Madonsela: ‘Invest in people like we invest in crops’

The agricultural industry needs to ensure that it not only invests in crops but in people as well. This was the message by Thuli Madonsela, advocate and professor of law, holding a chair in social justice at Stellenbosch University, at a deciduous industry gathering.

Madonsela was speaking at Hortgro’s technical symposium where she delivered a keynote address on “fulfilling South African agriculture’s potential through shared humanity”.

The event hosted at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West saw thought leaders in the deciduous fruit industry gather under one roof since the start of the week. From young, rising stars to those with the wisdom of many years of experience.

In her address, Madonsela applauded Hortgro for placing shared humanity at the centre of their work in the industry. But she also challenged the industry to ensure that it does not leave anyone behind in terms for food security.

Madonsela told attendees that Covid-19 had exposed how many people were being left behind.

“We need to make sure that people are not left behind in terms of food, water and energy security, and just generally social mobility.”

She said that if the industry and the sector as a whole wanted to see sustainability and resilience as a whole, it needed to put their money where their mouths are.

“Yes, we can invest in agriculture, but we need to invest in people so that the people can invest in agriculture,” she pointed out.

“The Chinese would say if you wanted prosperity for a year, invest in crops. If you want prosperity for 10 years, invest in trees. But if you want prosperity beyond 100 years, invest in people.”

The four-day symposium which comes to an ends on Thursday, 9 June 2022, also featured guest speakers such as the Western Cape minister for agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer, Professor William Gumede from the School of Governance at the University of the Witwatersrand, as well as Agbiz chief agricultural economist, Wandile Sihlobo.

In his speech, Sihlobo highlighted key factors that are constraining growth in SA agriculture.

He pointed to inefficiencies in state administration, infrastructure issues, security, uncertainty, geopolitics and research, and development and a need to widen export markets.