Maryna holds the BA, LLB, LLM degrees and is an Executive Consultant at the Cape Town branch of STBB. She is an admitted Attorney, Notary Public, Conveyancer and Insolvency Practitioner with many years of experience in the fields of property law, conveyancing and the laws relating to corporate compliance (especially in respect of the FICA and POPIA laws). Up until 2018 she was also head of the firm’s national marketing portfolio. She is a seasoned public speaker and presenter, both in person and online. She prepares text for the majority of STBB’s internal and external publications and is editor and co-writer for two pivotal publications in the South African real estate industry – the ABC of Conveyancing (JUTA) and Delport’s South African Property Law and Practice (JUTA).

Newsflash | New Caps On Foreigners Acquiring Farm Land

The Regulation of Agricultural Holdings Bill was published for public comment on Friday of last week. The Bill sets as its aim, to “foster conditions which enable citizens to gain access to land on an equitable basis” and to “redistribute agricultural land more equally”.

It determines, amongst other things, that:

  • Foreigners may no longer acquire ownership of agricultural land, but may register 30 year long term leases in respect thereof.
  • If a foreigner sells currently owned agricultural land, the State has a right of first refusal in respect thereof.
  • If a South African citizen owning agricultural land becomes a foreigner, the State must be notified, and on disposal of the land, the State again has the right of first refusal.

There are many more novelties in the Bill, which can be read (together with the Explanatory Memorandum) here.

The public can submit comments before 17 April to RAHLBill@drdlr.gov.za.

Contact STBB should you have any further queries.

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