently there are two claims in one province worth more the restitution budget and they can be settled at any moment. Surely, as soon as this happens, overspending will result.

Another interesting question that arose from the Members of Parliament (MPs), was on the decentralisation of the Department. There was a feeling that it served no purpose for all public servants to be congested in Pretoria, while there was no-one serving people in communities.

There was an argument that some of the people in some local offices did not have proper skills for the work they are doing. It was also mentioned that some offices are understaffed.

The Mutingati Project was described as an answer to understaffing and bringing services closer to people. It was conceded that many of the staff members of the DLA are constantly getting senior positions in other government departments.

Statistics on all the programmes of the Department was requested again and again. Something that has now become topical nowadays, the quantity of land registered in foreigners' names cropped up. But unfortunately, at that moment there was no answer to it.

Farm evictions did not become a hot potato, but it was agreed that ESTA has to be drastically overhauled. This was also true to labour tenants and the recommendations of the Tenure Conference held in Durban at the end of last year were acknowledged.

The Committee advised the Department not only to rely on State Land for its programmes and opt to sometimes buy privately owned land. But, there was a concern about the rocketing prices whenever the government becomes a buyer.

After this session the MPs visited Information Technology, Public Land Support Services and the Human Resource Management Call Centre. By then, it was in the afternoon and their questions were not as incisive as in the morning.

What one detected during the visit, was that the MPs were happy with the spirit of the DLA's policies and programmes. But they still have to be satisfied with their implementation, including LRAD.

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In motivating the DLA Disability Forum at its workshop at the end of last year, Ms Shanaaz Majiet said, in its work, it must not lose its momentum. Ms Majiet who now works for the Department of Water Affairs was the guest speaker at the workshop.

Ms Majiet said when looking at the DLA Disability Policy, she notices that there is a high level of commitment from the side of the Department's management in promoting the rights of the disabled. "There is a strong will, not because we are patronising, but because it is our responsibility to do so", she said.

"At the DLA, we have all the support we need. But, this needs someone to drive the process forward. He / She has to be accountable", she added.

Ms Majiet recommended that the Department takes stock of the following four critical areas:

• Relationships
• Equipment and the environment
• Attitudes, and
• Love

The workshop took place during the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence On Women. She conceded that the media at that time covered widely issues such as children being raped but there was little said about the abuses of the disabled women and children, even though they are vulnerable to such deeds.

The Transformation Programme Director, Mr Tshuba Mogashoa, tabling the successes around disability in the Department mentioned that the Forum has been able to:

• Adopt a disability policy
• Have a disability manager
• Establish a disability forum

Mr Mogashoa said the forum was established to advance the cause of the disabled. He conceded that 2001 had not been a good year for the forum and it had only met once.

"This was caused by the lack of resources. Many of the problems we had in the past have been solved and I am sure we will now be able to move forward and champion the rights of the disabled", he promised.

Mr Mogashoa said because the forum has the support of the DLA Management it would be able to move forward. "We must declare 2002 the year of action and at the end of this workshop we must have a clear programme", he said.

Mr Chris William-Wynn, the Department's Disability Manager, reported about his visits to the provinces. He also made a call for the establishment of a disability desk in the Department and recommended its placement at Transformation.

Mr Benny Padime from the Office on the Status of Disabled Persons in the Presidency told the workshop that they have made progress as a Department and have reviewed their progress and made new strategies. He referred to the Deputy-President 's, Jacob Zuma, speech on the International Day for the Disabled Persons, where he said, "Government has created a working partnership with the disability sector by putting in place mechanisms, policies, legislation and an institutional framework that seek to take positive steps in affirming people with disabilities".

Mr Padime mentioned a six part series that appeared on e-tv about championing disability rights. In that series they used ordinary people from the streets rather the high profile ones.

He said they have done research on standards of delivery. He agreed that in itself, is interesting.

Deputy Director-General, Sarah Choane, when making an overview of the workshop remarked that it would be good if the Department can assign someone dedicated to disability. She said the Department has to have someone monitoring activities around disability and encouraged the forum to meet regularly.

"The passion is there, but we need to tap into that inner interest. We have to set ourselves as an example and have at least five deliverables and put timeframes for them", she said.

"My suggestion is that we should move away from the policy formulation mould and get into the implementation spirit", she added.

Ms Choane said if the Department can have time for Shared Services Centres, it has to have time for disability. However, she cautioned that the Department does not have unlimited resources, and encouraged the forum to plan in order to get funds that are needed in assisting to have measurable deliverables.

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It is understandable that when disabled people re-examine their lives and discover that others have robbed and discriminated their humanity and dignity or seriously hampered their development as full people, are bound to be angry. But, anger should be wiped off our minds as the disabled, and stand up for our disability rights.

