In the latest bold policy proposal revealed by Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti is bound to cause more than a slight stir.
The proposed policy would see commercial farm-owners having to give 50% of their land to farm-workers.
Nkwinti said he had come up with the proposal because the previous system had many deficiencies, land reform was imperative and too few proactive proposals were coming from stakeholders in agriculture.
“I formulated these proposals to give them something to work with,” said Nkwinti.
“Stakeholders have until April next year to react. But we really need to move forward.”
The minister said he was excited about retaining the portfolio he has held since 2009. He has set himself the targets of growing the department’s youth programme and handling land claims preceding 1913 by descendants of the San and the Khoi as his main goals for the new term.
Regarding his land reform plan, which has provoked some very negative reactions from organised agriculture, he said it was an effort to establish co-responsibility and co-ownership, which requires sacrifices from workers and farmers.
Land reform has been a hotly debated topic for years and the minister is suggesting that this new proposal will be the best of both worlds for all parties involved. However,
AgriSA deputy president Theo de Jager said organised agriculture would turn its back on Nkwinti’s proposals.
“We are aware of the importance of land reform. We support it and we work with government. The minister’s plan could lead to massive job losses as farmers ensure there are fewer workers on the soon-to-be-divided farms.
“AgriSA favours market-related compensation to the farmer. One needs to remember that farming is a long-term investment. Farmers borrow money with land as collateral. At this stage, agricultural land is worth R155-billion nationally and agriculture debt stands at R89-billion. To effectively lose 50% of their collateral will be a disaster to farmers.”
Back to the drawing board, ANC?
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