Grondbesetting en grondbesit op Bethelsdorp, 1828-1945

Abstract

Private landownership was instituted at four mission stations of the London Missionary Society (LMS) in terms of Act 12 of 1873. This article sketches the traditional occupation of land and further examines the application of the said legislation to Bethelsdorp. It points out that private landownership in that community was also an exclusive process since many inhabitants still had to lease commonage. Thus the idealistic expectations of the LMS regarding ownership of land during the 1860s were not realized. For although alienation of land did in fact occur as a result of this Practice, there is no doubt that an awareness of the value of private landownership also developed.