• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • Lifestyle
‘Farmers near breaking point due to crime,’ warns FSA

‘Farmers near breaking point due to crime,’ warns FSA

7th October 2020
Andile Matukane, founder of Farmers Choice and Devroll Legodi, founder of Devroll Herbs, joined a recent session of Food For Mzansi’s Gather To Grow on twitter o discuss the cultivation of spring onions in Mzansi. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Farmer 101: Top tips to grow spring onions

14th August 2022
This drone is collecting data which farmers can then access on the yield management platform. Photo: Supplied/Aerobotics

How the Internet of Things is transforming agri

13th August 2022
ADVERTISEMENT
His life took a turn for the worst when he ended up in jail for dealing in drugs, but Thembinkosi Matika turned his life around and now helps others through his Legacy Farming Project. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Drug dealer turned farmer ploughs back

12th August 2022
Beat the winter blues with yummy butter chicken

Beat the winter blues with yummy butter chicken

12th August 2022
Households in South Africa could be in for some respite in the coming months on food prices. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Food may soon be cheaper. What’s the catch?

12th August 2022
Archive photo. Western Cape agri MEC Ivan Meyer highlighted small towns' dependence on agriculture during a recent provincial summit with municipal leaders. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

ICYMI: MEC lines up municipal support for farmers

12th August 2022
Christo Van der Rheede is the executive director of Agri SA. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Former music teacher leads agri’s greatest symphony

12th August 2022
Bumper harvest for Mzansi’s olive growers

Bumper harvest for Mzansi’s olive growers

11th August 2022
Thanks to Netafim’s innovative solutions, drip irrigation is within reach of small-scale farmers. Photo: Supplied

Yes, precision irrigation is possible on a budget

11th August 2022
There's been a major breakthrough with South African citrus containers that have been contained at European ports. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Relief! Govt convinces EU to save SA citrus

11th August 2022
Willem Booise (left) is a trustee and has won the industry’s Specialist Agricultural Worker of the Year award in 2018. Photo: Supplied/Hortgro

Fruit farm shows there’s power in transformation

11th August 2022
Many people love avocados, but did you know that the introduction of just one of these fruits per day can improve the overall quality of your diet? Photo: Pixabay

An avocado a day can keep the doctor away

10th August 2022
  • Home
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought
11 GLOBAL MEDIA AWARDS
Monday, August 15, 2022
Food For Mzansi
  • Home
  • News
  • Changemakers
    • All
    • AgriCareers
    • Entrepreneurs
    • Farmers
    • Groundbreakers
    • Innovators
    • Inspiration
    • It Takes a Village
    • Mentors
    • Movers and Shakers
    • Partnerships
    This drone is collecting data which farmers can then access on the yield management platform. Photo: Supplied/Aerobotics

    How the Internet of Things is transforming agri

    His life took a turn for the worst when he ended up in jail for dealing in drugs, but Thembinkosi Matika turned his life around and now helps others through his Legacy Farming Project. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

    Drug dealer turned farmer ploughs back

    Christo Van der Rheede is the executive director of Agri SA. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

    Former music teacher leads agri’s greatest symphony

    Agripreneur 101: Creating a beauty brand

    Agripreneur 101: Creating a beauty brand

    Claire and Martin Joubert have sacrificed and struggled to become top breeders of Ankole cattle in South Africa. But giving up was never an option, because they wanted to offer only the very best Ankole genetics in the country. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

    Farming couple lives and breathes Ankole cattle

    Tackling climate change, one tree at a time

    Agricareers: Veterinary science not for the timid

    Agricareers: Veterinary science not for the timid

    Once struggling farm now a family heirloom

    This drone is collecting data which farmers can then access on the yield management platform. Photo: Supplied/Aerobotics

    Optimal yields now at farmers’ finger tips

  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought
No Result
View All Result
Food For Mzansi

‘Farmers near breaking point due to crime,’ warns FSA

by Staff Reporter
7th October 2020
in News
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
‘Farmers near breaking point due to crime,’ warns FSA

Free State Agriculture has blamed rising tensions in the town of Senekal over the last two days on growing frustrations due to crime. Photo: FSA/Twitter

As Agri SA drew the curtain on the first day of its virtual annual congress, Free State Agriculture (FSA) has pleaded with government to abandon political ideologies and, instead, prioritise the well-being of the nation’s food suppliers.