We must praise the Lord, God Almighty, for making us disabled. God created us for a purpose. He did not make a mistake. We must have no shame about our disability.

Even if there are some still discriminating against me, I have educated their children. They are the teachers because of my disability pension. Why do you keep on discriminating against me? Why don't you give me a decent job so that I can feed my family.

I'm not angry. I know that anger causes stress and stress may force me to act violently, and I am not a violent disabled man. I am a dignified disabled person who loves and respects himself, and very proud of his disability.

As people with disability we have to work very fast and hard to reassure disabled people who feel frustrated and dehumanized to be hopeful of the future. We have talked a lot about what could be done. Let us do something now about what should be done. What we should be doing is to follow the road to disability empowerment, instead of following the abled's thorny roads to disability discrimination and oppression.

As disabled we must feel free in our endeavours to solve the problems facing the disabled. We are all expected to play a role in the plotting of new ways into the future, where all South Africans , abled and disabled will share in the economic, social and political benefits of this rainbow nation.

Let me tell you one thing , it is not only the abled who fought for freedom, some of us are forgotten because they are not the best in making noise. Some of us cannot talk. We are the forgotten disabled community. Let me give an example that you can see. In South Africa there are holidays in honour of women, that is, the Women's Day and the Youth Day. What about the day of the disabled? Is this not discrimination? I'm crying for the day of the disabled.

We have a role to play in defending the disability freedom we fought so hard for. May be we should request the Transformation Office to transform the DLA staff to love their disabled. The war against disability discrimination is won on papers. Yesterday it was apartheid, today it is disability discrimination. This is a war for disability recognition . Yes, recognition and nothing else.

We have recognised who the major enemy is. The major enemy is your brother, sister , mother and father, your flesh who put these barriers for us. Please, recognise me I'm your brother, I must have a family like you. I must marry a wife like you. Then I will feel that I am a human being. I feel like crying when I write this article. It reminds me about the pains I endured when I was a little disabled boy , no abled boys wanted to play with me. Was it a discrimination or hatred? I do not know.

The person who played with me, was my best friend, Mr Peter Noko Dihangoane, popularly known as '' Stampa''. He used to advise me to be strong, and never undermine myself, and I did that. Our friendship started somewhere in 1976 and it is still there even today. I remember one day, as boys and girls, when we were playing hide and seek, singing the song entitled "Look at that boy, he's running away with my girl". Girls were choosing the boys of their dreams. To my surprise no girl chose me. In the middle of the night, all of them disappeared while I was standing there like a telephone pole. I was deeply hurt. Was it hatred or discrimination? Please human beings end disability discrimination now.

Let us forget about discrimination and focus on visible development. The Department of Land Affairs is a department that cares about the disabled. Since the arrival of Director-General Dr Gillingwe Mayende we have reaped palatable fruits. Some of the disabled persons are occupying key positions in the Department. We are saying thank you. At the same time I suggest that a permanent Disability Desk be established. The desk will bind every Director to account in terms of disability in the department.

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New ground was broken here in the Mpumalanga Provincial Land Reform Office in Nelspruit when for the first time in the history of the DLA, on its own, a PLRO organised an induction course for new people in the Department. The inductees came from the Provincial Office and the district offices of the DLA  in Mpumalanga.

The contents of the course included the following:

• The public servant
• The public service and human resource management
• Public finance management
• The DLA structure
• DLA policies and programmes
• Transformation

The Co-ordinator of the course, Ms Alice Matsane said in preparing for the course she recruited the assistance of practitioners throughout the public service including the National Office. In a way, this was different from the common practice of having people speaking about issues that they have no experience of, thus, sometimes handicapping them on crucial questions pertaining to the subject they are delivering.

Alice told Journal that she organised the course because there is a tendency among some public servants of saying they were not aware that things should be handled in a specific way. She said another weakness is that of taking for granted that others know even though they were never given room to acquire information.

"Initially we intended to introduce this course for all the staff, but we realised that the old staff members would be more advanced in specific areas than the new and then decided to separate the two groups. A course for the old staff is coming up soon", she said.

"After this course I expect people to stick to the rules and expectations of the employer. I also hope that they will take care of their conduct and responsibilities", she added.

Alice continued and stated that the presence of presenters from the Mpumalanga Premier's Office, in a way, displayed that the public service is more than just the DLA. She said this further showed the spirit of co-operative governance.

Mbuso Moloi, one of the inductees, admitted that the course is informative and the presenters seem to know their subjects. He said he has no doubt that they had properly prepared for it.

Mbuso said when he was first informed that he would be attending the course he did not see the need for it. He said the developments in the course had proven him wrong.

