The upcoming national and local elections are set to be a game-changer for the agriculture sector if different political party manifestos are anything to go by. Dr Ina Gouws, a senior political science lecturer at the University of Free State, underscores this potential paradigm shift, especially if the nation navigates a complex coalition landscape.
“With regard to potential for coalition governments, when you look at the national government… the impact on agriculture would largely depend on the parties involved and their respective policies.
“For instance, if parties advocating for radical land reform such as the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) were part of the coalition, it could lead to more aggressive land redistribution and possibly even changes to agriculture subsidies and regulations and such,” she said.
Promised changes
Food For Mzansi looked at what some of the political parties that are contesting elections had to say in their manifesto regarding the impact on agriculture.
Inkatha Freedom Party
What they say: Land ownership is one of the most contentious issues in South Africa. Land reform policies affect how South Africa produces its food, protects its food security, and seizes socio-economic opportunities.
What they promise: Commission a full-scale land audit to determine who owns what, and use these findings to focus on state land, redistributing it where necessary and supporting community projects to farm land commercially.
Protect communal land to ensure that it will remain in the hands of the people, under the custodianship of traditional leadership, with the provincial governments providing support to traditional leaders and emerging farmers and elevating them to a state of commercial farming.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)
What they say: The EFF’s stance on resolving the land issue remains anchored in the principle of expropriating land without compensation for equitable redistribution and state custodianship over all land in South Africa. The party intends to reintroduce a motion to amend the constitution to allow for such expropriation.
What they promise: In agriculture, the EFF government aims to promote local food production by procuring only 100% locally produced food and supporting small-scale producers, particularly women and youth. They plan to maximise agricultural production by placing all arable land under cultivation and establishing agricultural development nodes in each province to create jobs.
Action SA
What they say: Resolving the energy crisis: Establishing a competitive and decentralised energy market stands as the most effective solution to South Africa’s energy crisis.
What they promise: ActionSA proposes transferring unused state-owned arable land to emerging farmers and supporting agricultural skills development through internships and mentorships. Investment in rural infrastructure, including roads and internet connectivity, will facilitate trade connections and economic diversification.
Build One South Africa (Bosa)
What they say: Addressing South Africa’s energy crisis: A functional energy sector is essential for economic growth, improving quality of life, and establishing sustainable energy infrastructure.
What they promise: Build One South Africa (Bosa) proposes legislation to revitalise the entire energy system, starting with a fundamental approach that prioritises prudent decision-making benefitting both energy market players and end-users.
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United Democratic Movement (UDM)
What they say: Thirty years have lapsed and for most of our citizens possession of their own land remains a far-flung dream. It has remained a contentious matter in South Africa and has played a central role in the racially divisive politics of the past.
What they promise: The UDM is not in favour of free-for-all land grabs and evictions and has long proposed for an economic indaba, where all stakeholders can congregate to discuss the macro economy, with land at the apex of the debate. This exercise will ensure that South Africans enter into a well-defined discussion and that they take ownership of the decisions made.
GOOD
What they say: Land reform policies should address gender disparities in land ownership, taking into account the high proportion of female-headed households in South Africa.
What they promise: All publicly owned land, national, provincial and local must be used for land redistribution purposes, housing and farming projects.
African National Congress (ANC)
What they say: Build our industries to achieve an inclusive economy. To transform our economy government needs to drive industrial growth, innovation and job creation.
What they promise: Accelerate land reform and redistribution to reduce asset inequality and protect security tenure. Improve food security and agricultural production, promote rural and urban development.
Prioritise green technologies, energy efficiency, waste management, climate smart-agriculture and infrastructure and eco-friendly production processes to ensure long term sustainability.
AZAPO
What they say: Real freedom means taking the land from land “thieves” and returning it to its owners. Land “thieves” have no moral or legal right to sell stolen land to the owners of the land.
What they promise: We will allocate land to farmers and those interested in farming and also offer support by helping them access local and international markets.
Democratic Alliance (DA)
What they say: The Democratic Alliance (DA) aims to empower South Africans through land ownership.
What they promise: The party plans to focus on utilising under-utilised state-owned land, particularly those held by the departments of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries and public works and infrastructure. This land will be earmarked for various land reform projects, including housing and farming, to provide access to land for South Africans.
Rise Mzansi
What they say: Focus on supporting anchor industries for higher growth rates and the rapid development of secondary and new industries in South Africa.
What they promise: Government incentives and budgetary resources will be directed towards water-efficiency projects, the adoption of drought-resistant crop varieties, and innovative farming approaches such as agrivoltaics and regenerative agriculture. These interventions will target both commercial and small-scale subsistence farmers in urban and rural areas.
Freedom Front Plus (VF+)
What they say: As a primary industry in the economy, agriculture plays a significant role in job creation, food production, and the generation of revenue, so it should be cherished by the government.
What they promise: The FF Plus proposes a comprehensive approach to address the challenges facing agriculture, forestry, and fisheries in South Africa, advocating for responsible environmental policies, increased state expenditure on research, protection against international trade disparities, disaster relief, and infrastructure development.
Patriotic Alliance (PA)
What they say: Despite its modest contribution to gross domestic product (GDP), agriculture is crucial to combating hunger. Limited arable land, about 13.5%, poses a challenge.
What they promise: Skill transfer, particularly from white to black or coloured farmers, is vital. Access to water for irrigation, more critical than land access, requires innovative solutions for sector growth.
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