President Jacob Zuma announced during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 12 February that foreign nationals and juristic persons will not be allowed to own land in South Africa, but will be eligible for long term lease.

“Foreign nationals will not be allowed to own land in South Africa but will be eligible for long term lease. In this regard, the Regulation of Land Holdings Bill will be submitted to Parliament this year,” the President said.

Once the bill is assented to by the President, foreign nationals will only be entitled to long term leasing of land with a minimum of 30 years and will not be allowed to buy land in South Africa.

The bill will also regulate the amount of land that any individual can own — the limit being 12 000 hectares — an approximate equivalent of two farms.

Available: http://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/limiting-foreign-land-ownership-international-practice