He said he felt more informed and saw the course as an advantage to his work as a planner. He said he was glad that he now knows that there are more benefits in the public service than just one's earnings.

Ms Annelie Hendrik said she started working for the DLA at the beginning of 1999 and had never attended any induction course. She said in the past she had been working in the private sector and knew nothing about the public service.

"This course has given me the correct information and I now understand how the public service operates. I recommend that it be availed as early as possible to anyone joining the public service", she said.

"I can always refer back to the documentation and other references that were availed to me. Furthermore, this course has given me a sense of belonging and I now know that I am part of the bigger public service and not just someone in a Mpumalanga provincial office of the Department of Land Affairs", she said.

"I am sure when we return back to our offices, we will be a single unit", she concluded.

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Labour Law is that law which governs the relationship between the employer and employee more especially on work related matters, although to some extent, personal matters are covered. The purpose of the act is to advance economic development, promote social justice, create labour harmony and peace in a workplace. All these can be achieved if all the parties involved are taking part. It is like a game where everybody should participate. Participation reveals hidden relations and obstacles which are targeted by the Labour Relations Act in our work place.

There are several ways in which we can be partakers.

Trade unions:

Most of the employees become members a trade union to be defended during misconduct or dismissal. A union is taken as a shield against the employer and not as another mechanism of uplifting the standard of the working environment. When coming to collective bargaining and the workplace forum this is worse, some employees are familiar with the names but do not know what these forums are for.

This is the most difficult one. Research has shown that there is a bearer line in joint decision-making between employers and employees. The common reason is that most of the employees are not aware that they are also players in the game of the employer and the employee, or you may find that the employees are aware that the employer is excluding them or vice versa.

The Labour Relations Act is applicable where there is a relationship between the employer and the employee which means that there must be an agreement (a contract of employment). It must be in writing. An oral one is still valid. An oral agreement creates problems in most cases. But a probation is one of the remedies. Other employers keep an employee for more than a year without confirming the employee's status. The implication thereof dictates that the employer has made his\her own evaluation without informing the employees. But, as long as he has executed a year that means the employer is satisfied with the performance of the employee. This is because a probation period should be reasonable, at least 3-6 months a year.

On exceptional reasons like in the DLA more than a year is a pure system of unfair labour practice. This method of not informing the employee or not hiring him\her permanently is practised everywhere in governmental departments, private companies, domestic workers and also in big supermarkets. An employee who has been in a working place for more than a reasonable period of probation is presumed to have had an oral agreement with the employer and their agreement is valid.

Unfaithfulness of the parties in the game defies the objective of the Act especially in the case where the employer is taking advantage by not complying with the Act. She\he ends up having  harsh punishment for compensation .

Most of the problems mentioned above are not attended to, and some are attended at a very slow pace, then the purpose of the LRA is not easily achieved. However we must put more effort to address that.

The employer has a duty as well as employees in the workplace. These rights and duties arise from the LRA, but, derived from common law principles. They are also found in contracts of employment.

The employer shall:

- receive and give an employee work

- provide self working conditions for the employee

- remunerate an employee

- supervise and provide training to the employee where necessary

-The employee shall carry out duties as required or per job description

-The employee shall use his best endeavours to promote and extend the business of the employer

-The employee shall comply with all the employer's reasonable rules, regulations, policies and procedures laid down from time to time, for the efficient and harmonious operation of the employer's business

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Considering 1999, with its winning reputation around Pretoria and the DLA, the year the Pretoria Surveyor-General/Deeds netball team was formed, it is relatively new and inexperienced. Notwithstanding that, there are very few teams that want to be pitted against it in the playing field.

The team was crowned the DLA champions in May 2000 at a DLA netball tournament in Cape Town. But unfortunately for it, it has not been given a chance to defend the championship.

The team's coach Monica Pretorius, said it is a pity that only her team's name appears on in the trophy. She said it would have been better if her team was able to prevent other team's names to be inscribed in the trophy from the netball court.

The team's management committee that looks after the activities of the team is structured as follows:

• Manager = vacant
• Secretary = Carol Nkwentsha
• Treasurer = Patricia Rathlogo
• PRO = Gladys Mahlo
• Coach = Monica Pretorius

Mention may be made here that Journal interviewed members of the team as a group. They were able to complement each other with their answers and those present were Patricia, Pinkie, Welhemina and Monica.

As an example, when they were asked as to what keeps them ticking, they respectively said, "The good team spirit!", "Discipline!", and "Dedication!".

"The fact that we still have a trophy to defend in the department also keeps us going", Monica said.

Outside the DLA netball programme the team has participated in a number of leagues and friendly matches. In 2000 it took part in the Wonder Waters Nite League and in 2001 it participated in a friendly tournament organised by Correctional Services.

