Governance In Land Administration Systems: A Comparative Analysis Of The Former (LSPP) And Current (LAA) Land Administration Systems Of Lesotho.

 
Session

Geomatics for Africa

Full Paper Review

No

Authors

Mamphaka Jeanett Mabesa, Land Tenure Land Administration Land Management and Cadastral systems, Leshoto, Mamphakamabesa@yahoo.com
Jennifer Whittal, University of Cape Town South Africa, Jennifer.Whittal@uct.ac.za

Abstract

Good governance is of paramount importance in the organizational systems and especially in governmental systems such as the land administration system. Principles of good governance are identified as a useful tool against which to measure good governance. These principles can also inform the development of land administration systems which improves their chance of successful implementation and sustainability of performance. Without good governance, the aim of the land administration system to promote economic growth and reduce poverty is unlikely to be achieved. This paper compares the former land administration system called Land Surveys and Physical Planning (LSPP) and the newly established Land Administration Authority (LAA) in Lesotho using principles of good governance.

In her masters research, the first author identified aspects of weak governance in the LSPP. This contributed to insecure tenure, informal land transfers and low private sector investments in land. In contrast, the reforms leading to the LAA were expected to help Lesotho reduce poverty and promote economic growth, although the principles of good governance were not explicit goals of the reform process. The first author reflects on the LAA from her position as participant observer in the remaining Physical Planning Division of the LSPP. The paper concludes that the LAA is an improvement on the LSPP and is more likely to facilitate economic growth and allied benefits for the Basotho nation.

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