PUB1602
PORTFOLIO
OCT/NOV
SEMESTER 2 2026
UNIQUE NO:
DUE DATE:
,HUMAN SETTLEMENTS MANAGEMENT I - PUB1602
PORTFOLIO OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026
QUESTION 1 (35 marks)
The pre-1994 South African human settlement and housing trajectory was shaped by a
systematic sequence of legislation designed to dispossess, segregate, and control black
South Africans. Critically discuss the above statement with reference to the following
legislative frameworks:
1.1 The Native Land Act of 1913
The Native Land Act of 1913 was one of the most significant laws used to establish
racial segregation in South Africa. It restricted the ownership and occupation of land by
black South Africans and reserved designated areas for African occupation, commonly
referred to as native reserves. These restrictions contributed to the dispossession of
black communities and limited their opportunities to acquire land legally in many parts of
the country.
Firstly, the Act restricted land ownership. Black South Africans were generally prohibited
from purchasing or leasing land outside the areas designated for them, subject to
limited exceptions. This prevented many African families from acquiring land in areas
where economic opportunities were available. As a result, black communities became
increasingly dependent on overcrowded reserves and other restricted areas.
Secondly, the Act contributed to forced removals and overcrowding. The restriction of
land available to black communities placed pressure on the designated reserves.
Families had limited space for farming, building homes and supporting their livelihoods.
The resulting overcrowding contributed to poverty, poor living conditions and insecure
land tenure.
PORTFOLIO
OCT/NOV
SEMESTER 2 2026
UNIQUE NO:
DUE DATE:
,HUMAN SETTLEMENTS MANAGEMENT I - PUB1602
PORTFOLIO OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026
QUESTION 1 (35 marks)
The pre-1994 South African human settlement and housing trajectory was shaped by a
systematic sequence of legislation designed to dispossess, segregate, and control black
South Africans. Critically discuss the above statement with reference to the following
legislative frameworks:
1.1 The Native Land Act of 1913
The Native Land Act of 1913 was one of the most significant laws used to establish
racial segregation in South Africa. It restricted the ownership and occupation of land by
black South Africans and reserved designated areas for African occupation, commonly
referred to as native reserves. These restrictions contributed to the dispossession of
black communities and limited their opportunities to acquire land legally in many parts of
the country.
Firstly, the Act restricted land ownership. Black South Africans were generally prohibited
from purchasing or leasing land outside the areas designated for them, subject to
limited exceptions. This prevented many African families from acquiring land in areas
where economic opportunities were available. As a result, black communities became
increasingly dependent on overcrowded reserves and other restricted areas.
Secondly, the Act contributed to forced removals and overcrowding. The restriction of
land available to black communities placed pressure on the designated reserves.
Families had limited space for farming, building homes and supporting their livelihoods.
The resulting overcrowding contributed to poverty, poor living conditions and insecure
land tenure.
