Elderly made to work on farm
AN NGO claims two Stellenbosch farmworkers are being denied the dignity of retirement and being made to work five days a week in their twilight years.
Women on Farms’ Collete Solomons says there were numerous abuses of farmworkers and the two men had a right to retire. Their case was a “drop in the ocean”.
April Visagie, 79, has worked on Rozendal farm for over 30 years and cannot read or write, lives by himself, and said he is still expected to work in the vineyards.
“I clear the weeds and grass but I cannot do the wiring anymore as my arms are going now.
“I have been here since the farmers’ grandfather and I just want to tend (to) my own garden and live on my own,” said Visagie.
He said he does not receive the minimum wage or a payslip like the other workers.
“I get paid out of hand R200 or R300 a week and he (the farmer) keeps my All-Pay (Sassa) card.
‘‘He took it from me while I was in the bathroom and refuses to give it back.”
While Visagie doesn’t mind the work, he believes he has earned his retirement after years of service.
Mias Klaasen, 69, and his wife Joan Klaasen, 59, said they arrived on the farm over 20 years ago and Visagie had already been there for some time.
“My body still needs to keep active, but sometimes I feel the strain. I asked the farmer about my Sassa (application) in the past, but nothing has come of it.”
His wife Joan said she also worked in the vineyards, but for the last three years had been working in a crèche, caring for the children of the other farmworkers.
Farm owner Dirk Joubert said he is not stopping Visagie or Klaasen from retiring and they were choosing to remain active on the farm.
“Mias (Klaasen) is working on his own accord and I have told him and Joan that when he wants to retire he must just inform us of his decision.
‘‘With regards to his Sassa application, I told him we can assist him, but I cannot apply on his behalf.”
He said Visagie would end his days on Rozendal farm and all he had done was look out for the uneducated man as he was being taken advantage of by his step children.
“He (Visagie) retired two years ago but still chose to work and I pay him more a gratuity weekly, as he wants some independence to buy his own tobacco and meat.
‘‘I have no problem giving the responsibility over to another person with provision that my lawyers are placed as administrators over the accounts.”
He said a deduction from workers’ salary is paid into a fund and the farm also contributes a similar percentage.
“I assisted April to apply for his Sassa in Paarl and in opening a bank account, as the fund does not permit payment into an employer’s account.
‘‘This is about April and doing what’s best for him.”
Joubert placed it on record the elderly would not be evicted if they did not work, as he was well aware of the labour laws and long-term occupiers’ housing rights.