In that tournament with the exception of the Surveyor-General /Deeds team, others participating were the staff of:

• Baviaanspoort Prison
• Central Prison, and
• Lesotho

The ladies admitted that this was the toughest tournament that they have ever been involved in. They agreed that they went there prepared, but things in the playing field deserved spontaneous tactics and improvisation by the players and the coach.

They conceded that this was not the first time that they had played teams unknown to them. But they think the Central Prison team had every trick in the book and was prepared for every move or counter move from their side.

"This is a team that we should have studied before we got into the field ", Monica said.

"The Lesotho team was also a tough nut to crack. They really kept us on our toes throughout our matches with them", Welhemina said.

When asked to explain their financial status and activities, Patricia said they have a R100-00 annual registration fee and a monthly R20-00 subscription fee all members pay. She said the Department partly sponsors them with transport.

"Last year our outfits were sponsored by MT Development managed by Irene Tsai", Monica chipped in.

Patricia also mentioned that there is a fund raising effort that they made wherein they sold a recipe book compiled by their offices. She said they received tremendous support in it.

"The funds enabled us to pay for our accommodation at Maseslpoort Holiday Resort during our Bloemfontein tournament last year and some travelling costs", she said.

Pinky reminded that they also sold grape and apple juice on Valentine's and Mother's Days. The interview was conducted on 2002 Valentine's Day.

When asked about the quality of her players, Monica said some of them are definitely provincial and national material. She mentioned Pinkie, Patricia, Gladys and Gertrude.

Pinkie, a tactical defender, said it would be a great honour to serve her province or country in the netball court. She said this would also be another page in the history books because in those teams she would be hoisting high the flag of her department.

The ladies paid tribute to Chris van Dyk, the Pretoria Surveyor - General, agreeing that he is always there for them. They said whenever there is a chance, he accompanies them to their matches, ready to assist with anything.

They said they also receive the same support from Mr Sam Lefafa, the Pretoria Deeds Registrar. They said the greater part of the transport responsibility was shouldered by his unit.

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While some may have seen it in television and others heard about it from the radio, nobody knew outside the Eastern Cape DLA Provincial Land Reform Offices, that the DLA was represented in the PPC Spoornet Great Train Race last year. Vuyani Nqweniso (VN) who participated in the race against the Apple Express, shared some of the moments of the race with T K Sonjica (TK) from Journal and this is how the conversation went:

TK : How long is the race and from which towns does it begin and end?

VN : The race is run in Port Elizabeth. It begins at the City Centre (Humewood) and ends at Loerie. It is run as a relay race shared among 10 runners.

TK : How long have you been participating in the race?

VN : This was my ninth time, but first for the DLA. I have been running with other teams in the past.

TK : How was your team composed?

VN : Our team consisted of runners from all the Land Reform offices in the Eastern Cape. We had both males and females participating and are:

1. Myself
2. Charlie Josephs
3. Peliwe Njemla (f)
4. Monde Sukula
5. Siyasanga Damane (f)
6. Arthur Yeko
7. David Alexander
8. Mike Coleman
9. Mark Slinger
10. Matilda Smith (f)

TK : What kind of support did you get from the Department and some of your colleagues in the Department?

VN : In races like these there is a time when one needs moral support and encouragement. Our colleagues from the Port Elizabeth Land Reform Office were always there for us cheering us right through.

The Department provided us with transport, accommodation and meals.

TK : As a team, how serious did you take the race?

VN : We prepared for the race well. Losing is something else, but by the time we started we were ready. I may as well say, we also took the race as a teambuilding exercise. In a number of ways I can say our supporters must have understood how the runners needed them. At the same time the supporters felt the disappointment of losing even though they were not the runners on the day. In other words, they shared the pain of losing with us. I do not think we could have finished the race without their inspiration.

TK : As someone who has been participating in the race for some time you must be well acquainted with its tough and easy corners. Can you run us through the legs of the race indicating which ones you regard as tough?

VN : From the first to the third, they are easy because they are flat. But from the fourth to the ninth they are difficult and really test one's fitness. The last leg is another easy one because it is a flat down and one encounters no problems, except the other competitors.

The seventh leg, which has Van Staden's Pass, is the most difficult one. It tests a runner to the full. It is about five kilometres, but that short distance is about 100 kilometres in the race. It has a one kilometre downward stretch and a four kilometre ascent. Surely it needs proper planning before one takes it. Anyone who is unfit cannot take chances with it.

TK : What structure does your team have and what are the functions of those you have appointed?

VN : Presently our team has no formal structure. Charlie Josephs and myself, with the full co-operation of our colleagues, are co-ordinating the activities of the team. We have already registered to participate in the PPC Spoornet Great Train Race for 2002 later in the year.

