If you look close enough, and without filters, traces of former President Nelson Mandela’s remarkable legacy can be sighted throughout the farming fields of Mzansi, right through to the agricultural boardrooms where decision-making happens.
In commemoration of Nelson Mandela Day, celebrated every year on 18 July, farmers and agricultural leaders have called on their counterparts to put their differences aside, have robust meaningful dialogues, address historical injustices, and be kind and fair towards each other.
Food For Mzansi spoke to role players in the farming industry who shared their thoughts on the many lessons farmers, agricultural leaders and decision-makers can take from Nelson Mandela’s legacy.
Madiba believed in inclusivity
CEO of the South African Farmers’ Development Association (Safda) Dr Siyabonga Madlala remembers Madiba as a staunch advocate for social justice and equality, who dedicated his life to fighting against apartheid and promoting a society where every individual is treated with fairness and respect.
“His teachings highlight the importance of addressing historical injustices and creating a more inclusive society. In South Africa’s agricultural sector, agricultural leaders and decision-makers can learn from Mandela’s teachings by actively working toward social justice and equality within the industry,” Madlala said.
“One of the major challenges facing the sector is the historical legacy of land dispossession and unequal access to resources, which disproportionately affects marginalised communities, particularly black farmers. To address this issue, agricultural leaders should strive to create a more inclusive agricultural sector by promoting policies and initiatives that provide equitable opportunities for all farmers.”
Mountain-moving faith
Mike Gcabo, a livestock and crop farmer based in North West, said farmers who embody Madiba are patriotic and faithful.
“Farmers love their country and we see it through the hard work they display which results in feeding the nation. They have deep faith as they believe, sometimes against all odds, that all will be well. Farmers invest their hard labour to feed others, practise self-sacrifice and have deep faith. This faith sustained Madiba during and after his imprisonment,” he said.
Gcabo will be running the Mandela Day race in Houghton on Sunday, and coaching a group of young farmers as part of his 67 minutes.
Be kind and resilient
For KwaZulu-Natal crop farmer and entrepreneur Ntobeko Mafu, Mzansi’s farmers can learn or thing or two from Madiba’s display of kindness, generosity and resilience.
“Tata Madiba never gave up hope, though he seemed to be fighting a losing battle. Amidst all that, he still extended a helping hand to those who needed him by being kind and offering help where he could.
“As farmers, we face new challenges every day like load shedding, irrigation systems, lack of access to land – but we need to be resilient, work hard, never give up and in the midst of chaos, be able to extend a helping hand to those in need and be generous,” Mafu said.
Open dialogues
Phaladi Matsole, who grows maize in the Free State, said that there are many lessons farmers can take from Madiba’s legacy and teachings.
“As a farmer, we must know first that the nation eats because of us. We need to have a deeper understanding that despite the current challenges we as farmers and the sector are facing, the only thing that can bring resolution to all of the dilemmas we face is dialogue.
“That is the lesson that we must learn from former President Mandela: bring everyone around the table and let us talk,” Matsole said.
Equality and respect
Award-winning diary farmer in the Free State, Nompe Zim said Tata Madiba taught her a great deal about equality. “That is what he fought for that there should be equality amongst all people,” she said.
With this in mind, Zim hopes that as the agricultural sector moves forward, farmers are treated equally
“If i walk into a space where I see and sense that I am not treated the same as my white counterpart, or a man or an older person I have a problem, equality is very important. I must say that there is equality because 95% of people I engage I do sense respect and honor for me,” Zim said.
Instead of only doing good on one day of the year, Zim makes monthly contributions in the form of baby wipes, food and supplements to local clinics in her area. Zim discovered that many new mothers suffered in her community after giving birth because they lack support.
Selfless acts of kindness
Bee farmer and Purpose Food Project and Consulting Co-founder, Mbali Ngcobo said, “we need to be selfless as farmers. We need to come together to serve one purpose, feeding the nation.”
“For Mandela Day I’ll serve by continuing to work the land, however I do also plan to visit an orphanage in my area to donate children’s clothes and hopefully a few toys.”
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