Tina Joemat-Pettersson, minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, has been named African agricultural minister of the year, despite more than one dark cloud looming over her head.
Investment magazine Africa Investor chose Joemat-Pettersson over agricultural ministers from Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Ghana. She received the prize at the 2011 Agribusiness Investment Awards.
Joemat-Pettersson received the award despite financial irregularities pertaining to her hotel bills, which have cost tax payers R1,6 million since she took office in 2009.
Candidates for the award were judged according to their contribution to the growth of agri-business in Africa, good corporate citizenship, capacity building and knowledge transfer, sustainable community development, public-private partnerships and job creation.
Khuthadzo Nevhunama, communications and marketing manager for Africa Investor, explained that Joemat-Pettersson was chosen for her work in highlighting climate-smart agriculture and the hosting of dialogues to engage the private sector, the UN and other major development partners.
He said the hotel bill allegations are not important. “We judge entries on work completed in the agri-business sector. While personal convictions are taken into account, we can’t penalise candidates on allegations.”
However, opposition party MPs were unimpressed.
Deidre Carter, Cope MP and party spokesperson for agriculture, said, “If Joemat-Pettersson is the best agricultural minister (of the seven countries), then I feel sorry for the rest of Africa.” Lourie Bosman, DA MP and spokesperson for agriculture, was surprised.
“She has ruined our department. There is no expertise left. Things are going downhill quickly,” he alleged. “It’s a tragedy that she was chosen, especially since we struggled to give her more than a two out of 10 mark for her performance this year.”
But Mike Mlengana, president of the African Farmers’ Association of SA, said that its recent meeting with Joemat-Pettersson proved that she is making progress.
“There is a lack of capacity and knowledge in the agriculture department, but I think that the minister deserves the award,” he said. Meanwhile, Lulu Johnson, ANC MP and chairperson of parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said, “The minister is doing a great job in putting forward the policies of the ANC to improve the lives of the people.” – Lindi van Rooyen
