Security of Tenure: The Customary/Common Law Interplay

Can customary land rights really compete on the same level as those of the common law?_____________________________

Samantha Woods

OUTLINE:

The Mystery of Capital The South African Context

Formal RegistrationRural Land Tenure

– Legislation– Custom

PienaarCousins

OUTLINE CONTINUED

Case law International trends Conclusion

THE MYSTERY OF CAPITAL – HERNANDO DE SOTO

Economic developmentThe ‘West’ v the ‘East’Wealth creationSecuring a loan to generate capital

• Requires: COLLATERAL!!!• Solution: Registered right in immovable

property!!!

THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT

Registerable rights:

Real right of ownershipLimited real right

= Security of Tenure

= Collateral

THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT CONTINUED

Rural Land TenureCustom

• Fragmented…• … but equal• Not registered…• … but alternatively enforced

= NO Registration= NO Security of Tenure

= NO Collateral!!!

THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT CONTINUED

Legislation• S 25(6) of The Constitution of the RSA• The Communal Property Associations Act 28 of

1996• The Extension of security of Tenure Act 62 of

1997

= NO Registration

= NO Security of Tenure

= NO Collateral!!!

THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT CONTINUED

Gerrit PienaarThe Registration of Fragmented Use-Rights

as a Developmental Tool in Rural Areas• Custom/Statute + Registration

= Registration

= Security of Tenure

= Collateral!!!

THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT CONTINUED

Ventura/Mohamed Model:

THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT CONTINUED

Ben Cousins “Embeddedness” versus Titling: African Land

Tenure Systems…• Characteristics prevent registration• Land tenure = embedded in social and political

relationships = different entitlements and obligations

= NEVER Registration

- Security of Tenure????

STILL TO FOLLOW:

Case Law International Trends Conclusion

= The End- Thank you

BIBLIOGRAPHYLiterature Another Countryside? Policy Options for Land and Agrarian Reform in

South Africa. Edited by Ruth Hall. PLAAS-UWC, 2009 Cousins et al. Will formalising property rights reduce poverty in South

Africa’s sesond economy? Plaas Policy no.18 2008 Cousins, B. “Embeddedness” versus Titling De Soto, H. The Mystery of Capital. Basic Book, 2000 Pienaar, G. Registration of informal land-use rights in South Africa

TSAR 2000.3 Pienaar, G. The Land Titling Debate in South Africa TSAR 2006.3 Pienaar, G. Aspects of Land Administration in the Context of Good

Governance. PER/PEJL 2009(12)2 Legislation The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996 - s25(6) The Communal Property Associations Act 28 of 1996 The Extension of security of Tenure Act 62 of 1997