The content of the White Paper ranges from general statements of principle to detailed information on the state financial assistance programme which will make it possible for more people to own land. It includes programmes to provide security of tenure to people who are vulnerable, and to prevent unfair evictions. A central concern has been to translate the government’s commitment to social justice and the alleviation of poverty into a set of concrete land reform and land development programmes, legislation and procedures.

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) and Foundation for Human Rights (FHR) put out a term of reference for their Community Mapping and Active Citizenry Programme in the latter part of 2015. The programme is in part, a response to the National Development Plan (NDP) which recognises the “need to build a capable active citizenry and to address the obstacles preventing them from playing an active role”. This document reports on one project funded for the first phase of the Community Mapping and Active Citizenry Programme.

This collection spans a selection of the research that PLAAS as an independent Policy Research Institute within the Faculty for Economic and Management Sciences at the University of the Western Cape have produced and contributed to. PLAAS focuses on research, policy engagement, teaching and training about chronic poverty, economic marginalisation and structural inequality in Southern Africa. Their research concentrates on the role of land, agriculture, and natural resources in the livelihoods of marginalised and vulnerable people.

The launch of the Decent Standard of Living report marked a significant step towards understanding poverty and inequality’s impact on people’s lives in South Africa. The findings highlighted both positive trends and ongoing challenges in achieving a decent standard of living for all, while the discussions provided insights into the complexities of poverty reduction and policy development.