Foreigners won't be allowed to own South African land - they can lease it

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Foreign nationals will not be allowed to own land in South Africa, but will be for long term lease, President Jacob Zuma said on Thursday.

In his State of the Nation address he said a bill in this regard will be submitted this year.

On land reform he said more than 36 00 land claims have been launched nationally and the cut off date is 2019.

"We are also exploring the 50-50 policy framework on rights for people who live and work on farms."

Zuma said 50 farming enterprises will be identified as pilot projects.

"In terms of our new proposed laws, a ceiling will be set on 12 000 hectares.

In future foreigners "will not be able to own land in South Africa" but could lease it, Zuma said.

Although this policy position has been mulled over by the ruling party, it was widely expected until tonight that foreigners would be restricted only.

The ANC recent suggested - through its secretary general Gwede Mantashe - the local farmers would be restricted to 12 000 hectare farm holdings, but the abolition of foreign land ownership in future was a surprise announcement.

Zuma also said the office of the Valuer General would be up and running in the year ahead. This would mark the end to the "willing-buyer, willing-seller" process of land reform.

The office would be involved in valuing land for expropriation from farmers, it is envisaged, although Zuma did not go into details in his state of the nation speech.