Before we delve into this issue lets be clear that this is just another example of the tactic, by the ANC primarily, to divert from the mismanagement of the country whilst trying to loot what remains. It is directly from the Robert Mugabe textbook on governance. Examples abound, the most recent being the Coligny drama. (See Rian Malan’s article on this). The EFF (Economic Failure Forever) is desperate to get back into the limelight as their only calling card, the former president, has left the room and so they resort to clamouring for a measure that will not being any economic freedom to anyone.
Increasing desperation is the sign that accompanies the loss of hegemony.
First, who is going to feed the people if all the white farmer’s land is taken? From the rabid support by the ANC of Mugabe it appears that the fact that Zimbabwe used to be the breadbasket of Africa is ignored. Since he kicked all white farmers off their farms the country cannot feed itself and has to rely on donated food. Those white farmers have found work elsewhere but their farm labourers have not been so lucky.
Second, there’s no point in taking land from white farmers if the infrastructure is not in place to ensure that this land stays productive. Not a single land claim farm in this country, managed by the claimants, has remained productive. That is a massive failure on the part of the ANC. Some farm workers could become farm managers but this requires prolonged investment in their training and as is obvious the government has little interest in the hard work of teaching skills and consequently uplifting people. Organised agriculture throughout the country has made many offers to government to help in this regard but it has been repeatedly rebuffed.
Third, at least 80% of white-owned farmland is in turn owned by the banks so by taking the land the banks will be unburdened of their load. Do the politicians who are so anti-banker really want this? Also if you cannot use land to guarantee a loan then you are threatening the whole banking system which of course suits another myth, namely white monopoly capital.
Fourth, the people are sick. South Africa is on of the most obese nations on earth. There are many reasons for this however the primary reason is that the people are being fed the wrong food. Imagine the impact if the energy was spent on encouraging farmers to grow food that nourishes humans and heals the land, regardless of the age, sex or skin colour of the farmer. Sustainability is an outdated idea. Regenerative agriculture is the future.
Fifth, how does the scenario play out in the Western and Northern Cape? The original inhabitants, the San, have been practically exterminated therefore there are no possibilities for land claims.
Sixth, the government is the biggest landowner. It is black. The second biggest landowners are the tribal chiefs. They are also black. The chief’s land, being generally the most fertile, has the most potential to produce food for the people however it is overgrazed and mismanaged. No politician has the courage to take on the chiefs and so instead they try to bully white farmers, most of whom are making a humble living on marginal agricultural land.
Arguably the best example of how economically sterile land has become productive is the Amadlelo Agri project in the Eastern Cape. This is how land claims should be handled.
Finally all the talk about race is never going to get us moving ahead as a country. The debate around land should be that those farmers who are building their soils (and therefore water holding capacity) should be encouraged through various incentives and those who are destroying their soils should lose their farms.
Angus
28 February 2018
6 Responses
I live in East Africa, found your blog via Google (Salatin, etc. You know the story). I am also what you might call black. I agree with your view. Yes there are/were historical injustices, but we all know how this game works in the end. A few politicians are trying to grab what there is, hiding behind rhetoric about empowering the masses. What they don’t see is that is a slippery slope indeed. Once arbitrariness takes root, it rarely stops until all is destroyed. You make very good points.
Hi Angus. I am from Bloemfontein and an avid follower of your agri-blog. Blacks are suspicious and equally skeptical of political parties which blind population perception of their institutional/government shortcomings by offering the land-grab rhetoric. Just as they are about perennial poor management of urban municipalities. Voter statistics do NOT lie, when almost ALL metropolitan areas showed that Black majority opt for prudent local council leadership. Accordingly, you will be surprised HOW many Black people also support the notion that White farmers have an entrenched (experience/success) history providing food to the nation. If a referendum is proposed, the results MIGHT strongly show that Black survival beliefs support current White large scale farming ownership. This is so because, Black people are also openly aware that climate trends and credit banks are permanent challenges-bearing partners towards successful commercial farming, making this a highly risky business venture option. Simply, Blacks accept that history has rendered White farmers as suitable mentors to any emerging farmer. Here’s my friendly advice: since you address politically sensitive issues on a global platform (blog), guard against reputational damage to your business, by getting services of an editor. There’s plenty free or affordable expertise in writing circles, avail to offer theoretical insurance to your pieces before you publish. Example: You are either blindly or openly mistaken when you assert that government is Black. You risk being labelled a racist. Please refrain Angus, from emotional publication, at expense of non-White supporters who arw ready to pounce and destroy you on their parallel political blogs. It will come out and sound as if you intentionally write purely for the White audience by assuming (without independent statistical+narrative evidence) that ALL land claims were a failure. They will unforgivingly attack you, knowing very well that you employ&feed Black families – a Christian gesture of which none of them do, while opting for German sedans and gated mansions. Remain Strong and Blessed, My dear patriotic friend.
Duma
Thank for those wise words.
Angus
Angus I stayed with you at your farm some years ago and I am still enamored with your example of reclaiming and rebuilding mass quantities of soil and then giving back to your community with very high quality food. You are spot on with your analysis of the land-grab there in SA and I hope that some of this logic can prevail over the insanity happening now.
While visiting you I observed your habit of leaving off with wearing shoes. I have been doing the same for some years now and it has definitely helped me stay electrically balanced in my body and being. Thank you!
Boyd
Good to hear from you.
Stay barefoot
Angus
This is so true. Real sad where our country is going to.Also,It is so difficult to get the right assistance with farming in the Western Cape.This is all because of the wrong people in their current positions in government.