In the end is the beginning

So we arrive at the end of this phase of our learning journey. We have faced many challenges, but we have succeeded in compiling a detailed and collaborative plan for the Matzikama Local Municipality, which include a set of area subplans. This plan also includes specific institutional proposals to enable co-ordinated implementation.

In addition:

• We have reviewed key trends in international development planning and the evolution of area based planning for land reform.
• We have documented our methodology in developing the ABP for Matzikama Local Municipality.
• We have identified the key elements of a shared data and information framework.
• We have examined the role of local government in relation to land reform planning and implementation.
• We have recommended twenty actions which can be be taken to promote smallholder and employment intensive land reform.
• We have examined the overall capacity needed to plan and implement land reform.

The ball has now been passed
The outputs described above (which will soon be available on the CBPEP website) result from the many hundred hours contributed by scores of different actors who have assisted the Phuhlisani team in many different ways. In particular we to wish to thank:

• Our project steering committee chaired by the Head of the  Jobs Fund, the Minister's representative, the then acting DALRRD Chief Director in the Western Cape, the then Director of Agriculture Producer Development Support in the Western Cape Provincial Department of Agriculture, together with the  CBPEP and the EU representatives.
• The Head: of the Project Management Office at  the Presidency.
• The smallholders and black commercial farmers in vastly different settings, all seeking to access land and obtain support to expand their livelihood opportunities and grow their enterprises
• The professional staff from Provincial Department of of Agriculture at all levels, who provided consistent support and advice throughout.
• Officials from the local and district municipality 
• Officials from the Department of Water and Sanitation and the local water users association
• Commercial farmers and representatives of key commodity groups
• Representatives from Ebenhaeser and Rietpoort
• Civil society organisations 
• And many more

It is clear that land and agrarian reform has faced many challenges since 1994 – redistribution targets have not been met, much of the land transferred through land reform has gone out of production, land reform delivery has been erratic and without much planning.

We have developed practical proposals and strategies to change this, employing a different, consultative, planned way to do land and agrarian reform, seeking joint innovative solutions to problems faced as the planning proceeded, as part of the attempt to find new pathways to make land reform work.

The big question is whether the journey we have mapped out will secure the necessary support and  resources to enable the implementation of the plan to go forward.