The New South Institute (NSI) invites you to join us for a policy dialogue on our third working paper this year, Urban Settlements on Traditional Authority Land: Four Case Studies, authored by NSI Affiliate Researchers Andries du Toit and Andrew Charman.

Across South Africa’s peri-urban frontier, enduring urban settlements are emerging beyond conventional planning systems, particularly on land governed by traditional authorities. These spaces are neither temporary nor marginal. They are sites of private investment, evolving property markets and hybrid forms of governance.

Drawing on case studies from Dassenhoek, KwaMhlanga, Hammanskraal and Kabokweni, the paper examines a central paradox: while residents are actively building urban futures, these settlements remain largely outside formal cadastral, planning and fiscal systems.

The discussion will consider what these dynamics mean for urban governance, municipal finance and current policy debates, including the proposed Equitable Access to Land Bill.

Speakers
Andries du Toit – NSI Affiliate Researcher
Andrew Charman – NSI Affiliate Researcher

Discussants
Gaynor Paradza (PARI)
Prof. Mfaniseni Fani Sihlongonyane (Wits University)

Dr Ngaka Mosiane – Gauteng City-Region Observatory

Event Details
Date: Wednesday, 11 March 2026
Time: 12:00 (Light lunch served)

Venue: GIBS Rooftop, Gordon Institute of Business Science,
26 Melville Road, Illovo, Johannesburg, 2196

The event will be held in person.

.

For any questions or technical queries, please contact Revati at revatib@nsi.org.za | +27 72 411 4056.