Whether it is right or wrong, farmers in South Africa are largely dependent on themselves to ensure their safety.
“It is time for farmers to accept that they play the most important role in their safety,” said Mr Henry Geldenhuys, TLU SA President.
TLU SA invites South Africans to join forces with a virtual and symbolic walk on 16 and 17 June against farm attacks and murders.
The plan is to walk 6065km virtually in 24 hours. Each kilometre represents one of the farm attacks that have torn apart the lives of families and workers since 1990.
Since 1990, 2182 farm murders have been reported and more than 6000 farm attacks. (TLU SA works strictly according to case numbers to determine statistics.)
“I am pleased to see that a large part of the farming community has put extra measures in place to ensure their safety. In addition to farm guards, there is also greater use of technology. Whether it is right or wrong that farmers are so dependent on themselves, that is the reality in which we live,” added Mr Geldenhuys.
TLU SA gives its members access to trauma counselling and is also there to assist farmers in other ways as needed.
“There is a network of trained counsellors to which TLU SA members have access as needed. It is not generalised counselling; these people know what they are doing and are specifically ready for every unique situation. It is also encouraging when farmers’ fellow human beings stand closer to help where they can. We have learned more than once over the years that farmers’ hands and hearts are open to his fellow man.”
If you also want to support the symbolic walk and show that the safety of farmers is important to you, register and have your name appear on the list of supporters. However, if people want to be more involved and show their support in an active way, here is another option to be part of the campaign: You can walk or run – 6km or 6065 steps – take photos and share them with us on Facebook or Instagram with the campaign’s hashtags: #plaaslewens #plaasstap #tlusa
Here is the link to register and be part of the walk https://stapsaam.co.za and if you want to see what the route looks like visit https://stapsaam.co.za/stap-saam/
