Transformation

The Transformation of Certain Rural Areas Act, 1999 (Act No 94 of 1999), that came into effect on 02 November 1999, prescribes the processes to be followed for the creation of entities to hold the land in the commonages in trust for the inhabitants of the Rural Areas. This process is managed by the Department of Land Affairs and the Municipality responsible for the relevant Rural Area. The role of this Department is mainly to undertake those issues in the townships that have to be dealt with in terms of the Rural Areas Act (Act 9 of 1987). This will entail a variety of actions, including land audits, planning approvals, approval of subdivisions, opening of township registries and the issuing of Deeds of Grant. It is envisaged that Act 9 will be repealed after all these processes have been completed. These processes should not be seen to be unrelated to the overall transformation and incorporation of the Rural Areas into the new municipal areas.