TLU SA acknowledges with gratitude Sakeliga’s stance on the regulations published by Mr. Mooketsa Ramasodi, Director-General of the Department of Agriculture, on 3, 4, and 7 October 2024.
TLU SA would like to take this opportunity to add its voice to that of Sakeliga and reaffirm TLU SA’s position on BEE in the agricultural sector.
TLU SA strongly opposes the way the government is handling transformation in the agricultural sector. The Department of Agriculture has itself admitted that 90% of transformed land has been taken out of production. South Africa simply cannot afford this. The principles of economic sustainability must be consistently applied to ensure and maintain food security and stability in the country. Any legislation must be measured against these principles to ensure it does not have negative consequences for the economy.
New entrants to the agricultural sector must apply the principles of economic sustainability in their operations and accept the responsibilities that come with being a farmer. As far back as 2005, TLU SA presented a workable proposal to the government to implement transformation in an economically responsible manner, but the ANC government chose a different path. Nearly twenty years later, the Department of Agriculture is sitting with a 90% failure rate, which they have acknowledged and published. Instead of implementing a successful plan, the department is now faced with failure. The 10% of new entrants to the agricultural sector who have succeeded did not do so because of government interference. They succeeded by applying the principles of success, aiming for excellence and profitability. Market forces and profitability remain the ultimate measures of success. Therefore, TLU SA believes it is time to give people the opportunity to farm according to the right criteria. Proposals in this regard have been made in the past and can be discussed again, but continuing with a failure rate and repeatedly recapitalising does not serve the interests of the individual, agriculture, or the country.
The role of a stable agricultural sector in South Africa is too important to be subordinated to any political agenda. That is why TLU SA, as an organisation, has never committed to BEE. This does not mean that TLU SA is against transformation, but we reject the form of transformation as viewed by the government. Transformation based on race is inherently discriminatory. TLU SA will only support transformation if it involves economic transformation that promotes economic growth and job creation – for the benefit of its members and South Africa as a whole.
Therefore, TLU SA commits only to economic transformation or empowerment and will work with any organisation – including the government – if it is in the interest of our members and agriculture in South Africa.
The dilemma currently facing the agricultural sector is that the ANC government has politicised various concepts that could otherwise have had good intentions. Therefore, the question must always be: What is the real intention behind any policy? If it is not aimed at ensuring the best for agriculture on economic grounds, TLU SA, unfortunately, cannot support it.
