“We know the history that we come from; one that divided us as a people. But what we have seen in Kestell is a community that never saw each other through [the lens of] race; [it is] a community that saw each other as people.”
These words by agriculture, land reform and rural development minister Thoko Didiza echoed through the Kestell multi-purpose centre as mourners bid farewell to seven agriculturists who were gunned down on the Lismor farm last week.
The Free State maize farming town came to a standstill as dignitaries joined locals to honour the lives of Portia Nokafu, Christina Zulu, Paulina Moloi, Julia Moloi, Topsy Maduna, Lotty Smit and Rhudie Binta.
Binta is the 17-year-old son of Smit, who was married to farm owner Alheit Smit who first came upon the tragic scene on Friday, 15 July 2022. Yesterday, during another memorial service, Binta’s classmates at Retief High School recalled how he wanted to become a farmer like his stepfather.
A visibly moved Didiza expressed her deepest condolences to the bereaved families, friends and colleagues.
Taking to stage, she said, “As much as all of us know that one day we will go and meet our creator, we never know when, nor do we know how. Many of us seated here had hopes, dreams, and plans of what we were going to do tomorrow with them (the farm killing victims). Today, those dreams have been shattered, and some families do not know who will support them [going forward].”
Didiza was flanked by Free State premier Sisi Ntombela and Thembeni Nxangisa, the MEC for agriculture and rural development in the province.
‘They ensured that South Africans had food’
The pain caused by the Lismor killings cannot be understood or comprehended, said Didiza. “It is because of [us] not [fully] understanding your pain that we ask the God of grace, mercy and love to give you strength as you walk this journey; a journey you have never walked before.”
Acknowledging the pain of the greater Kestell community, the minister highlighted that there was also a different story to be told – a story of love and one in which a new community was being built.
“We know the history that we come from; one that divided us as a people. But what we have seen in Kestell is a community that never saw each other through [the lens of] race; [it is] a community that saw each other as people.”
According to Didiza the five farmworkers who were brutally killed along with the farm owner’s wife and stepson contributed to food security and the country’s economy. To the mourners, she pointed out, they were family members, mothers and children.
However, to the broader public they were unsung heroes who did their bit to ensure that South Africans had food on their plates.
“Often the role of farmworkers and farmers are never understood because sometimes they work in an environment that is not in the eyes of the [public], where they toil and work the land to ensure [food security],” Didiza said.
Meanwhile, two suspects, Kamohelo Motankisi and Lerato Selepe, are in custody for the murders of the Kestell seven. To date, they are already facing 12 charges in connection with the farm tragedy.
During a special ceremony earlier in the week, premier Ntombela said, “It can’t be right for women to give birth to boy children and, in the end, they are the ones who rape and kill us.”
Ntombela vowed to support the bereaved families, adding that she was proud of the provincial police that worked tirelessly to ensure the suspects were arrested.
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