The National Livestock Farmers Association of South Africa (NaLFA-SA) has called for faster transformation, targeted skills development and increased investment in rural infrastructure and agro-processing to unlock the potential of South Africa’s livestock sector and to address inequality.
By Lebogang Mashala, editor at African Farming
At the third annual general meeting of the NaLFA-SA held in Pretoria recently, ANC Youth League president Collen Malatji said agriculture and mining remain central to South Africa’s economy, yet ownership and participation in these sectors do not adequately reflect the country’s demographics. “There are two important sectors that keep the South African economy going – mining and agriculture. What they have in common is that the drivers of these economies do not reflect the demographics of the country,” he told delegates.
Malatji stressed that transformation should not be viewed as the exclusion of one racial group in favour of another, but rather as a necessary process to correct historical injustices. “Transformation acknowledges that the majority of South Africans were dispossessed of their economic opportunities. In a democratic country, this correction requires policies that enable those who were disadvantaged to compete on an equal footing,” he said.
He warned that failure to address inequality and exclusion would continue to create social and economic instability.
Also read: From our editor | Rethinking farmer support: Why communal areas need a different approach
Corruption undermines farmer support
Malatji said corruption continues to weaken transformation efforts by diverting resources intended to support emerging farmers. “Farmers are not getting the funding they need to invest in their growth, and we cannot fix the problem without acknowledging that it exists,” he said.
He added that findings from various commissions of inquiry have shown that some public officials entrusted with managing public funds have abused their positions.
Aligning skills with local economies
According to Malatji, South Africa needs to better align education and skills development with the economic realities of each province. Using the Eastern Cape as an example, he argued that agriculture should become a compulsory subject in schools where farming is a major economic driver.
“If agriculture drives the economy of the Eastern Cape, then schools should equip young people with the skills needed to participate in that economy,” he said.
He said this approach could help reduce migration to urban centres by creating opportunities in rural communities.
Malatji also called for greater investment in agro-processing infrastructure and specialised training programmes at universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
“Raw materials should not leave provinces in their unprocessed form. We need processing facilities that create jobs and add value to agricultural products before they reach major markets,” he said.
Despite the Eastern Cape being home to one of the country’s largest livestock populations, he noted that the province has limited abattoir infrastructure, restricting opportunities for value addition.
Also read: Yes, government got FMD response wrong; here’s how we can work closer with agriculture – Steenhuisen
Inequality fuels crime
Malatji emphasised that addressing inequality should be a national priority that transcends political affiliation. “The fight against poverty and inequality is not a political party issue; it is a South African issue,” he said.
He argued that high levels of inequality contribute directly to rising crime. “No one is safe in a highly unequal society, including the wealthy, because they are forced to invest heavily in private security. The fact that South Africa has more private security personnel than police officers tells us the scale of the challenge we face.”
Unlocking communal farming potential
NaLFA-SA chairperson Brenda Maaroganye said the livestock industry must move beyond primary production and focus on integrating farmers into higher-value segments of the agricultural economy.
She referenced the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan, which sets ambitious production targets for 2030. “We need to ask ourselves where we currently stand as an industry and whether we are doing enough to achieve these targets,” she said.
Maaroganye highlighted the untapped potential of communal and smallholder livestock farmers, who collectively own a significant proportion of South Africa’s livestock but remain largely excluded from formal markets and value chains. “The question remains: How do we unlock the potential of communal land and communal property association lands? How do we attract investment into rural processing facilities?” she asked.
She challenged stakeholders to move beyond commitments and focus on practical interventions that will integrate emerging, communal and commercial farmers into the full livestock value chain. “We are still concentrated at the primary production level. Real transformation will happen when farmers participate in processing, marketing and other segments of the value chain,” she said.
Also read: From backyard gardens to commercial markets: R400 000 irrigation boost grows Lady Frere youth co-op
Infrastructure and spatial planning key to growth
<Caption> Acting DG Heimann: Clinton Heimann, the acting Director-General of the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development (DLRRD), said the department plans to accelerate investment in rural infrastructure and spatial development to expand opportunities for developing farmers. Photo: Lebogang Mashala
The acting Director-General of the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, Clinton Heimann, said the livestock sector plays a critical role in rural employment, food security and cultural identity. “For many rural households, livestock represents not only an economic asset, but also a source of wealth, resilience and cultural identity,” he said.
Heimann said the department plans to accelerate investment in rural infrastructure and spatial development to expand opportunities for developing farmers.
Referring to the National Spatial Development Framework 2050, he warned that South Africa faces significant long-term challenges, including rapid urbanisation, water shortages and a growing youth population concentrated in cities. “These are not only agricultural challenges; they are developmental challenges that require coordinated solutions,” he said.
He added that the department’s mandate is to ensure equitable access to land, strengthen tenure security and support sustainable rural economies.
Also read:
‘The market gate is not locked’ – Six strategies for smallholder farmers to gain real market access
Fidelity Foundation and Oliver’s Village grow young farmers through skills development
‘R92 million for black farmers and there’s more to come’ – Kgodiso Development Fund
