Twenty-eight years ago, Mzansi took to the polls to participate in the first ever democratic elections. A better life for all, endless opportunities and equal participation in the country’s economy were promised to those who were previously marginalised.
As the country commemorates this important day in the history of South Africa, black farmers tell Food For Mzansi that much of what Freedom Day stands for remains a dream.
There’s a great need for the country to pause and reflect on the journey it has travelled so far, especially in agriculture, believes National Emergent Red Meat Producers’ Organisation spokesperson Congress Mahlangu.
“Our liberation in South Africa can be described as two steps forward and three step back. The transformation and the access to land in agriculture remain a tipping point,” he says.
“We are still far [from] realising the dream of the return of the land. But over and above [this] we have noticed that the government has failed the black man dramatically in terms of agriculture.”
Mahlangu says the shortcomings are particularly glaring with access to finance, one of the key ingredients in any successful agricultural business. “The Land Bank is in disarray and all the funding institutions in South Africa have collapsed.
“State-owned companies which are responsible for agriculture are basically non-existent. If you ask me, our government has not demonstrated any political will to address and respond to these issues.”
The celebrations don’t mean much
“I don’t think there are many opportunities, particularly for black farmers, because the industry is very tough and capital intensive,” says Mashudu Thobakgale, a small-scale farmer from Limpopo. Freedom Day celebrations don’t have much of an impact on him.
He says it is only in theory that there are no restrictions on him based on his race, and that he has equal opportunities to everyone else.
But he feels what the new-era government has done to support black farmers is not comparable to how the government supported white farmers before 1994.
“We are still way behind. There are opportunities but these opportunities are not met with capacity, or it’s not a full-circle opportunity. You have an opportunity to produce food on communal land, but sustainability is not easy as you need access to markets and funding, etc.”
Capital opportunities still inaccessible
Farmer Zabion de Wee says while there is definitely more opportunities for black farmers than before, there is still a lot of room for improvement.
“It’s open for everyone but the capital opportunities are still with a certain group within South Africa. As long as we have that, and as long as there’s still issues of access to finance and access to land, opportunities to produce freely and easily are still hampered.”
While he welcomes the progress, De Wee hopes to see more opportunities that can be practically exploited by previously disadvantaged people, farmers and youth. “It’s a matter of getting the admin right to make sure we can capitalise on these kinds of opportunities.”
‘Use technology to drive transformation’
Hydroponics farmer Byron Booysen believes that Freedom Day exists to celebrate the quest for optimum freedom: freedom for all in all spheres of life.
“In terms of freedom [of] food security, world security and dignity to our people, we have not unlocked all the potential in this country.
“In terms of transformation, we are still far from it. We need to use all technology possible and means… to fill our minds, to [fulfil] our potential for making food, and to open people’s eyes to farming again.”
Less than 10% of agricultural output
Meanwhile, in a paper by Stellenbosch University Bureau for Economic Research director Johann Kirsten and agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo say recent studies indicated that black South African farmers produce less than 10% of the country’s total agricultural output.
The two authors write that progress has been made as black farmers have joined commercial production and supply chains. However, a combination of factors have entrenched the divide between commercial agriculture (mainly white) and subsistence farming (mainly black).
“Black farmers’ total share of farm output has been held up by a combination of factors. These include the poor and slow implementation of land reform, poor policy implementation, inefficient programmes, bureaucratic delays, and poor coordination within government.”
They say, “At the dawn of democracy, few people probably thought that nearly three decades on, South Africa would still be battling with the phenomenon of ‘two agricultures’.” They argue that this dualism is not sustainable and that the country needs, more than anything else, effective policymaking and the right incentives to ensure a different-looking future.
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