It is also our wish to have more than a single team in the race. Perhaps even the team at National Office, or others can join us in the race. I understand that some of the guys in the National Office team participate in the Comrades Marathon.

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Potpourri

Elsewhere in this publication you will read about the Office of the Pretoria Surveyor-General / the Deeds Registrar having sold a recipe book in support of their netball team. The book is entitled Potpourri.

The preface to the book states that the idea of the book symbolises the diversity of the employees at the SG/Deeds offices. "This also reflects in the title of the book 'Potpouri', which means 'strange variety', " the preface adds.

"We believe that each one that invests in buying this book will find more than a few recipes, which will become family favourites". This is the line that really urged me to get a copy of it and I have not been disappointed yet.

The book acknowledges all contributors and sponsors for its existence. It has an explanation on measurements and abbreviations.

The recipes are grouped as follows:

• Soups, starters and sauces
• Fish and seafood
• Meat recipes
• Chicken recipes
• Light meals and pasta
• Vegetables and salads
• Hot and cold puddings
• Cakes and muffins
• Sweet and savoury tarts
• Biscuits, loaves and bread
• Miscellaneous

Finding a recipe of one's choice will not be a problem because the book has an index. It has hints and tips on a variety of household problems. There are two hints or tips that I have already tested whether they work or not. The first one is getting rid of ballpoint pen marks on my clothing; and the second is keeping away Pretoria cockroaches from my flat.

On the recipes themselves, I have already prepared myself a seafood potjie, a traditional cape fish bobotie, a light chicken meal, baked beans and pasta, and an oxtail potjie. I am sure during the Easter I will be testing many in the book for the whole family.

An interesting recipe by Martin Ngoetjana for pap en sous and vetkoek reads as follows: "Go out to the caravan and / or the vetkoek lady on the pavement and buy as much pap and vetkoek as you want. Eat with enjoyment".

For me, the book has saved a penny or two. I am sure it can also do the same to you.

The book sells at a lousy R20 -00 and those having interest in it can contact Monica Pretorius at (012) 303 - 1616 (W). It is a bargain.

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When celebrating her 25^th year as a public servant here in Pretoria, Suzanna Jacoba Fourie, popularly known as Suzette, told her colleagues at Restitution that "You are never too old to learn". This was not a formal celebration but a low profile event that had many of the goodies.

On behalf of his colleagues, Dawid Bestbier congratulated Suzette with her unblemished service. He encouraged the young to strive for a service like Suzette's.

Suzette started working for the government on the 18 January 1977 at the then Public Service Commission (now the Commission for Administration), as an Administrative Assistant. Through the years she also worked for the Department of Water Affairs, the Office of the State President and now the DLA. She rose through the ranks and she is now an Assistant Director.

She is an alumnus of Potchefstroom University with special emphasis around commerce. She also did secretarial studies.

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The need for a single node from where all land and land-related information can be easily accessed can no longer be overlooked because access to information impacts directly on the land delivery process, that is, informed decisions on restitution, redistribution and land tenure can only be made on accurate and easily accessible information. Also, the implementation of the Corporate Data Warehouse is a key project, which aims to provide a coherent framework for the development of an Integrated Information System for the Department and would fulfill the requirements of Chapter 1, Part III, Section E of the Public Service Regulations (Information resources planning).

The need for a Corporate Data Warehouse is one of the most bold and significant proposals that have emerged from the Information Management Strategy Project.

DLA's Spatial Corporate Data Warehouse is envisaged as a single read-only access node from where all land and land-related information is made accessible to line functionaries and managers who require it. The mandate for the Spatial Warehouse is contained in various strategy documents within the Department. The implementation of the Spatial Warehouse is dogged by similar initiatives within government, and a lack of genuine commitment from some quarters within the Department. Nevertheless, the progress of the Spatial Warehouse to date indicates that the Spatial Warehouse is poised to leverage the business intelligence needed to support land reform in South Africa.

The advances in technology have broadened the possibilities in terms of data warehousing. Initially many data warehouses were started as a centralised repository with integrated data for decision support. More recently, data warehousing increasingly focuses on Customer Relationship Management (CRM), E-commerce and Business Intelligence (BI). The following two definitions by authoritative researchers in the field of data warehousing are useful.

Michael J. Corey and Michael Abbey (1997) define data warehousing as "… a collection of corporate information, derived directly from operational systems and some external data sources. Its specific purpose is to support business decisions, not business operations".

On the other end Bill Inmon (1998) prefer to refer to it as " a subject-oriented, integrated, non-volatile and time-variant collection of data in support of management's decisions".

