Class, land and poverty: a study of the class dynamics of land dispossession and land restitution in Dysselsdorp

Abstract

This study aimed to contribute towards understanding how the dynamics of class formation and differentiation impact on and are in turn impacted upon by land restitution processes. It was conducted against the backdrop of both land reform and restitution programmes of the democratic government being viewed by communities, scholars, commentators, civil society and opposition parties as generally a failure.The objectives of the study were twofold: firstly to develop a view of the class structure before and after land restitution in Dysselsdorp and, secondly, to consider the different ways in which classes were differentiated, combined and reconstituted to different effect in relation to the three restitution models.