Publisher's Synopsis
Reform of land ownership has been pivotal to much post-colonial development and is a topic of considerable political and moral debate and contention. Since Independence in 1980, land redistribution in Zimbabwe has been occurring on a willing-buyer willing-seller basis. In 1997, however, the government attempted to speed up reform with compulsory acquisition, and this highly contentious issue has been central to Zimbabwean current affairs debate since. This text brings together the views of many, including top researchers, members of Government, civil society, NGOs, funders, land owners, and the land hungry. The history of land reform in Zimbabwe is addressed, current proposed reform policies are analyzed, comparison between programmes elsewhere are made, and implications including for poverty, rural and urban welfare, the economy, the environment, the law, and for women are considered. The result is an invaluable overview of this crucial and contentious issue, including suggestions for consensual ways forward. -
