Related documents
- Is amended by Expropriation Act, 1975
- Is amended by Land Tenure Amendment Act, 1970
- Is amended by Land Tenure Amendment Act, 1972

Land Tenure Act, 1966
Act 32 of 1966
- Published in South African Government Gazette 1554 on 5 October 1966
- Assented to on 30 September 1966
- Commenced on 1 April 1971
- [This is the version of this document from 1 January 1977 and includes any amendments published up to 17 January 2025.]
- [Amended by Land Tenure Amendment Act, 1970 (Act 67 of 1970) on 1 April 1971]
- [Amended by Land Tenure Amendment Act, 1972 (Act 16 of 1972) on 1 May 1972]
- [Amended by Expropriation Act, 1975 (Act 63 of 1975) on 1 January 1977]
TRANSFER TO SOUTH WEST AFRICA: The administration of this Act was transferred to South West Africa by the Executive Powers (Agricultural Credit and Land Tenure) Transfer Proclamation, AG 13 of 1977, dated 18 November 1977. There were no amendments to the Act in South Africa after the date of transfer. The Act was repealed in South Africa by the Second Community Development Amendment Act 68 of 1982 (RSA GG 8206), which was not made expressly applicable to South West Africa and therefore did not repeal the Act in respect of South West Africa.
Section 3(2) of the Executive Powers Transfer (General Provisions) Proclamation, AG 7 of 1977, excluded from transfer the provisions of any transferred law “which provide for or relate to the institution, constitution or control of any juristic person or any board or other body of persons that may exercise powers or perform other functions in or in respect of both the territory and the Republic”. This may have excluded from transfer the provisions of this Act relating to the Land Tenure Board.]ACTTo establish a Land Tenure Board and to define its functions; to provide for the acquisition and development of land for or for use in connection with farming purposes; and to provide for other incidental matters.(Afrikaans text signed by the State President)BE IT ENACTED by the State President, the Senate and the House of Assembly of the Republic of South Africa, as follows:-
1. Definitions
In this Act, unless the context otherwise indicates -“board” means the board established by section 2;“member of the board” includes an additional member of the board;“Minister” means the Minister of Agriculture;[definition of “Minister” substituted by Act 67 of 1970]“State land”, in the application of this Act in the territory, means land of the Administration of the territory placed at the disposal of the Department of Agricultural Credit and Land Tenure for the purposes of the application of this Act or the Agricultural Credit Act, 1966 (Act No. 28 of 1966);[The definition of “State land” is inserted by Act 67 of 1970. Namibia’s Agricultural Bank Amendment Act 27 of 1991 repealed the RSA Agricultural Credit Act 28 of 1966. The current legislation is the Agricultural Bank of Namibia Act 5 of 2003.]“territory” means the territory of South-West Africa.[The definition of “territory” is inserted by Act 67 of 1970. It should end with a semicolon instead of a full stop.]“this Act” includes regulations made under this Act.2. Land Tenure Board
3. Functions of the board
The functions of the board shall be to advise the Minister in regard to the value of land and any rights in or over land, the alienation and allocation of State land, and in regard to any other matter which the Minister may refer to the board.4. Acquisition of land for farming purposes
5. Disposal of State land not suitable for farming purposes
State land, which in the opinion of the Minister is not suitable or required for farming purposes, may be disposed of under section 2 of the State Land Disposal Act, 1961 (Act No. 48 of 1961).[Section 5 was not made applicable to South West Africa.]6. Development of State land for farming purposes
The Minister may develop for or for use in connection with farming purposes any State land which in the opinion of the board is suitable for or for use in connection with any such purposes, or construct any works thereon.7. Offences
Any person who -8. Regulations
The Minister may make regulations relating to -9. Delegation of powers
The Minister may delegate any power conferred upon him by this Act, other than the powers referred to in subsections (1)(b), (2), (3) and (5) of section 2 and in section 8, to any officer of the State (including the Administration of the territory), but is not thereby divested of any power so delegated, and may amend or withdraw any decision of such officer.[section 9 amended by Act 67 of 1970 and substituted by Act 16 of 1972]10. Interpretation of references to the central land board or State Settlement and Farmers’ Assistance Board in certain laws
Any reference to the “central land board” in any law not repealed by the Agricultural Credit Act, 1966, shall be construed as a reference to the board, and any reference to the “State Settlement and Farmers’ Assistance Board” in any law not repealed State by the Agricultural Credit Amendment Act, 1970, shall be construed as a reference to the board established by section 2 of the first-mentioned Act.[Section 10 is substituted by Act 67 of 1970. Namibia’s Agricultural Bank Amendment Act 27 of 1991 repealed the RSA Agricultural Credit Act 28 of 1966. The current legislation is the Agricultural Bank of Namibia Act 5 of 2003.]10A. Application of Act to South-West Africa
This Act and any amendment thereof which may be made from time to time, with the exception of section 5, shall apply also in the territory.[section 10A inserted by Act 67 of 1970]11. Short title and date of commencement
This Act shall be called the Land Tenure Act, 1966, and shall come into operation on a date to be fixed by the State President by notice in the Gazette.History of this document
01 January 1977 this version
Amended by
Expropriation Act, 1975
01 May 1972
Amended by
Land Tenure Amendment Act, 1972
01 April 1971
Amended by
Land Tenure Amendment Act, 1970
Commenced
05 October 1966
30 September 1966
Assented to