Strengthening the relative rights of people working the land
Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, Mr Mcebisi Skwatsha, has hailed the first projects entering the pilot phase of the policy Frame work on Strengthening the Relative Rights of People Working the Land as a shining example of the empowerment of farm workers.
The Deputy Minister was speaking at a walk-about and visit of the York Agric farms in Christiana in the Free State province earlier today (Friday 4 December 2015) as part of the Government’s Imbizo Focus week.
Three projects that were celebrated today involve key partnerships namely the Calby Employee Share Trust, Diamant Agric Employee Share Trust and Belle Rive Employee Share Trust.
“This is a tenure program and it is an example of a good symbiotic relationship between commercial and emerging farmers. Ultimately this is about Strengthening the rights of people working the land,” said the Deputy Minister.
Rural Development and Land Reform has purchased the three farms to the tune of R24 million as part of strengthening the relative rights of farm workers. This will see farm workers participate in the key value chain of the multi million rand potato production.
The total land involved in the partnership is 1 960 hectares. In terms of the ownership structure farm workers have a 51% share in the potato and onion processing plant while 49% vests with the farmer.
The time to accelerate the pace of land reform in South Africa has arrived. Government is pushing ahead with clear determination and steadfast commitment toward the complete transformation of the land.
According to the Deputy Minister, over the past 21 years of democracy, gains have been made but these have not fully translated into the envisaged vision of vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities. Now the department aims to reverse the legacies of the past colonial and apartheid land policies to ensure the majority of previously marginalised South Africans reap the benefit of democracy.
“The class of black commercial farmers was deliberately and systematically destroyed by the 1913 Natives Land Act and re-enforced by other subsequent pieces of legislation enacted by successive Colonial and apartheid regimes,” said Skwatsha.
Deputy Minister Skwatsha says government wants workers to be co-owners who debate dividends, not wages. The department’s position is clear, that land re-distribution has a direct link to the alleviation of unemployment, poverty and inequality in South Africa particularly in rural areas.
Deputy Minister Skwatsha is of the view that the 50/50 policy proposal will not only bring about stability within in the agricultural sector but will also improve food production and in turn ensure food security.
Government is confident that all the afore mentioned initiatives and in partnership with the necessary departments, land reform and redistribution will be sped up thus benefiting many who were previously disadvantaged. Agricultural Land ownership is the key to the reduction of poverty and unemployment in South Africa.