As tension between government and farmers continue to rise following the murder of Brendan Horner, a 21-year-old Senekal farm foreman last week, FSA president Francois Wiken warned, “For too long, the agricultural sector… were appeased with all sorts of excuses and denials of the slaughter that is also taking place among black communities. It seems as if the dam wall is giving way.”

Free State Agriculture says out of the 84 towns in the province, 44 have handed over memorandums to local police stations calling for the prioritisation of crimes on farms. Photo: FSA/Twitter

On Tuesday, violent clashes between police and farmers have erupted at the Senekal magistrate’s court where two suspects appeared for the murder of Brendin Horner.

ADVERTISEMENT

Since then, many South Africans have reacted in range after about 100 people stormed the court. Gunshots were fired, court property damaged and a police vehicle set alight. Also, two ministers, Bheki Cele and Ronald Lamola, have condemned the violence that unfolded at the court.

“Accumulated frustrations leads to certain people taking matters into their own hands and a kind of vigilantism emerges, as took place in Senekal,” said Wilken. “FSA, once again, call on the government and the police to consider rural areas as a priority in service delivery, especially with regard to higher visibility investigation of stock-theft crimes, as well as the necessary intelligence structures to create safer and sustainable communities.”

ASLO READ: ‘Government, keep your hands off farming,’ pleads Agri SA boss

Kobus Visser, director: rural safety and provincial affairs at Agri SA. Photo: Supplied

Wilken’s message follows hours after Kobus Visser, director: rural safety and provincial affairs at Agri SA, told attendees as their virtual congress that farm attacks continue to cast a dark shadow over food security.

He too warned that while police and organised agriculture’s relations have improved, a more effective strategy was needed to combat attacks on farmers and their workers, stock theft and the destruction of farm infrastructure.

Only time will tell whether government will launch concrete strategies to combat farm attacks and farm crime in rural communities, said Visser. “Government has broken their silence in more recent farm attacks as they now realise the worth of agriculture.”

ALSO READ: ‘Everyone on a farm is a victim or potential victim’

Visser added that more collaborative efforts should be made in tackling the scourge. “Through our provincial structures, we are prepared to work with both the police and government to create safer environments for farmers and workers to conduct their operations without the lingering threat of attacks and crime.”

‘Crucial role to support farmers’

Jolanda Andrag, head of Agri SA’s commodity chamber. Photo: Supplied

Meanwhile, also today at the Agri SA congress, three different chambers also reported on their work and challenges. Sinesipho Tom assured attendees that Jolanda Andrag, head of the commodity chamber, assured attendees that it was playing a crucial role to support farmers and the entire agricultural value chain.

ADVERTISEMENT

The commodity chamber has 26 members in livestock, agronomy and horticulture, said Andrag.

“We are unbelievably privileged to have a bird’s eye view of so many industries… and to see how each have their vulnerabilities, whether it is the logistical stuff, animal health, capacity issues or market access.”

Pandemic’s impact on Agri SA’s corporate chamber

Mihlali Xhlala, head of Agri SA’s the corporate chamber. Photo: Supplied

Mihlali Xhlala, head of the corporate chamber, described the 59 members under her wing as “the upstream and the downstream of the agricultural value chain.”

Xhlala said, “My chamber’s greatest achievement was purely supporting the farmers during this time. We started the year with a bang. We had an embassy (event) where over 500 countries were represented and then, I think, very shortly that night we had covid-19.”

According to Duncan Masiwa, Visser later also joined a discussion with Cornie Swart, chairman of the general chamber. They deliberated on how the pandemic challenged the chamber, but also presented new opportunities.

Visser said they needed to “support producers with the interpretation of regulations, permits, and making information sheets available. There was also a restriction on the capacity of vehicles, and we made requests that it be lifted also for private vehicles and it was granted.”

