Discourses of land reform legitimation and electioneering in Southern Africa

Land reform continues to be a contentious issue in Southern Africa, and it is particularly connected with histories of colonialism and displacement. The intersection of land reform and electioneering has become increasingly significant, as politicians utilize land reform rhetoric to mobilize support and secure electoral victories in former colonies. This association of land reform with the subject of elections has contributed to the perpetuation of land-based inequalities in Africa. Persisting challenges stall progression to other key issues associated with land, such as climate change and land degradation caused by deforestation and expanding agricultural activities. Using a critical discourse analysis (CDA) lens, our paper examines the discourses surrounding land reform and electioneering in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Botswana, focusing on the ways in which political elites employ land reform narratives in the form of political manifestos to legitimize their claims to power. The examination focuses on radical political rhetoric, characterized by merging existing realities, conservative and legitimate issues with provocative and inflammatory assertions to sway the electorate and draw them toward specific political parties. The findings also indicate a complex interplay between politics, history, memory, and economic interests. While land reform is a critical issue, its instrumentalization and weaponization by politicians can have far-reaching consequences. To address the historical injustices underlying land reform, African governments must prioritize inclusive, participatory, and evidence-based land policies over electoral priorities and political polarization.