Poverty began when land was taken away: Zuma

President Jacob Zuma believes the question of land in South Africa must be resolved within the realm of the country's laws and constitution.

Zuma tackled the controversial issue in a speech at a Youth Day celebration in Hammarsdale, near Durban, yesterday.

"The land question is very much related to the economy," he said.

"The day there was dispossession of land, that's the day poverty began, that's the day inequality began, that's the day unemployment began."

Zuma said it was "more than correct" to apply policies that were "radical, revolutionary and changing the status quo economically".

"No one will do it for us but ourselves. The land question is a critical question. We must resolve that question within the law, within the constitution."

Zuma said: "If the law is not enough, let us take it to the point. If the constitution is not enough, let us take the constitution to the point."

Zuma, who was buoyed by the warm welcome he received from the young crowd, said he was not done with his fight for liberating poor black South Africans.

He encouraged young people to study and to fight for radical economic transformation.

"I'm very clear that political freedom without economic freedom is not a complete freedom. I think my view is correct."

The strong show of support was in stark contrast to the cold reception he received at a Youth Day celebration in Ventersdorp, in North West, on Friday, where a group of students chanted "Zuma must fall".

In her speech Durban mayor Zandile Gumede tried to woo the youth by turning her attention to issues affecting them.

These included high data costs, student accommodation and joblessness. She said Durban was ready to become a more Wi-Fi- friendly city.