Transformation is important to ensure sustainable success in the agricultural sector, said Dr Brand Pretorius, former CEO of Toyota SA Marketing and McCarthy Limited and currently a director of a number of listed companies, during his address at the annual SKOG pre-harvest day held in Moorreesburg.
“If the unequal distribution of wealth would continue in South Africa, it will create the perfect breeding ground for massive social unrest. Would it continue in the agricultural sector, it would create the breeding ground for increased militant statements by certain political parties and add more pressure on the ruling party,” said Dr Brand.
According to Dr Brand, there’s only one solution – to consider a more inclusive economy brought on by empowerment. He called on farmers to bring about transformation on their farms in order to accelerate the empowerment of their workers.
“The militant rhetoric of land reform will continue, and even worsen, if the agricultural sector does not become more active in terms of empowerment,” he said.
He added that there are numerous examples of great transformation projects in the agriculture sector, suggesting that it can be done successfully.
