Members of the agricultural sector are fuming over the vile sentiments expressed in the song “Kill the Farmer, Kill the Boer” enthusiastically sung by EFF leader, Julius Malema.
Over the weekend, the red barrette party leader chanted the controversial song at the party’s anniversary celebrations at FNB Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg.
However, Mzansi’s agriculture sector is not having it.
Western Cape minister of agriculture Dr Ivan Meyer dubbed the chant as irresponsible. Adding that farmers, agri workers and their families deserve respect.
“Farmers and agri workers do not deserve the vile sentiments expressed in the song ‘Kill the Farmer, Kill the Boer’ which was so enthusiastically and irresponsibly sung over the weekend by the EFF,” said Meyer. “Our farmers work hard to produce food for our nation and ensure food security.”
Impact on farm crime
In this context, Meyer said that they are working hard to support and build agribusiness in the Western Cape and South Africa.
Meyer commented, “Through the support of the Western Cape department of agriculture, Beverley Joseph, South Africa’s first black female hops farmer and owner of the 50.8-hectare farm, Zelpy, has developed into a successful commercial hops farmer.
“Klein Goederust Franschhoek Boutique Winery, owned by the child of an agri worker, Paul Siguqa, serves as another example,” said Meyer. “Located in Franschhoek, Klein Goederust has been transformed from its dilapidated state to a promising boutique wine farm.”
The kind of rhetoric displayed over the weekend severely damages the work to strengthen the country’s social fabric, he explained.
There is also great concern for the impact of such sentiments on farm crime. Farm attacks are a reality in South Africa and the increase in farm murders and attacks is a serious concern.
What’s your end game?
Agri SA executive director Christo van der Rheede also expressed his concerns over Malema’s actions and described it as a step too far.
“I personally condemn in the strongest terms the chanting of the words ‘Kill the Boer, Farmer…’ by the EFF leader, Julius Malema at the EFF’s anniversary rally over the past weekend. This is not on, sir,” Van der Rheede said in an opinion piece published by IOL.
“What do you seek to achieve by continuing to chant these highly insensitive, divisive, spiteful and despicable words? All that you achieve is to whip up emotions and polarise our citizenry,” he added.
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