Depending on your environment, the above definitions and numerous others can be correct. However, the following elements are essential to any definition of data warehousing in today's highly charged business world:

(i) End user access to enterprise information via a single node or gateway

(ii) End user requires browser skills

(iii) Simple query and report tools

(iv) Summary reports

In the context of the Department of Land Affairs (DLA) the Spatial Warehouse is envisaged as a single read-only access node from which all land and land-related information would be made accessible to line functionaries and managers in predefined summary reports deployed via the web.

There are many reasons, however three of the most important are presented hereunder:

(i) One stop-shop for all land and land-related information, inexpensively via the web

(ii) Summary reports (spatial, non-spatial, corporate) available to managers and line functionaries who require it

(iii) DLA's Land Barometer (web pages) becomes a reality, as quick snapshots of the various land reform programmes are made available

(iv) Summarized reports that contain strategic corporate information to leverage the necessary Business Intelligence (BI) to support strategic land reform planning

Why does the data warehouse need to have a spatial focus?Why does the data warehouse need to have a spatial focus?

The land parcels have an inherent geographical element, which is the geographic reference (xy position) to the earth. All other information (owner, price, agricultural potential and land use etc) are merely attribute information, which is linked to its spatial information).

The greatest challenge in calculating the Return On Investment (ROI) is the ability to quantify the benefits of the Spatial Warehouse in financial terms. Jill Dyche's attempts to elucidate this complexity by separating the tangible from the intangible benefits. She indicates that even though decision support can ultimately deliver thousands or millions of dollars in direct savings or revenue growth, it isn't usually recognised and there are virtually no established metrics on which to base the success of Decision Support System (DSS) (J Dyche' 2000). This complexity in terms of land reform in South Africa is nevertheless, best illustrative by the following two questions.

(i) What is the cost of an incorrect relocation of a community?

(ii) What is the cost to the country in the case of injudicious use of grazing or agricultural land?

The following examples provide some justification for the Spatial Warehouse and its potential return on investment.

(i) Scalable architecture of the warehouse means that all reports would be deployed over the web inexpensively.

(ii) Internet browser skills required for bulk of the users, means that extra training cost is minimal.

(iii) Save on IT costs as the duplication of data storage is reduced.

(iv) The potential for emergent GIS units in other business areas are reduced as spatial information is deployed inexpensively over the web.

To quote Curt Hall (2001), "Business Intelligence is the process of selectively collecting data from operational/transactional systems. The data is then transformed into useful information, which is delivered in a timely fashion to the people who need it, facilitating effective decision making".

The envisaged Spatial Warehouse would be able to leverage the necessary business intelligence to support decision-making with respect to land reform as well as assist senior management with strategic corporate decision-making.

There are a variety of data mining and report generation tools that allow the end user to easily retrieve data and compile reports to their specification. The summarized reports, which would invariably contain information from the various operational systems, once integrated and presented in a user-friendly and visual manner would have the potential to:

(i) provide responses to corporate questions of a spatial and non-spatial nature

(ii) provide opportunities for setting targets and allocating resources

Hereunder the pro-active identification of superfluous state land, upgrading of tenure rights and the integrated development work areas of the Department are used to demonstrate the potential of the Spatial Warehouse to leverage the necessary business intelligence for strategic decision-making.

Pro-active identification of superfluous state land

With regard to the pro-active identification of superfluous state land the Spatial Warehouse should be able to respond to the following corporate questions:

(i) How many hectares of potential superfluous state land is used for land reform projects?

(ii) What is the cost savings to the Department and the taxpayer in this case?

(iii) Where are superfluous state land parcels that have the potential for housing or agricultural projects in each province?

(iv) How much of state land was redistributed since 1994?

(v) What target can be set for each province next year?

 

Upgrading of Tenure Rights

Knowing the spatial extent of potential cases for upgrading of tenure rights would shed some light on the magnitude of the challenge and the resources required. The Spatial Warehouse should be able to respond to the following corporate questions:

(i) Which land parcels are state owned and are occupied by informal settlements in each province?

(ii) Where are the tribal land claims in each province that have the potential to be settled?

Integrated Development Planning (IDP)

The analysis of land reform initiatives in relation to transport and other support infrastructure would provide a good indication of factors that would facilitate or retard the projects chances of success. For example, the lack of or inadequate road and railway infrastructure would impact negatively on a proposed agricultural project. The Spatial Warehouse should be able to deliver integrated spatial information to assist with decision-making in terms of infrastructure support, grazing potential and crop potential for the proposed project sites.

