Page 11 - 28 June 2024

THE REPORTER 28 JUNE 2024 · PAGE 11

The theme of cooperation conditions of exclusion in
and unity was a constant in South Africa at that time.
President Cyril Ramaphosa's "We can talk about wars and
s p e e c h d u r i n g h i s who killed and attacked
inauguration on Wednesday, whom, but there was no
19 June, in Pretoria. After an formal structure," says Van
election where no party Zyl. "Property rights were
achieved an outright vested in the tribal chief, who
majority, he emphasised that granted usage rights to
cooperation between parties people at his discretion.
i s n o w o f u t m o s t Therefore, the story that
importance. "We commit people were deprived of their
ourselves to the task of property rights is not entirely
democratic renewal, social correct."
a n d e c o n o m i c TLU SA believes that if the
transformation so that no ANC prides itself on being a
one is left behind," he said. non-racial nation and that it
However, the agricultural is now important for
organisation TLU SA everyone to work together,
believes these statements a s a n a g r i c u l t u r a l
about non-racial and organisation, we cannot
national unity sound hollow cooperate if departments
when his ministers issue look at the agricultural
statements shortly after that community with malice,
are based on half-truths, which has only made
distortions, and lies. "The positive and constructive
recent media statement contributions to the country.
released by the Department The perspective presented
of Agriculture, Land Reform by the department in this
and Rural Development, media statement is one-
titled 'Addressing and sided and once again
R e d r e s s i n g C o l o n i a l promises a pot of gold.
Injustice,' portrays white It is also essential to report
farmers as settlers and the success rate of new
speaks with malice towards owners on agricultural
us. This is unacceptable, properties. The question
a n d w e r e j e c t t h i s remains: If the "hunger" for
statement," says Bennie van land is satisfied and there is
Zyl, general manager of TLU still no prosperity due to
SA. internal conflicts among
claimants or the inability to
"We want to express our
disappointment with the cultivate and optimally use
tone and bias of this agricultural land, where will
new promises be made, and
statement, which makes what is next on the list to
severe untested rhetoric and correct the so -called
far-reaching statements that “injustices” of the past?
are untrue and highly
distorted, and deviate The time has come for a
significantly from correct non-racial approach in
historical facts," says Van Zyl. agriculture, where every
"It is well-known that if the individual has equal access
wasted funds by the to land. Those who want to
department due to failed farm must be willing to step
land redistribution attempts f o r w a r d v o l u n t a r i l y,
were better invested in u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h a t
agriculture and genuine agriculture is not merely a
property rights, honest short-term commitment or a
assistance could have been supplement to income, but a
provided to all farmers and lifelong calling. The era of
newcomers in agriculture, settlers, ancestral rights, and
making it one of South preferences is long gone.
Africa's greatest success The realities of agriculture
stories." and restoration now require
rolling up sleeves and
It is noteworthy that this putting shoulders to the
sharp political statement wheel. It's about putting food
from the Department of on the table, and the
Agriculture was released g o v e r n m e n t ' s o n l y
after the appointment of the responsibility should be to
a c t i n g M i n i s t e r o f recognise property rights,
Agriculture, who was create a safe climate, and
previously the Minister of promote a free market.
Water and Sanitation, and it I f t h e u t i l i s a t i o n o f
appears that TLU SA's agricultural land is lost, jobs
concerns about him have will be lost, and the
already been confirmed economic impact, which
within days.
currently supports the
TLU SA believes it is growth of agriculture and the
ridiculous that the ANC economy, will be negative.
c o n t i n u e s t o r e c a l l The reality will remain:
circumstances from 111 Everyone has land, but no
years ago, which involved a one has food. Hungry
c o m p l e t e l y d i f f e r e n t citizens cannot eat land; they
population composition and need food.