President Thabo Mbeki’s State of the Nation Address on 8 February did not leave issues affecting agriculture “in the cold”, says Agri SA executive director Hans van der Merwe. Among the objectives government plans to address are the weaknesses in processing the Land Use Management Bill, finalising the slow progress of land restitution applications, supporting land restitution applicants and developing and implementing a determined rural development programme.
“Mbeki mentioned programmes but no solutions,” said Van der Merwe. “I think it would be wrong to read too much into what he said as he went out of his way to touch on critical issues facing our society. We must just have faith.”
Mohammad Karaan of the National Agricultural Marketing Council echoed Van der Merwe’s sentiments. “Mbeki came across as calm to instill confidence in South Africans that the government was on track,” he said.
The ambitious plan to transfer 30% of white-owned land to blacks will be met by speeding up land and agrarian reform, which the government has mandated to increase black entrepreneurship in agriculture by 5%/year. “Mbeki failed to mention until when this would be implemented,” said TAU general manager Bennie van Zyl.
“No scientific studies from an economic perspective have been done to ensure government can meet these targets. Government is still stuck in ideological principles which won’t put food on South Africans’ tables.”
he president outlined the challenges and opportunities facing this year, and according to an ANC statement, was on its way to “the creation of a strong economy, more employment opportunities, enhanced crime-fighting mechanisms, social security expansion, and better health and education”.
“The state of our economy reflects the world economy,” said Karaan. “There still needs to be an improvement in most of our industries, such as agriculture. real agenda should be growth, but don’t think that’s being drummed hard enough.”
Mbeki called on the nation to help government meet its targets by “straining every sinew of its collective body to attain a dream”.
“I think government recognises its own shortcomings by asking society for help,” said Van der Merwe. This ties in with a programme to develop sustainable human settlements with universal access to water, sanitation and electricity by 2010 – government is now able to provide 260 000 housing units per year.
“It’s important that Mbeki mentioned this as processes are on their way to meet the challenge of transferring water rights,” said Van der Merwe. “He has challenged local, regional and national government to work together to meet the needs of the poor in deep rural areas. Rural infrastructure is still a high priority.” More focus on meeting the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, and the health of a sustainable environment, will promote continued agricultural production and reduce carbon emissions.
Education remains a high priority, especially correcting weaknesses in the Adult Basic Education and Training programme with a mass literacy campaign that will benefit some 300 000 adults and youth. Mbeki noted that much of the work government was doing wasn’t sufficiently integrated and better communication between departments was required.
Security was high on the agenda. It was noted the fight against violent crime especially was “turning for the worse” and that a new, modern, efficient criminal justice system would be established. No direct mention of the Scorpions’ future was made, but Mbeki did imply the unit’s future would be known by the end of March. “The state is not doing enough to fight crime,” said Van Zyl. “It should declare total war and root out corrupt Police Service personnel.”
Government will set up a new coordinated management structure at national and local level to bring together the judiciary, magistracy, police, prosecutors and correctional services as well as empowering community policing forums. “People are losing their confidence and trust in the police,” said Van Zyl. “Government has a mandate to keep safe and secure.” But Van der Merwe said Agri is pleased with government’s integrated approach to fighting crimes.
Border control and security will also be beefed up. By March this year, parliament will be working towards effective legislation to enhance government’s capacity to fight organised crime. – David Steynberg
