The Purchase Areas in Rhodesia

Abstract

Since their inception, purchase areas have been part of the Rhodesian government's policy to separate African from European farming areas. The first purchase areas were created in the early 1930's after the Land Apportionment Act had been passed. Up to that time Africans had been free to buy land outside tribal areas on the same conditions as Europeans. As some Africans made use of this right, some European farmers became concerned at the presence of African-owned farms in their neighborhood and demanded separation. But other Europeans were motivated by the desire to assist a greater number of progressive African farmers to obtain freehold titles to farms large enough to enable the owners to reap a significant surplus. This was another reason for the establishment of the purchase areas.