ALSO READ: ‘Can someone in government please stand up?’

Tags: Agri SAAgri SA virtual congressFrancois WilkenFree State AgricultureFSAJolanda AndragKobus VisserMihlali Xhlala
Previous Post

Namaqualand farm fencing project creates 100 jobs

Next Post

‘Let’s double Pinotage’s contribution to SA economy by 2025’

Staff Reporter

Staff Reporter

Researched and written by our team of writers and editors.

Related Posts

Christo Van der Rheede is the executive director of Agri SA. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Former music teacher leads agri’s greatest symphony

by Duncan Masiwa
12th August 2022
0

As Agri SA’s executive director, Christo van der Rheede has managed to gain great admiration from farmers and agricultural organisations....

Mzansi's wool farmers and exporters fear a repeat of the last export ban to their biggest market, which lasted eight months. Photo: Supplied/Cape Wools SA

Pleas for intervention on devastating wool ban

by Staff Reporter
4th August 2022
0

In case you missed it: Two leading organisations are calling for the SA government to step in and prevent devastation...

South Africa's agricultural sector is slowly attracting more young farmers. But in order to persuade more to come on board, real examples of young entrepreneurs being supported is paramount, believe agricultural economists at the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), Kayalethu Sotsha and Khodani Madula. Photo: Supplied/AdobeStock

More youth needed in agriculture sector

by Kayalethu and Khodani Sotsha and Madula
19th July 2022
0

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: South Africa's agricultural sector is slowly attracting more young farmers. But in order to persuade more to...

Archive photo. OneFarm Share distributes excess food from farms to hungry South Africans through reputable distribution partners such as FoodForward SA. Agri SA is now on board to get more produce into the network. Photo: Supplied/FoodForward SA

Agri SA to help send out 40 million meals

by Staff Reporter
19th July 2022
0

Less waste. Less hunger. With Mandela Day fast approaching, Agri SA announced yesterday that its new partnership with OneFarm Share...

Next Post
‘Let’s double Pinotage’s contribution to SA economy by 2025’

'Let's double Pinotage's contribution to SA economy by 2025'

Beat the winter blues with yummy butter chicken
Recipes

Beat the winter blues with yummy butter chicken

by Noluthando Ngcakani
12th August 2022
0

MZANSI FLAVOUR: Calvin Venter might be young, but he has been working as a chef since the tender age of...

Read more
Households in South Africa could be in for some respite in the coming months on food prices. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Food may soon be cheaper. What’s the catch?

12th August 2022
Archive photo. Western Cape agri MEC Ivan Meyer highlighted small towns' dependence on agriculture during a recent provincial summit with municipal leaders. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

ICYMI: MEC lines up municipal support for farmers

12th August 2022
Christo Van der Rheede is the executive director of Agri SA. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Former music teacher leads agri’s greatest symphony

12th August 2022
Bumper harvest for Mzansi’s olive growers

Bumper harvest for Mzansi’s olive growers

11th August 2022

Former music teacher leads agri’s greatest symphony

ICYMI: MEC lines up municipal support for farmers

Yes, precision irrigation is possible on a budget

Seasonal farmworkers struggle to get UIF

New farmer? Informal markets ‘the way to go’

ICYMI: Mama Fifi determined to rise again

THE NEW FACE OF SOUTH AFRICAN AGRICULTURE

With 12 global awards in the first three years of its existence, Food For Mzansi is much more than an agriculture publication. It is a movement, unashamedly saluting the unsung heroes of South African agriculture. We believe in the power of agriculture to promote nation building and social cohesion by telling stories that are often overlooked by broader society.

Farmer 101: Top tips to grow spring onions

How the Internet of Things is transforming agri

Drug dealer turned farmer ploughs back

Beat the winter blues with yummy butter chicken

Food may soon be cheaper. What’s the catch?

ICYMI: MEC lines up municipal support for farmers

  • Our Story
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824
News: info@foodformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought

Copyright © 2021 Food for Mzansi

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.