By Lebogang Mashala
Yesterday, we held our African Farming Finance and Related Production Matters for Farmers workshop in Baziya, just outside Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. As the date approached, I couldn’t help but think about the disaster that had occurred just a few weeks earlier. Driving through the area en route to the venue, it felt surreal to be in a place where, only a few weeks prior, devastating floods had occurred. Just days ago, people were searching for missing loved ones – especially children – and trying to salvage their belongings and homes. Now, as we drove past, it appeared that life had returned to normal. The streets of Mthatha were bustling, with small businesses, such as food vendors and fruit stalls, operating as usual.
However, I felt a pang of sadness thinking about how people have to carry on as if everything is normal while the government they elected does nothing to support them. It seems almost as if the community has given up, resigned to the fact that they cannot rely on the government for help. Many families had to bury the victims of the disaster on their own, without any assistance from the government, while the Premier took leave to attend to personal matters.
At times, I want to set politics aside and focus on the more positive aspects of our country. When we arrived at the venue yesterday morning, the turnout appeared low, as people arrived gradually. But as we approached the starting time, the hall filled with enthusiastic attendees. Despite the challenges facing the community, we must commend the efforts of our farmers, particularly smallholder farmers. The conversations throughout the day were incredibly inspiring, and the testimonies shared by these farmers were truly remarkable.
I emphasise smallholder farmers because their struggles often go unappreciated until you truly witness the difficulties they face. Farmers in general are grappling with numerous challenges, including skyrocketing input costs that have been climbing sharply in recent years for various reasons. The rise in input costs has been worsened by adverse weather conditions, particularly the heavy rainfall experienced over the past few months, which has severely impacted farming activities, especially for grain producers.
During the event, some farmers expressed their concerns about the aftermath of the heavy rains that caused flooding. The intense winds uprooted maize plants, leaving them nearly flat on the ground. Now, they face the challenge of how to harvest the maize since traditional harvesters won’t be able to do the job. The farmers requested that AFGRI provide them with advice and possibly production loans moving forward.
After the event, we decided to inspect the damage the farmers had discussed. We visited the Juwele family farm, which isn’t far from the venue. The first thing that struck me was the tough terrain in which these farms are situated and the poor condition of the roads. It was clear the farmers have very few implements, and those they do own are old and unsuitable for the difficult conditions they face. I often ask myself why anyone would want to farm in such challenging circumstances, and how they manage to keep going. The only answer I could come up with is that they have a genuine passion for what they do.
This reminds me of a couple of remarkable farmers I met a few years ago in the Eastern Cape: Goodman Ginyigazi and Columbus Solani, who are communal stud breeders. These guys farm on top of a mountain to try and avoid mixing their flocks with others. They have shown that even when the odds are stacked against you, passion and faith can help you find a way forward.
Many smallholder farmers have demonstrated the ability to succeed independently. Instead of relying on charity, they need legal land ownership and access to financial support from institutions that do not discriminate based on the lack of title. Additionally, they require better roads, electricity and access to water. I believe these are the key factors for a successful land reform programme that can help ensure the country remains food secure and creates more jobs. We must recognise the significance of smallholder farmers, as they have shown their importance within the market and the entrepreneurial value chain.
