Mzingaye Brilliant Xaba – The Conversation

A 2025 march to support communities opposing seismic surveys and oil exploration rights. Ihsaan Haffejee/GroundUp

March 18, 2026

Mining companies and land rights in South Africa: how environmentalists have used the law to defend communities

Mzingaye Brilliant Xaba, National University of Lesotho

Environmentalists from all walks of life in South Africa are notching up an impressive set of wins against the state and big mining companies, research has found.

Lack of support for beneficiaries of land reform in South Africa has seen many new farmers fail to live off the land. Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters

December 5, 2016

South Africa’s land reform efforts lack a focus on struggling farmers

Mzingaye Brilliant Xaba, Rhodes University and Monty J. Roodt, Rhodes University

South Africa’s government makes much of its efforts of putting more land in the hands of the previously disenfranchised black majority. Yet, many beneficiaries continue to wallow in poverty.

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