Dealing with conflict: A case of Kwazulu-Natal Christian Council (KZNCC)’s engagement with the land-owners and landdwellers in Dannhauser

Abstract

The phenomenon of land is fundamentally rooted into the identity of a people. A people without strong connection to land can easily become enslaved to political and economic exploitation. In many parts of the world, there are examples of deadly conflicts linked to issues of unjust seizure of land. This study critically investigated land conflict and the KwaZulu-Natal Council of Churches (KZNCC)’s engagement with the land-owners and
land-dwellers in Dannhauser. The study sought to explore the role played by the KZNCC in engaging with the land-owners and land-dwellers to resolve conflict, towards determining the factors that promote land conflict and best conflict management strategies. The study employed  exploratory research design in which the qualitative research method was used with the interviews used as the data collection instrument. Data was gathered from a sample of 11 respondents purposively selected to participate in the study. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. The study revealed that the land conflict in Dannhauser was due to evictions, invasion of white farmers’ property and farmer’s insecurities. The study also revealed that conflict in Dannhauser was fueled by nonavailability of land for black people and land restitution. Further, the study revealed that the KZNCC’s role was not recognized and that it was not effective enough in dealing with conflict. In light of these findings, the study recommended that illegal evictions must be stopped, and that the government must make alternative housing to the evicted victims. Furthermore, the government must speed up the process of land-restitution so that land can be returned to the marginalized black people.

Keywords: Conflict, engagement, land-owners, land-dwellers, KZNCC