Land management system implemented at Barolong Boo Seleka in collaboration with AfriForum

AfriForum and Kgosi Gaboilelwe Moroka of the Barolong Boo Seleka Traditional Community of Thaba ’Nchu today announced the implementation of an online land management system for the management of the land of the traditional community. The land management system was developed by Joulco Square in collaboration with AfriForum.

The land management system entails, amongst others, the following:

• All the properties of the community are visible on an online map.
• Every individual property can be managed on its own.
• Properties can be subdivided, and portions can be allocated to persons or legal entities.
• The contract of every property or portion is saved on the system.
• The availability of individual properties or portions can easily be established.
• The system serves as planning tool because it is possible to reserve specific areas for specific purposes such as residential, agricultural etc.
• The system provides a warning when an existing contract or utilisation right lapses.
• The system is designed so that land management can be decentralised if desired.

“We are focussing on water, energy, community safety and agriculture as the four pillars for the development of Thaba ’Nchu. Development and successful agricultural projects are impossible without surety of land and proper land management, this land management system will enable us to manage our land and will also make proper planning possible. It will take time and hard work to fully implement the system, but it will be a trigger for development. Both the rights of individuals and the community must be served – this system will make it possible to do exactly that. It is a privilege for Barolong Boo Seleka to serve as an example of self management for other traditional communities,” says Kgosi Gabo Moroka, kgosi of the Barolong Boo Seleka Traditional Community.

“We are excited about this launch project and are convinced that it will also benefit other communities in the future. The system is developed so that it can be utilised for the management of a few farms or a large area that consists of various properties or areas. The utilisation of the system will be beneficial for landowners such as community property associations, commercial farmers or large landowners such as the Ingonyama Trust or even the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. There are many that complain and that even go to court due to the challenges presented by the management of land that is owned, used or managed by communities, nobody however came up with a solution. AfriForum and Joulco Square now offer this solution that will assist with the proper management of community land,” says Barend Uys, Head of Intercultural Relations and Cooperation at AfriForum.

The launch project at Thaba ’Nchu includes the refinement of the system that will aid in seamless implementation for other communities and institutions. The system can be customised for communities or institutions that are interested in its use.