The implementation of the Spatial Warehouse will invariably change the way the Department captures, stores, maintains and shares data. This would mean that there would be standards, which must be adhered to. Also enterprise sharing of data means that the data is now a corporate resource. The above scenario is scary, since many managers and officials would feel in varying degrees that:

* data security would be compromised

* loss of line function duties

* Loss of control of data

* audit on their work and

* loss of power

Data security is compromised

There are various levels at which security measures can be implemented in the Spatial Warehouse. Security measures can be implemented from the database level to the client's web-browser. It is a fallacy that data security would be compromised. In fact, the backup, disaster recovery and other measures that would be implemented as a result of the Spatial Warehouse initiative may offer more security than is presently the case.

Loss of line function duties

The data warehouse would not replace the legacy systems and in-house systems. Instead the Spatial Warehouse would be dependent on these operational systems for data. As a result, the officials who use and maintain these systems would not be affected. To the contrary, the Spatial Warehouse would be able to assist line functionaries with summary reports that they require.

Loss of control of data

The data held in the operational systems would still be the responsibility of those who are custodians of the data. As a result they are still responsible for all aspects of the data.

Audit on work

Working in an enterprise environment is bound to reveal whether standards for data management have been adhered to or are ignored by components within the organisation. The implementation of the Spatial Warehouse should be seen as an opportunity to implement proper data management guidelines and not as an audit on any components data.

Information is power

Giving access to data is not easy if you believe that information is power. This misnomer needs to be turned around. The more access to data the better opportunity there is to improve the integrity of the data.

The Spatial Warehouse would give impetus to efficient ways of working with data and managing corporate information. In very simple terms, line function data would become a corporate resource. Standards for data management would be consistent across the Department. In terms of organisation culture, what may be termed as, 'Data Consciousness' needs to be integrated into everyday work processes, to ensure that we manage data as a strategic asset and not as a once off variable to meet a particular end. By 'data consciousness' is meant, a respect for rules that govern the capture, usage and storage of data from which meaningful information can be churned out.

Finally, there has been an exponential increase in the need for information. This in turn has led to the proliferation of GIS systems, executive systems, corporate systems, all of which aim to provide managers with information in an easy to use and friendly manner. In the case of the Department of Land Affairs, which has data that is held in various systems that often do not inter-operate, the Spatial Warehouse provides an opportunity to integrate all this data using available Oracle ORDBMS and GIS tools. Since the Spatial Warehouse cuts across all business areas it is definitely poised to leverage the necessary Business Intelligence to support land reform.

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I am an agent, an agent of peace,

an agent to redress imbalances in land ownership.

I was mentally blind,

I asked what restitution is,

no answer was given, instead I was trained,

trained to restore land,

trained to redress imbalances in land ownership,

most of all I was trained to tell,

to tell the story of restitution.

If I can make a difference,

I will do my best and I will do it now,

for tomorrow does not exist.

I will restore and I will tell the story,

I will do it now,

for I will not pass through this way again.

I am an agent, an agent of an agreement,

an agreement signed between the people and the government.

They agreed that land would be restored,

restored to the victims of the inequalities of the previous rule.

I am assigned to deliver the promise of the Constitution.

Though the borders of time are tightening around me,

I must be accurate and I must also hurry,

the waiting has been too long!

Because I will not pass this way again,

I strive to be perfect

and adhere to the laws and Acts that govern my mission.

I am an agent, an agent of the African Renaissance.

I will promote the thought,

and I will achieve my objectives

only if I restore the dignity of an African,

his dignity is in land ownership.

I am an agent, an agent of sustainable development.

When I restore land I will do so with passion,

I will ensure that the recipients of land protect and develop it.

My footprints will be indelible in the dry soil of the Northern Cape

and all parts of the country.

I will equip them with skills and resources,

but what I will supply to them cannot supercede what they already have –

passion for land.

For they say:

If I have the soil I will eat,

I will sleep,

I will also live,

but most of all I will belong.

My being starts and ends in the soil.

I was created from the soil and when I die,

I will be buried in the soil.

Give me the soil and I promise to give you my loyalty.

My country will not go hungry;

I will produce enough for my neighbour,

my fellow man and myself.

I will plant the trees and the flowers,

my animals will graze the grass and fertilize the soil

and ecology will be restored together with my dignity.

The sight of agriculturally developed land will attract tourists,

they will want the taste of freshness from the soil

and my brother will guide them through our beautiful land,

Home, he will bring bread for his children.

My sister will sew African beads and cook Sepatlapatla for them

and at home she will bring joy.

I am an agent of tourism

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The article by John Lambert entitled African reasons for purchasing land in Natal in the late 19^th and 20^th centuries, is an interesting piece. One was surprised to note that some of what one may think is new in the country now, has in actual fact happened before. There can be no reason not to say history is repeating itself.

