Australia appreciates white farmers
THIS is an open letter to Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu and the people of Australia.
In the past week we have taken cognisance of the South African government’s position in regard to the “white farmers’ issue”.
We have also noted Australia’s minister of home affairs Peter Dutton reaching out to white South African farmers, something the past and present presidents of South Africa have never done.
His invitation to white South African farmers was done in the open for a specific purpose: to show transparency and appreciation.
It is common knowledge what the white farmer’s position is in our political dispensation. The farmer is seen as a threat instead of a communal asset and is not appreciated or wanted.
Our farmers are not just “farmers”; they are scientists, some with tertiary education.
The scientific component is in the DNA of every farmer and is passed down from one generation to the next and is something no human in the world can replicate, even in the best laboratories with the best technologies available.
You cannot replicate the phenomenon of “the white South African farmer”.
With this a fact, here is the crux: the South African government has shot itself in the foot with land policies which seem to have no end, just like black empowerment and affirmative action have no sunset clause.
The Australian government has seen the potential in white farmers and is prepared to invest heavily in them without any conditional collateral.
That says a lot, because not any investor throws an opportunity unless they stand to gain, not even the World Bank or International Monetary Fund.
To the Australian government, thank you for the invitation and please note that the South African government’s laws and policies are not that of many people in this country.
We distance ourselves from this and their feeble utterances.
To Minister Sisulu, it’s too late. The horse has bolted. You have been in government too long, you have achieved nothing in any of the portfolios that you have held. There are two solutions.
The first is that you be re-educated in terms of the subject matter you preside over every time you hop to a new portfolio.
The second is that you go the indigenous route and study the principle of ubuntu and while there, take note of Batho Pele.
After all, you should know these issues which affect our communities, as I take it you have read your constitution.
HECTOR VAN HEERDEN Via e-mail