Borders and jobs: What the ‘March and March’ debate means for SA’s agricultural labour force

As dawn breaks across South Africa each morning, thousands of farm workers are already hard at work. Long before most South Africans begin their day, they are planting, pruning, harvesting and preparing the food that eventually reaches our tables. Yet despite their indispensable contribution, their labour often goes unnoticed until debates emerge over who should be doing these jobs.

By Ella Mogashoa, a researcher in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the North-West University (NWU)

There is an irony in the familiar saying, “the early bird catches the worm”. For many agricultural workers, rising before sunrise and labouring until dusk does not necessarily translate into economic security, prosperity or a fair share of the value they help create.

On 30 June 2026, thousands of South Africans participated in the “March and March” movement protests, calling for stronger immigration enforcement and greater protection of employment opportunities for South African citizens. At the heart of the demonstration lies a concern shared by many unemployed South Africans, the belief that undocumented foreign nationals are occupying jobs that should belong to local citizens.

It is a concern that deserves serious consideration. However, it also requires a careful examination of what stricter immigration enforcement could mean for sectors that have historically depended on migrant labour, particularly agriculture.

South Africa has a long history of public demonstrations as expressions of social and economic frustration. From anti-apartheid resistance to labour strikes and service delivery protests, marches have reflected the pursuit of justice, equality and opportunity in the country. Today, with unemployment, particularly among young people, remaining one of the greatest socio-economic challenges in South Africa, it is understandable that immigration has become a focal point of public debate.

However, history also teaches us that complex economic challenges rarely have simple solutions.

The discussion should move beyond identifying who currently occupies jobs. We should be asking how South Africa can build a labour force that is equipped to compete in a rapidly changing agricultural economy, while ensuring that businesses remain productive and food systems remain resilient.

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The reliance of agriculture on migrant labour

Labour market analyses and agricultural sector reports indicate that a significant proportion of the agricultural workforce of South Africa originates from neighbouring countries such as Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Lesotho. This labour structure has developed over decades and reflects the seasonal nature of agricultural production, the physically demanding nature of farm work and the remote locations where many farming operations are situated.

Many South Africans are understandably seeking employment. Yet agricultural employers have often struggled to recruit and retain sufficient local labour during intensive planting and harvesting seasons.

Should stricter immigration enforcement significantly reduce the availability of migrant workers, farmers could face labour shortages during critical production periods. Labour-intensive industries such as horticulture, fruit production and vegetable farming depend heavily on workers being available at exactly the right time. Delays in harvesting can reduce product quality, increase crop losses and result in significant financial losses that ripple throughout the agricultural value chain.

Ultimately, disruptions to agricultural labour supply can affect food production, increase food prices and place additional pressure on the broader economy of South Africa.

The agriculture sector is deeply interconnected. When labour shortages occur at farm level, the consequences extend beyond individual producers. They affect supply chains, food availability, market prices and ultimately consumers.

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Balancing enforcement with economic realities

The legislative framework of South Africa is clear. The Immigration Act 13 of 2002 prohibits the employment of foreign nationals without valid documentation and places a legal responsibility on employers to verify the status of employees.

Compliance with the law is both necessary and non-negotiable.

However, a sudden escalation in inspections and enforcement activities may also create administrative and operational challenges for agricultural businesses already operating under rising production costs, climate uncertainty and narrow profit margins.

The question is not whether immigration laws should be enforced, they absolutely should. The real challenge is implementing enforcement in ways that uphold the law while maintaining economic stability, protecting food security and allowing businesses sufficient time to adapt.

A balanced approach allows the government to strengthen legal compliance while minimising unintended consequences for one of the most strategically important economic sectors of the country.

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Preparing South Africans for the jobs of tomorrow

The agricultural labour market of South Africa has been shaped by decades of economic change, labour mobility, technological advancement, education levels and evolving production systems.

While stronger border management may respond to some public concerns, it cannot, on its own, resolve the unemployment crisis in South Africa.

Agriculture itself is changing rapidly. Modern farming increasingly requires expertise in precision agriculture, data analytics, renewable energy systems, mechanisation, agribusiness management and integrated supply chains.

The future of employment in agriculture will increasingly depend on skills. Investing in education, vocational training and agricultural innovation will better position South Africans to access quality employment opportunities across the agricultural value chain.

Rather than focusing solely on who occupies existing jobs today, South Africa should also prioritise preparing its workforce for the emerging jobs of tomorrow.

Also read: An engineer in the orchards – Turning a distressed farm around

Looking beyond borders

The debate surrounding the “March and March” movement presents an opportunity for broader reflection.

The future prosperity of South Africa will depend not only on effective border management but also on building an inclusive, skilled and competitive workforce capable of driving economic growth and ensuring long-term food security.

As graduates, policymakers, employers and citizens, perhaps the most important question we have to answer is not simply who should occupy the jobs of today but whether we are doing enough to prepare the next generation for the opportunities of tomorrow.

Our greatest investment should be in developing people. When South Africans possess the skills, knowledge and adaptability required by a modern economy, they become active contributors to sustainable growth. The future of agriculture and the future of employment depend not only on protecting opportunities but on creating them.