Decolonization is always a disruptive phenomenon: On social movements and the decolonial turn in constitutional theory – 15 Mar h 2019 – Prof Tshepo Madlingozi
On the post-colonial – your post conquest constitutional, what needs to be done: the dismantlement of the state and the dismantlement of the entrenchment world of difference. So, I want to take this and direct contextually to the land question.
What will be the post-colonial conquest on the constitution as it related to Land question? What does it mean to return the land? Who is it been returned to?
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My view is that amendment to the constitution is a decolonial project or does it further colonialization? And I argue that amendment to the constitution furthers colonization.
I am saying the land must be shared, but I am not talking about Freedom Charter. Land must be shared. At present, 80% of land is owned by white people, who constitute 8% of South African population. That cannot be, 80% of land taken by 8% of the population. It can’t be and it is unfair. It is a historical injustice. But most important it is a recipe for war. No doubt about that, it is a ticking bomb.
So, the land must be shared, but I am not for restitution. If restitution means my family was displaced in the Free state, my family was displaced here give us back this land. I am saying such a scheme leads to balkanization once again. Now people say those people were displaced, they still live with a memory of offense. Something needs to be done. What do we do?
I think, I support land reform programme where the land is shared equitable, and of course it will mean more black people got more land than other groups of people. Some of us don’t want land, I just want to teach and DJ. So, I don’t want land. Those who want land, those that know what they are going to do with land, they must have the land. But I am not for land restitution.
