By Alani Janeke
Safety in rural areas and the safety of farmers and farm workers is an issue that will definitely be discussed during President Cyril Ramaphosa and his delegation’s visit to America, said John Steenhuisen, Minister of Agriculture.
Constructive discussions took place on Tuesday 20 May between South Africa’s team, which must handle trade relations in America, and Ambassador Jamieson Greer of America. John Steenhuisen, Minister of Agriculture, confirmed this in a post on Facebook after a meeting with Greer and his team. The American Senate inaugurated Greer in February this year as the 20th trade representative of America.
Steenhuisen is part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s delegation that will meet with President Donald Trump and his team in America on Wednesday to discuss various issues.
Rural safety and expropriation issue
In an interview with several television channels, including the SABC, Steenhuisen said on Tuesday he was certain the issue of the security of farmers and farm workers would come up during the delegation’s visit.
“I have no doubt the issue will come up over the period (in America). And let’s be honest, we have a rural security problem, and because of the poor police resources in the rural areas, these communities are incredibly seriously affected by it.”
Steenhuisen says one of the issues that needs to be considered is the establishment of partnerships with other countries regarding rural security strategies, because rural communities in other parts of the world also experience rural crime. He says a greater emphasis on rural security by the police, in collaboration with security organisations, farm guards and farmers’ associations, should also be seriously considered.
Regarding the Expropriation Act and the concept of expropriation without compensation, Steenhuisen noted he is sure this issue will also be discussed. He is of the opinion that the court will provide clarity on the Expropriation Act that is being challenged by the DA in court and that the country will be able to work on a way forward accordingly.
“But I have to return to the point that we need to resolve the imbalances in land ownership. But we need to do it in a responsible manner and in a way that ensures we do not harm the economic future of the country and endanger food security in the country.”
Exports will receive strong attention
Although Steenhuisen was not yet sure in the interview what specific tasks Ramaphosa might still assign him for the meeting with Trump, he said as Minister of Agriculture he must protect the local industry and jobs in the industry, and ensure South Africa maintains access to export markets.
“Especially in terms of very important niche (driven) issues and products. Wine, citrus, nuts and table grapes have very, very large exposure to the American market. Although America only accounts for about 7% of our international agricultural exports, it is very concentrated in those sectors. And towns like Citrusdal in the Western Cape are almost entirely dependent on access to the US market. So, for me, I am here for one reason, and that is to ensure we protect our agricultural jobs and our agricultural economy in South Africa by ensuring we maintain market access. And by ensuring we maintain access to a very important market on a favourable basis.”
WATCH | Minister John Steenhuisen speaks to Newzroom Afrika about the key engagements the South African delegation has had with US counterparts ahead of President Ramaphosa’s upcoming meeting with President Trump.
Message from farmers
Steenhuisen says after spending two days with farmers and agricultural organisations at the Nampo Harvest Day last week, the message he got from farmers is that the agricultural sector, and certainly the farmers he spoke to, are 100% committed to South Africa.
“They don’t want to go anywhere else. They are happy to be in South Africa. And of course we have problems with roads, security, ports and the inefficiencies. But they see them as solvable. And that is also one of the reasons why I am here. We are here to solve an issue that is so important. We are here to solve an issue that has arisen. And I am confident that by working together as an agricultural sector, farmers, farm workers, organised agricultural organisations and agribusinesses, we can find a solution to the problems. That is ultimately the essence of being South African. You make a plan. You find a way through it. And our whole history has been defined by the fact that when we stand together, we can solve issues and problems.
“It is when we are divided that we end up having big problems that seem insoluble. And that is why I am committed to bringing people together in a South African way to find a way to overcome the problems.
“And we must not be naive. We have problems. This is not a jolly hockey sticks tour that says there is nothing to see in South Africa, everything is fine. We know we have a crime problem. We know we have a land issue. We know we have an economy that is not growing. But I am here to be part of a solution. And not just to stand on the sidelines and throw stones. But to get into the arena now and start doing something to make sure we as South Africans stand together. So that the government of America can see the majority of South Africans – black, white, Indian, coloured, whatever – are in South Africa to stay. We want a country that works for all of us.”
