In a David and Goliath battle, farmer Ivan Cloete (57) has not only triumphed over politics, but laid bare a series of incoherent land reform policies with no legislative framework. He fought bravely and, in many ways, became a symbol of hope for a new generation of black farmers who are hungry for agrarian reform.
This is the view of Food For Mzansi co-founder and editor-in-chief Ivor Price who today announces Cloete as the agricultural publication’s Newsmaker of the Year. He says, “The many lessons learnt from the Cloete saga, when he was illegally threatened with eviction from his land reform farm, will undoubtedly influence the future implementation of the restitution programme in South Africa.”
A victory for democracy
Former president Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela, says there are a number of lessons to be learnt from Cloete’s victory against government. Mandela is the chairperson of the portfolio committee for agriculture, land reform and rural development.
“First and foremost, it demonstrates that citizens have legal recourse and access to administrative justice. This was thus a victory for democracy as much as it was a victory for Cloete,” Mandela tells Duncan Masiwa, Food For Mzansi’s head of news.
He furthermore points out that there are many inefficiencies in the land reform system which can frustrate players in the agricultural sector. Mandela believes the department of agriculture, land reform and rural development must therefore act swiftly to eliminate these barriers.
Farmers should have the freedom to get on with the business of farming instead of having to engage in protracted legal battles with government, Mandela believes. “We call on the department to do an audit of all similar cases and put in place the appropriate mechanisms for a swift resolution of all these matters.
“Finally, we are cognisant of the symbolic value of this land eviction victory as we have a traumatic past of alienation, eviction and land dispossession. We cannot in the democratic era perpetuate old order values and practices that takes us back to our painful past.”
According to Mandela the parliamentary portfolio committee has always maintained that agriculture has an important role to play in driving the national agenda. It adds to the GDP, improves food security and enhances livelihoods.
“When state actors play their role and fulfil their mandates, as they ought to, we will see much greater progress.”
Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela
“In the end, this was a positive outcome for agriculture in 2021. We commend minister Thoko[ Didiza and the department for responding to our call to resolve this matter and look forward to even greater cooperation. This story also demonstrates the importance of parliamentary oversight in advancing the agriculture sector.”
A victory for democracy
Meanwhile, Wilmien Wicomb, the attorney from the Legal Resources Centre, believes the Cloete case highlighted irregularities and injustices caused by the department, as well as a series of incoherent policies with no legislative framework.
This, she tells Food For Mzansi journalist Tiisetso Manoko, leaves room for corruption and withholds access to people who should be benefiting from land redistribution. “We can learn that, on the one hand, it is critical to scrutinise the decisions and actions of the department and force them to comply with the law.
“On the other hand, it shows how urgently we need redistribution legislation to clarify the rights of land reform beneficiaries and ensure that the powers of officials are constrained, and their decision-making properly guided.”
Ismail Motala, president of Afasa in the Western Cape, furthermore tells Manoko that the Cloete case demonstrates that land reform cannot be used for personal gain. “Further, that the behaviour of certain individuals who interpret policy according to who they know and not adhering to the rule of law, is unacceptable.”
Motala believes South Africans must unite and speak out against any corrupt behaviour that infringes on their democratic rights. “We cannot be silent and, thereby, allow officials to behave in a manner that embarrasses the constitution of our beloved country.”
ALSO READ: Duncan Masiwa chats to Ivan Cloete, our Newsmaker of the Year
