Just over two-thirds of South Africans think that black farmers on state-owned land should be given title to that land. This emerged from a Social Research Foundation (SRF) poll of 1 004 South Africans, conducted in June of this year.

The survey put the following question to respondents: “Imagine a black South African farmer lives and works on a piece of state-owned land, that is leased to the farmer by the government; do you think that farmer should be given a title deed to that piece of land, so that he could own it himself, or not?”

Participants were given four options as responses: “Yes, straight away”, “Yes, only if he has stayed there a long time”, “No, the government is best placed to use that land fairly and for the benefit of all, over time” and “No, under no circumstances.”

Amongst all South Africans, 23.6% thought that the farmers should be given title straight away and a further 42.8% thought that they should get title if they had stayed on the land they farmed for a long time. This means that 66.4% of all South Africans support the granting of title.

This view was held by strong majorities regardless of race, home language, income, education, employment and party affiliation.

Sixteen percent thought that the government was best placed to use the land and 13.7% said that under no circumstances should the farmers be given title. In total 29.7% were, therefore, opposed to black farmers receiving title to the land they farm.