<B>Preamble</B>

During the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD, August 2002, in Jo’burg), a small group of participants, which I co-ordinated, developed the above solutions. The results were given to the press as a low profile proposal and, as far as I know, only SABC and BBC radio took it up. There were no Zimbabwean reactions. Today, two years later, I believe these solutions to be still valid, especially as the country is hosting the Southern African Development Summit.

<B>Principles</B>

Five essential principles from WSSD as agreed by practically ALL nations of the world, were evoked, namely:

• Equity

• Access to land

• Alleviation of poverty

• Sustainable productivity

• Good governance and the rule of law

These principles applied to the Zimbabwean situation led to the conclusion that ALL productive farms should be redivided as follows:-

<B>The 1: 3 solution</B>

One third (chosen by the community around) should be immediately returned to the original owner/farmer and two-thirds distributed to local landless peasants versed in agriculture as in Figure A.

<B>The 1:5 solution</B>

One-fifth (chosen by the original owner – farmer) be returned to him and four-fifths distributed to landless peasants as in figure B.

<B>Conditions</B>

• The redistribution should ensure access to road and to water for each group.

• The original owner/farmer be guaranteed ownership of the one-third or one-fifth and he be encouraged to restart production immediately and serve as model of production and management.

• The size of the distributed plots (2 to 10 ha) must be such as to ensure viability. Only peasants who know farming should receive these.

<B>Results:</B>

Much better equity in land-ownership in Zimbabwe, fairness to all, but above all a chance to restart agricultural production.

The above is a political solution and can only succeed if there is political will to adopt this or a similar process.

<B>Dr Michaël ATHIA

Melrose, Mauritius

[email protected]</B>