Nkuzi is a non -profit section 21company (97 2074343/08) providing a range of support services to historically-disadvantaged communities wishing to improve their rights and access to land. Nkuzi started operating early in 1997 and now has 20 full time staff working throughout the Limpopo Province, northern parts of Mpumalanga Province and with farm residents in Gauteng Province.

Realisation of this vision is sought through the mission and goals that Nkuzi has set and which are applied across all of the organization 's programmes:

• Landless People are empowered to drive land reform process which shifts power relations so that the poor, rural and landless access and utilize land equitably and effectively
• Farm residents worked with are informed of their land and related rights and are assisted to exercise those rights.
• An improved level of debate among key stakeholders on pro-poor agrarian strategies and their implementation.
• Quality legal and paralegal support available to enable the poor and landless people to exercise their land other human rights.
• Nkuzi has sufficient resources, effectively managed and implement proper monitoring mechanisms.

Nkuzi remains focused on four main programme areas that are implemented and outlined here. These are Land Reform Implementation, Farm Dweller, Research and Policy, and Legal Services. The land Reform Implementation programme has small projects such as Community Organizing and Training and Sustainable Livelihoods Promotion and Support. Research and Policy has a sub project Area Land Reform Initiative which is exploring new ways of addressing landlessness in the country. These are all supported by Administration and Finance which forms a fifth area of work.

In rendering services Nkuzi's approach is to gave advice and support to land reform projects and farm residents; dissemination of information regarding land rights and land reform issues; organizing training and ongoing education to build capacity within land reform projects; carrying out research and advocacy work related to reform policy issues; providing legal services where needed, and providing land use and agricultural advice and support that is environmentally sensitive to those who receive the land.

Principles

In its operations Nkuzi is bound by the following set of principles:

• Equal rights, respect and equal treatment for all regardless of race, ethnic origin, sexual preference or political persuasion. In order to fulfil this principle Nkuzi will be actively anti-racist and anti-sexist and work towards redressing inequalities within society that are based on racial, sexual or other prejudices.
• People 's right to be involved in their own development and have their say in issues which affect their lives. In order to fulfil this principle Nkuzi will actively seek to engage people in decision making around developments which will affect them.
• The right of all to a life of dignity which requires a reasonable level of housing ; food, security, comfort, education and opportunities of dignified work. In order to fulfil this Nkuzi will work to eradicate inequalities and injustices in society which have prevented people having a life of dignity.

 

Nkuzi Summary Achievements

Nkuzi has engaged with the three legs of land reform (Restitution, Redistribution and Tenure Reform) in Limpopo Province since its establishment in 1997. From May 2000 Nkuzi has also worked with farm residents in the Gauteng Province. A great deal has been learnt in this time, and Nkuzi has gained a reputation for assisting marginalized communities in their struggle for recognition of their land rights. Nkuzi has taken more responsibility in assisting beneficiaries of land restitution and land redistribution. We have also carried out contract work on behalf of government and other institutions to expedite land reform. Nkuzi has assisted thousands of farm dwellers who have faced eviction and violation of human rights through out Limpopo and Gauteng Province. One of the successes of this programme in conjunction of with the Legal Unit has been precedent setting case won in the Land Claims courts which compel the government to provide legal representation to farm workers. This has led to establishment of justice centres in rural areas. The Legal Unit of Nkuzi has won many cases in court representing farm workers but also helped farm workers during negotiations with land owners. The Research and Policy unit has recent publish a report on extent of farm evictions and its impact since 1994 titled "Still searching for security". The organization has contributed to the national debates on land on numerous ways. There are a number of land reform beneficiary projects that are already producing on land through the assistance from the Sustainable Livelihoods Projects of Nkuzi.

Area of Expertise

Nkuzi's vision is to enable and support marginalized rural and peri -urban communities in exercising their land and related rights. The aim is to facilitate the acquisition of land and its productive and sustainable use. The overall strategy of Nkuzi in assisting communities to gain access to land and exercise their rights is detailed underneath.

Nkuzi Programmes

• Admin and Finance
• Sustainable Livelihoods
• Restitution
• Farm Dweller Support
• Research and Policy
• Legal Services
• Gender
• HIV/AIDS
• Lobbying and Advocacy

 

Overall Strategy

Nkuzi believes in building on peoples existing skills and adding new skills through sharing and exposing people to different approaches.

Nkuzi does not see itself as providing expertise in all areas, but rather facilitating contact with resource people and organization as required by communities. Facilitates exchange programs between communities facing similar situations in order to directly share experiences and to problems.

In rendering services Nkuzi's approach is to give advice and support to land reform projects and farm residents; dissemination and information regarding land rights and land reform issues; providing legal services where needed; and providing land use and agricultural advice and support that is environmentally sensitive to those that receive the land.