Government officials in South Africa say they have been overwhelmed with land claims ahead of tomorrow's deadline to reclaim property confiscated during the apartheid era.

They say thirty-six-thousand applications have been submitted by individuals and communities seeking the return of land lost under white rule.

In one settlement, part of the Kruger National Park has been returned to the ownership of a community of ten-thousand people who will now run their own game reserve in partnership with the National Parks Board.

However, the commission responsible for dealing with the claims is making slow progress, with only twenty-seven claims finalised so far.

There is a fifteen year target to settle all claims.