A man who believes in open dialogue

When Senzeni Zokwana was appointed minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries in May last year, the media focused on just two things: he was a former president of the National Union of Mineworkers and national chairperson of the SA Communist Party.

A man who believes in open dialogue
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Many commentators suggested that Zokwana’s background could lead to increased politicisation of the agriculture sector. At that time, Farmer’s Weekly quoted Gideon du Plessis, general secretary of trade union Solidarity, who highlighted Zokwana’s strengths, including his sound leadership skills and the ability to remain impartial in times of conflict.

 

Agri minister Senzeni Zokwana calls on farmers to engage with government about the
proposed 12 000 ha land ceiling.
 

Referring to Zokwana’s handling of Marikana, Du Plessis said he had always attempted to find a balance between the interests of the workers and those of their employers. In our first interview with Minister Zokwana, published in July last year, he told our journalist Denene Erasmus that his years in trade unions had taught him that “you do not have to be friends with the people you negotiate with; you should only aim to find a common objective”.

“I believe in dialogue, and that true and open dialogue between government, employers and workers breaks down prejudices and helps build relationships and mutually beneficial partnerships between government and the farming community,” he said.

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At that time, Zokwana had already initiated meetings with various agriculture bodies. This week, exactly nine months after his appointment, Erasmus interviewed the minister once more (see page 36).Refreshingly, he spoke about his department’s weaknesses in a frank manner and pointed to the disconnect which could result from decisions being made at national departmental level without properly consulting provincial, regional and local structures.

True to our initial reporting, he refrains from making empty promises. Rather, he continues to invite discussion, and his invitation comes at a very apt time. Last week, as this issue of Farmer’s Weekly was being printed, a land reform imbizo between government, business and commercial organised agriculture was held in Johannesburg. The imbizo formed part of ongoing discussions on finalising government’s land reform policy.

And, joining land reform minister Gugile Nkwiti and ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe was Zokwana, the man committed to open dialogue.

Let us hope that during these discussions, relationships will continue to be built and that a “mutually beneficial partnership between government and the farming community” will be made possible. – Anneli Groenwald (Deputy Editor)

Alita van der Walt is in Europe on an agribusiness tour.