DON’T PANIC, PEOPLE!

Regarding the land expropriation saga (YOU, 29 March), there are two sides to every story – and each side is convinced it’s correct when in fact the truth lies roughly in the middle.

On the one hand, it isn’t fair that most of the land belongs to white farmers. And the high level of poverty is tragic.

On the other hand, those farmers have a right to consider packing for Perth when their livelihood is threatened, which in turn could threaten the country’s food security.

Is there a compromise that could accommodate both sides? Remember that two wrongs don’t make a right.

In Zimbabwe, land was expropriated without compensation. This led to a collapse of the economy and made the levels of poverty much worse.

Here in South Africa the government has in fact proposed a workable compromise, although many people haven’t realised it, due largely to panic.

The president has clearly stated that there’ll be no smash-and-grabs. And that while expropriation is on the table, this won’t be done in a way that will threaten food security. Also there’s much unused land that will be targeted first. Thus the white farmers are safe and black farmers will still be given land, all in a sensible way.

Packing for Perth or invading property would thus be premature. MARTIN ZAGNOEV, SUNNINGDALE RIDGE