The Izwi Labantu Forum has accused the government of failing to respond to the concerns of black emerging farmers, more than three months after a march to the Union Buildings. The organisation, which represents black farmers and rural communities, submitted a memorandum containing 14 demands to Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Bianca Mhlauli in January.
Tensions between the Izwi Labantu Forum and government officials have escalated, with the organisation’s executive chairperson Norma Mbatha and Mhlauli engaging in a heated exchange over the progress made on the memorandum. The dispute highlights the struggles faced by black emerging farmers in South Africa, who are calling for urgent government intervention to address challenges including land access, agricultural support, funding delays, and marginalisation.
Demands for Government Intervention
The memorandum submitted by the Izwi Labantu Forum and other organisations representing black farmers and rural communities, called for government intervention to address the challenges facing black farmers. The demands included access to land, funding, and support for agricultural development, as well as an end to the marginalisation of black farmers. According to the South African Government website, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development is responsible for promoting agricultural development and supporting farmers.
However, the Izwi Labantu Forum has accused the government of failing to honour its commitments to black farmers. The organisation’s spokesperson and Gauteng leader, Melissa Davids, said that the Deputy Minister’s handling of the matter had been disappointing. “We are disturbed by the conduct displayed towards our executive chairperson Norma Mbatha,” Davids said. “Instead of focusing on the serious concerns raised by black farmers, the Deputy Minister resorted to personal remarks and accused Ms Mbatha of seeking attention without explaining what she meant.”
Challenges Facing Black Farmers
Black farmers in South Africa face numerous challenges, including limited access to land, funding, and support for agricultural development. According to the Wikipedia page on Agriculture in South Africa, the country’s agricultural sector is dominated by large-scale commercial farmers, who have greater access to resources and support. The Izwi Labantu Forum has accused the government of failing to adequately support black farmers, despite repeated promises of transformation in the agricultural sector.
Some of the key challenges facing black farmers include:
- Limited access to land and funding for agricultural development
- Lack of support for agricultural development, including access to seeds, fertilisers, and equipment
- Marginalisation and exclusion from decision-making processes
- Limited access to markets and trade opportunities
The Izwi Labantu Forum has called on the government to take urgent action to address these challenges and support the development of black farmers in South Africa.
