The article by Stephen Grootes (ANC's inertia puts a populist weapon in its future arsenal, June 21) refers.

While politicians and officials argue over who owns what land in SA, there is a simple way to transfer millions of parcels of land into the hands of black families. Most black South Africans living in homes that they ostensibly legally own still do not have full, unambiguous title to those homes. The government is in a position to make millions of people homeowners and therefore "landowners" by decree. This would take the sting out of the whole land question by the stroke of a pen. One has to ask why they do not do it?

Instead of protesting over lack of service delivery, township dwellers should be clamouring for full title to their homes thereby freeing up the "dead capital" (? la Hernando de Soto). This collateral would provide them with greater access to finance for mortgages, education and business "start-ups", etc. Lack of such access is one of the main reasons why so many South Africans are trapped in poverty.

Gail Daus-van Wyk

Free Market Foundation