At the 2008 Free State Agriculture Congress, re-elected President of Free State Agriculture Louw Steytler warned in his opening remarks that he was going to deliver an unusual chairperson’s report, because agriculture as an industry finds itself in unusual circumstances. H e took serious issue with the current threats to the constitution and referred to “politicians with hidden agendas” threatening to kill for an individual.
“There is only one cause I am prepared to die for and that is for the protection of the constitution of South Africa. We should all unite in our opposition to any threats to the constitution, for therein lies our hope for the future.” “am not advocating a laager mentality among whites – that will lead us nowhere. All South African citizens should take hands to defend the constitution as the ultimate protection of our basic human rights.
We as Free State Agriculture would never have been able to take the government to court about the disintegration of safety and security on the Lesotho border were it not for the protection afforded to us by the constitution. And am in full agreement with Dr Kader Asmal that the very institution is undermined by agents in the current order with special agendas.” Steytler asked civil society to oppose any onslaughts on the constitution. “We as an organisation have a responsibility to act as agents of reason. We will take up the gauntlet as activists for the protection of the constitution and for reasonability to prevail.
It is of critical importance not only for agriculture, but society in its entirety that the constitution remains in place as it is.” T he abolition of the willing-buyer, willing-seller principle is in direct contravention of the constitution, according to Steytler. He also said the proposed Expropriation Bill would be fought tooth and nail by all democratic means possible. “Can you imagine the social implications if the agriculture minister has the power to decide on the price of agricultural land? The provision of food in South Africa will be seriously impacted. Zanu-fication of agriculture will, without any doubt, lead to famine.
Let Zimbabwe be remembered as how not to transform society.” “How could President Mbeki allow the situation to disintegrate to such an extent? Not only in Zimbabwe, but the Eskom fiasco and the HIV/Aids pandemic bear witness to the fact that he is out of touch with reality.” “Free State Agriculture has set itself the task of being the voice of reason and sanity – an unusual task for an agricultural organisation in unusual circumstances,” Steytler concluded. – Annelie Coleman
Free State farmers poised to create safer communities
Only days before deputy minister of justice, Johnny de Lange admitted in parliament that government has lost control over the crime situation in South Africa, Koos Breytenbach, chairperson of Free State Agriculture’s committee for law and order, told delegates to the organisation’s congress in Bloemfontein that SA is one of the five most severely crime-affected countries in the world.
“South African authorities have failed miserably to create a safe environment for their citizens,” he said. Free State Agriculture, however, achieved remarkable success in combating crime since 2006. The number of farm attacks declined from 13 in 2006 to two each in 2007 and 2008.
Breytenbach attributes this to the successful implementation of the organisation’s intelligence service. “This is a service for our members. Suffice to say that we warded off 160 possible farm attacks since 2004. Our aim is to eradicate farm attacks in our province.” But he warned that the situation would not change overnight and that it was critically important that everyone get involved in the fight against crime. Free State Agriculture is currently implementing a rural safety plan as part of its strategy for rural communities to organise and reposition themselves to combat crime. “The rural safety plan is available for all and will be implemented with the sanction of the local police.
The system provides for communities to take control of their own safety. They will take control back from the criminals and make it impossible for them to operate.” “This is a well-planned and professional strategy. We assess the efficiency of the police and the local communities on an ongoing basis. It is, however, important to know that we concentrate on the prevention of crime. We are dead set against the use of violence and will steer clear of it as far as possible.”
“The efficiency of the farm watch system as a means of crime prevention has been proven over and over, and we urge all rural communities to organise themselves in this regard,” he said. e urged the delegates to involve the local police. “We know all the shortcomings and problems the police have, but they are all we have. It’s therefore of the utmost importance to engage them in any way possible. Make contact with the local station commander as a first step – that might stand you in good stead in future.” – Annelie Coleman
