An Evaluation of the Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD) Programme in Post-Apartheid South Africa: Lessons from the Eastern Cape Province

Post-apartheid South Africa has engaged in comprehensive land redistribution; nevertheless, results in the Eastern Cape Province are inconsistent, as numerous programmes encounter issues of low productivity, insufficient sustainability, and ongoing marginalisation of vulnerable populations. This study examines the factors influencing these results using Ricardo’s Theory of Economic Rent, emphasising the significance of land quality and location in determining productivity. A qualitative case study design was utilised, focusing on policymakers, farmers, and land specialists in six districts. Employing purposive sampling, 25 people were solicited, with 18 being interviewed until data saturation was achieved. Data were gathered using semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and document analysis, then examined using thematic content analysis. The researcher concludes that although land fertility and market proximity significantly impacted success, as predicted by Ricardo, outcomes were also heavily reliant on institutional support, post-settlement services, and the capabilities of beneficiaries. Participants defined sustainability as the ongoing viability of livelihoods following the initial transfer, productivity as the efficient utilisation of land facilitated by resources and market access, and exclusion as both the absence of access and obstacles to involvement in decision-making and value chains. The study indicates that evaluating reform effectiveness exclusively by hectares transferred is insufficient; rather, land-use outcomes should be valued. Policy recommendations encompass enhancing post-settlement assistance, ensuring tenure security, and establishing market connections. Theoretically, the study enhances Ricardo’s rent paradigm by incorporating institutional and social factors into the examination of land reform dynamics.