Agri SA president Johannes Möller said the proposal contains elements of what occurred in Zimbabwe. “The negative results of such an approach cannot simply be shrugged off as ‘unforeseen’. Evidence of this can be found in the struggling economy and unfavourable food situation experienced by our northern neighbour,” said Möller.
He said many farmers are participating in land reform actions and Agri SA is continuously engaged in discussions around sustainable land reform that is economically viable.
However, COSATU in the Western Cape supports the land reform proposals saying that it’s the “only way to avoid a war over land” and that “the land reform measures put in place thus far have been inadequate, with only a small black elite benefitting and many farming projects set up to fail.
Speaking at the National Assembly on Tuesday, Nkwinti said blacks will no longer be “bending over backwards” on land reform and restitution.
“We have been bending over backwards as black people, particularly African people … It is time that all of us took responsibility for progress … for South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white,” said Nkwinti, according to SAPA.
Freedom Front Plus MP Pieter Groenewald said these kinds of utterances created total uncertainty in the agricultural community: “Farmers are telling us that they are going to farm in Australia or other countries, because there is uncertainty about whether they will be able to keep their land.”
Social media has been abuzz with farmers and individuals expressing their disapproval on the proposal. This is what they had to say:
- Mhlobo Leta Mboyi Mbane: “No, because it doesn’t make economic sense. Why should I give them 50% of my land? Govt must rethink this policy.”
- Former cricket player Pat Symcox tweeted
Yes after I bond it to the max!"@FarmersWeeklySA: #Poll via http://t.co/K2MfDmh4P2 Would you give 50% of your land to your workers?"
— Pat Symcox (@PatSymcox77) June 25, 2014
- Vivian John Young: “What happens if you still have a bond/loan on the farm? Do the workers take responsibility for payment of 50% of my loan?? I don’t think so….so why should I do such a ludicrous thing….”
- Snethemba Holinhlanhla said that he was a black developing farmer and the idea of giving 50% of land to workers is a “killing weapon of the farming industry in SA”.
- Lise Wallis tweeted:
@FarmersWeeklySA Same must then apply to every business & household – Banks, Insurance co. Every one.
— Lise Wallis (@ahundredangels) June 25, 2014
- Germaine Staley said that if the process was planned properly and a proper agreement made between the farmer and workers, it could be a very lucrative and viable solution. “Co-creating is always a much way to go than trying to struggle through on your own. You would obviously have to have people who are just as committed to the farmer otherwise it would just become a parasitic relationship, but yes, in nature, all elements work together to make the eco-system work, so I think this would be a good thing to trial, at least with farmers who are open to the idea, but I don’t think it should become mandatory,” said Staley.
