Opinion

The ANC’s policy decision to do away with the willing-buyer, willing-seller principle has caused dismay in the agricultural sector. But Dr Theo de Jager, deputy president of Agri SA, argues that this attempt by the government to save the faltering land reform process is doomed to fail.

Don’t cut the economic cake into smaller slices. Make it bigger, says Roelof Bezuidenhout.

Struggling consumers and high costs are threatening the milling industry, says NCM chairperson Billy Oosthuizen. Speaking at the chamber’s 77th AGM in mid-March, he called on members to act as an assertive, credible voice for the industry.

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 Grain SA congress, he said this presented opportunities for the government and private sector to work together to address poverty, unemployment and inequality.

For years, government has come under a steady stream of fire for allowing unprocessed, raw goods to leave South Africa’s shores, only to return as more pricey finished products.

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.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – South Africa’s grain producers run a world class business! This is underscored by the very professional and, dare I say, elegant 2013 Grain SA congress.

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 labour and land law, gives some cost-saving options and advice.

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 for imported food are adequately monitored.

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 opportunity to offer more competitive pricing.

Oh boy, how I love the South African sense of humour! Even in the worst of situations it pops up and makes us laugh at ourselves. And the current scandal regarding all kinds of unimaginable meats in South African meat products has produced a number of jokes.

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 to destroy the park’s biodiversity.