Days before the much-anticipated ANC elective conference in Johannesburg, agricultural leaders have called on the governing party to make sound land reform decisions. Instead of politicising change that must happen, some experts are of the view that the leading party should be seen creating the right conditions to attract private investment.
The ANC is holding its 55th elective conference from 16 to 20 December 2022. But with politics almost certain to outshine other pressing issues, Agri SA’s executive director Christo van der Rheede calls on government to focus on creating an attractive environment for investors.
“Agriculture is hard business, and we should appreciate farmers and all stakeholders that are prepared to invest money amid all the constraints that they are experiencing,” Van der Rheede said.
Under huge pressure
Mzansi’s agricultural sector is under immense pressure with price spikes inputs like diesel, petrol, and fertiliser. Not forgetting the country’s infrastructural challenges that hampers the flow of agricultural goods.
“Load shedding has a massive impact on the entire industry and the economy as well. It is for that reason that critical questions need to be ask at the ANC conference like: do they contribute towards a conducive environment where business can flourish and create more jobs?”
There is also the issue of safety, Van der Rheede said farmers in the country are not receiving the adequate support from government as they had to take care of their own safety and fix road infrastructures, he pointed out.
“What we need to understand is that the rising input costs, logistic and shipping costs have a massive impact on the financial viability of the sector. We want the ANC conference to ask the question: is [it] the land that produces food or is it the expertise?” Van der Rheede asked.
Take agriculture seriously
President of the National African Farmers Union (Nafu), Motsepe Matlala, wants the ANC to get its house in order for the sake of the country’s agricultural future.
“The governing party needs to unite all farmers – black and white – because the international market is not waiting for us to iron out our differences. Opportunities come and go, the future is not waiting for anyone,” Matlala said.
The Nafu president is, however, expecting the ANC conference to conclude with a paradigm shift on their attitude towards agriculture and land reform. He added that the party needs to see agriculture as a business and not as a political tool to advance their own agendas.
“Unless the ANC prioritises agriculture and food security, our country is doomed.”
Matlala has called on the ANC conference delegates to revisit land reform and agricultural policies to ensure a conducive environment is created for food producers in South Africa.
“The sector has not been prioritised despite its strong standing in the year of 2019/2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, [and] the conference needs to understand the importance of food security,” Matlala said.
Avail land to farmers
In a press statement, Saamtrek Saamwerk said land reform and availing land to farmers should be a key policy that the upcoming ANC conference resolves as the matter of land was urgent.
“Without land we cannot grow our business. For cattle farming, we need land to properly do birth synchronising for quality cattle. Feeding has also become expensive if you are a communal farmer without proper grazing land.”
According to Saamtrek Saamwerk, decisive strategies on how communal farmers can access land is required.
“Land reform policy should emphasise and implement land redistribution program. This action is necessary to equip black people with the land as nothing can be achieved without it,” the statement read.
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