SA small-scale farmers key to success of land reform
THE LAND reform issue is likely to take pole position in the 2019 elections. But, as South Africa celebrates 2017 and the 105th anniversary of the ANC, President Zuma is quoted as saying: Why are we paying for land? We must grow the economy, create jobs and return the land to the people.
We must expedite the expropriation of land.
It is time for blacks to benefit. A quote from the “Opinion” page of the Cape Times recently reads: "On June 20, 1913, the South African native found himself, not actually a slave, but a pariah in the land of his birth.”
Newspaper headlines across South Africa stated: “Zuma wants ANC to move swiftly on land” and “ANC sets sights on land reform.”
And from agricultural unions the best quote came from Johannes Moller, AgriSA president. Explaining that it is every farmer's duty to educate his or her workers, he said: “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”
TAU SA President Louis Meintjies said: “The South African Government is not favourably disposed towards commercial agriculture.”
The Secretary-General of the African Farmers Association (Afasa), Aggrey Mahanjana, thinks “next year will be even more chaotic, with no increase in the land reform budget”.
All the above speakers are very talented South Africans who really understand the subject matter – so why are farmers in polar opposite positions with government? Maybe a mix of teams negotiating with government is required.
After 22 years of land reform discussions with Government and agricultural unions it would seem “someone is fiddling while Rome burns". There is:
Still suspicion between farmers and politicians.
No agreement on the future of title deeds or 99-year lease. Both options will be viewed from a political standpoint.
No agreement on “small scale” or “commercial farmer” preference going forward.
Laws are being passed in parliament that will encircle the farmer eventually.
No complete database of every farm in South Africa; this would provide comfort to all parties.
Farmworkers will benefit from land reform.
Government have had their hands full, with many high-profile issues these last few years, and land has been ignored. With elections looming, and the ANC looking for lost votes, that will no longer be the case and current leaders will be keen to leave a legacy. I’m sure that, behind the scenes, relationships between the agricultural unions and government will have ticked off a lot of boxes, but the few that remain will be a painful and difficult exercise for the agricultural unions.
Land tenure is viewed seriously from outside South Africa’s borders.With all the negative quotes being voiced at the moment, storm clouds are on the horizon.The playing field is not level and will never be. As a contrast, down on the farm, there are areas of enormous goodwill between commercial farmers and new small-scale farmers, but it is not enough to square away the uneven distribution of land ownership and white farms.
If one listens carefully, government is seeking answers and solutions that tick their box. “Food security”, has now worn thin, I suspect. The Afasa president, Vuyo Mahlati, is calling for building of small-scale and commercial farming partnerships, with emphasis on small-scale farmers.
South Africa has a harsh agricultural environment, making small-scale farmers more vulnerable than their counterparts in Central Africa, giving all the more reason to obtain commercial farmers’ skills, obtained over 200 years’ experience, for training projects .
I have travelled for 10 years, studying and assisting small-scale farmers from China, Brazil, Burundi, Kenya and more, with my first question being: “Where are the big green tractors, sheds, irrigation pumps and motors?”
It was a humbling experience to meet a Kenyan farmer/businessman tasked with producing 2 million kgs of tobacco and managing 3 000 smallscale farmers. The only item that was purchased was a tobacco barn thermometer. Barns were made of sundried bricks, doors were dried banana trees, the hinges for doors and air vents were made from discarded tyres, tobacco tiers from local plantations and thatch for the roof, and a scotch cart delivered the tobacco bales to market – a truly great successful project.
So what is a small-scale farmer? He can own land – which is the first step to prosperity – feed his family, contribute to the economy and food chain, and have a dignity to his life as he grows his business, with the help of finance houses and a government extension officer with learning skills.
Maybe it sounds too simple, since farming is hard work and financial risks can be high. Richard Tate Hermanus