A call to wear black in tribute to murdered farmers

A farm manager from Franschhoek in the Western Cape, Chris Loubser, has posted an emotional video filmed in his bakkie on social media, calling on all South Africans to wear black on Monday 30 October, to pay tribute to all the farmers who have lost their lives in farm attacks.

A call to wear black in tribute to murdered farmers
Farmers pay tribute to Joubert Conradie, a farmer, who was shot on his family farm near Stellenbosch.
Photo: Agri Western Cape
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This plea follows the fatal shooting of Joubert Conradie on his farm Uitkyk, just outside Stellenbosch, on Tuesday morning.

In the video, Loubser said he felt powerless and asked all South Africans to wear black clothing as a mark of respect to all those farmers who had lost their lives in the same manner.

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He also expressed a wish that a moment of silence be observed to commemorate the victims of farm murders, before the start of the Currie Cup rugby final to be played on Saturday.

Loubser’s video went viral on social media, and by Wednesday the #BlackMonday and #Supportourfarmers had featured extensively on Twitter and Facebook.

According to Kobus Breytenbach, chairperson of Agri SA’s Rural Safety Committee, members will be wearing black on Monday.

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“We are definitely going to pay [tribute] to all the farmers and families whose lives have been irrevocably affected by farm attacks and murders.”  However, he believes that more proactive action was crucial to curb farm murders and attacks.

General Chris van Zyl, assistant head manager of TAU SA, told Farmer’s Weekly that the organisation’s members would also support Loubser’s plea.

“I think as a principle, the public is keen to encourage fellow citizens to [take a] stand against farm murders – this is a positive sign. However, this in itself will not solve the problem. As long as there are criminals with the intent of robbing and murdering farmers, the [scourge will persist],” he said.

In response to a question by Farmer’s Weekly, asking whether farm attacks and murders would be made a priority crime, SAPS section head for media relations, Brigadier Mashadi Selepe, said all criminal offences in South Africa were treated equally.

“No case is superior to another, whether it occurs in the urban or rural environment. All cases receive the same priority.”

She added that the SAPS wanted all South Africans to feel safe, and was ensuring this by employing all the necessary policing resources.

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Jeandré Du Preez is the newest addition to the Farmer’s Weekly team. Originating from a Riversdal farming family, she has farming in her blood. After school she furthered her studies at Stellenbosch and has been working as an agricultural journalist for the past two years. She says she feels privileged to write about an industry paramount to the survival of all South Africans and is inspired by the innovative solutions with which the farming community bridges the many challenges they face. She enjoys being able to combine work with travel and appreciates the modesty and friendliness with which South Africa’s farmers share their accomplishments. She enjoys being able to combine work with travel and appreciates the modesty and friendliness with which South Africa’s farmers share their accomplishments. If she is not writing or visiting farms, you’ll find her relaxing with a good mystery novel or exploring her other passions: travelling and cooking.