Land reform: government calls for partnerships with farmers
Rural development and land reform are firmly on the government’s agenda, according to Mduduzi Shabane, director-general of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR). Speaking at the 2013...
A shift in pace for land reform?
Speaking in parliament during the debate on the State of the Nation address, minister of Rural Development and Land Refom, Gugile Nkwinti, rejected claims that land reform had failed.
The law can help with labour costs
Most farmers want to avoid having to retrench workers as a result of dramatically increased labour wages and costs associated with conditions of employment. Attorney Rob McCarthy, a specialist in...
SA food safety in jeopardy
Gareth Lloyd-Jones, MD of Ecowize, a health and sanitation company that services the food and beverage sector, believes South Africa needs a dedicated food control agency to ensure that regulations...
It’s time for Eskom to surrender power
Eskom is currently seeking further potentially crippling electricity price increases. Trade union Solidarity argues that new power provider entrants should be allowed to deal directly with consumers and have the...
The Kruger Park’s jumbo jigsaw puzzle
Ron Thomson, conservationist, hunter, former game warden and author, takes aim at the Kruger’s no-cull elephant management strategy. The plan, he argues, is not only inhumane, but a sure way...
SA: reasons for optimism
Violent strikes. Hostility towards private enterprise. Corruption and ineptitude. Our country seems to be on a slippery slope. Yet the SAIRR’s Frans Cronje is bullish about South Africa.
Minimum wages: testing agriculture to the max
A report compiled by the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy, under the leadership of Dr Ferdi Meyer, argues that recent labour unrest in the farming sector is not about...
Losing loyalty
Drawing on his own experience, as well as the work of agri writer Simon Fiske, top rose farmer Ludwig Taschner offers an interesting take on why land reform projects fail.
New Year messages
2012 has brought many challenges to the farming community and many of the problems will continue into 2013. Some agricultural union presidents share their messages of hope for farmers.
Quo vadis South African agriculture?
The National Development Plan (Vision 2030) presents a way forward for agriculture, recognising the importance of commercial and smallholder farming and advocating a pragmatic, engaged approach, explains John Purchase, CEO...
Is Zuma trading land for votes?
Atholl Trollip, DA spokesperson for rural development, believes that President Jacob Zuma might be using the Masibambisane initiative to garner support for his upcoming party leadership battle.
De Doorns: will we heed the lessons?
Management consultant, experienced farmer and regular Farmer’s Weekly columnist Peter Hughes stresses the importance of building good relationships with one’s employees and paying fair wages.
Focus on animal health to reduce antibiotic use in livestock
The negative consequences of the widespread, and sometimes indiscriminate, use of antibiotics in livestock production are of growing concern as it could lead to antibiotic resistance. Dr Hans-Joachim Götz, president...
Reflections on De Doorns
There is a great need for change in a society where the gap between rich and poor grows ever wider. Luke Metelerkamp looks at possible reasons behind the recent destructive,...
Land reform: it’s time to act
Uncertainty over land reform prevails while government dithers. Gerrit van Rensburg, Western Cape’s agriculture minister, says that instead of formulating more plans, government must stick to what works.
Radical new land reform plan: the president’s address
President Jacob Zuma, in his keynote address at the recent Afasa AGM, emphasised that ongoing engagement between government and farmers would help to develop government’s vision for agriculture. He also...
Co-operation: key to success
Agriculture holds promise – provided that all ages and races are brought into the sector. Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson told the Agri SA Congress that co-operation was vital for sustainability and...
Rethink required for agricultural success
The government and farmers need to shift their paradigm to achieve the objectives of a stable, food secure and safe future for all South Africans. In delivering his presidential address...
The value of valuers
The SA Institute of Valuers (SAIV) agrees with Tshepo Diale (24 February) and Andrew Emslie (8 June) that the current land reform process leaves much to be desired.
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