After a somewhat, lengthy introduction, the article talks about the original attitudes to individual tenure. This is subdivided into the following subheadings:

• Traditional attitudes
• Settler attitudes
• Other sub-titles of the article are:
• African purchases of land specifically for individual tenure
• Purchases of land by African syndicates
• Purchases of land by the kholwa elite (kholwa = believers)
• As one reads on, the language becomes familiar with what is topical when land reform is discussed these days. The following extracts are some of those that I think in one way or another, ring a bell:

* "The population of both sectors was growing and with much land still tied up by absentee landowners(my own emphasis) such as the Natal Land Colonisation Company, it was becoming difficult to find lands to purchase"

* "Equally important was the encouragement the administration gave to African purchasers, despite an initial reluctance to allow individual homestead Africans to bid in case this weakened homestead society and endangered the chief's powers of distribution"

* "The growing population meant that chiefs were finding it harder to allocate land for imizi (homes), and access to grazing was becoming restricted"

* "... if their followers were given the right to hold land under individual tenure, it would 'destroy our powers as chiefs', "

* "Settlers and Indian Agriculturalists were now using land previously farmed by African labour and rent tenants in the process evicting the tenants from the land(my own emphasis)"

* "... there was often no place to which the evicted people could move other than the already overpopulated reserves"

I am sure after reading this you may be saying, "I have heard that song before. Fair enough, the words may not have been identical, but the meaning is the same".

In the discussion, the role and influence of the church in land matters and ownership is very significant. It is an open secret that churches in South Africa own substantial tracts of land. This means they are stakeholders as far as land is concerned. They can never be ignored in any debates around land. In the same spirit, they can also not run away from any argument that revolves around land in this country.

Concepts on individual and group land ownership are part of the article. The two concepts aptly portray the differences between African and Western methods of land ownership. Be that as it may, the Western methods dominate and the African methods respond to the dictates of the West.

In the discussion on Purchase of land by African syndicates I met some revelations. To reflect on one of them, I will say in my rural community in the Eastern Cape, there were three families that were occupying a small holding which I believe was bought as a syndicate by great grand-fathers of the families. Around 1978, one family decided to evict the others from the land. The title deed was registered in their great grand-father and not, the three great grand-fathers. There was no record that about the involvement of the other families in the purchase of the property.

Lastly, Lambert's footnotes provoke one's curiosity. For me, AFRA's "From Removals to Development", Etherington's "Preachers, Peasants and PoliticsY : African Christian Communities in Natal, Pondoland and Zululand, Lambert's "Betrayed Trust : Africans and the State in Colonial Natal", and Meintjies' "Edendale, Y Rural Transformation and Class Formation in an African Mission in Natal" look very interesting. Presently, I am running around trying to get them.

[The article appears in Kleio XXXI 1999, a Journal of the Department of History in Unisa, on Unisa On Line].

Please be aware that the Old Building has First Aid boxes and are the white metal boxes with a green cross, mounted in the passages of each floor (two boxes per floor).

Each box has a sticker with the particulars of the contact person who has received training on First Aid.

The following items are in each box :

• Crepe bandages
• Triangular bandages
• Gause swabs
• Wound dressings
• Neck support
• Wooden splinters
• Painamol tablets (expiry date to be monitored)
• Massage ointment, "Rub Rub"
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Safety pins
• Eye bath & kidney dish

Appointed contact persons will be responsible for checking and controlling the contents of these boxes. The South and the North Blocks will get their boxes in the new financial year.

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The Department of Home Affairs which occupies most of the floors at both the South and North buildings has been declared a National Key Point. This is a because of the installation of the new I D books system and the upgrading of the security system.

A department that has been declared a National Key Point needs a more sophisticated security system and would be very strict with regard to the control of movement or access control into/within its premises. Therefore, for them to meet the requirements of the National Key Points Act, the Department of Land Affairs staff is reminded to expect the following services from them:

• DLA employees who make use of the South Block entrance or the link on the 2nd floor of the Old Building will be requested to identify themselves positively. That is, they should show the security officer on duty their ID Card with photo on request.

• Visitors should be collected and returned by the host to the security point .

• No access will be allowed if paragraphs 1&2 are not adhered to.

• A security officer will be permanently placed at the 2nd floor link to scan containers and control access.

Co-operation is requested from all the DLA staff.

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The following titles are the latest additions to the Resource Centre's catalouge:

1.Can Africa claim the 21^st century? Published by the World Bank

2.Land law by Judith-Ann Mackenzie and Mary Phillips

3.Preston and Newsom's restrictive convenants affecting freehold land, 9^th edition by G L Newsom

4. Restrictive covenants over freehold land : a practitioner's guide

By A J Francis

5. Bransley's land options, 3^rd edition

By Castle, Richard

6. Custodians of the commons: pastoral land tenure in East and West Africa Edited by Lane, Charles, R