Demographically- correct starvation?

Question

According to a very interesting article that I have recently read, South Africa's agricultural industry is on a downward spiral. It is a fact though, that in the lates national budget the funding for our agricultural industry has been decreased from
R 2.37Billion to R 2.28Billion. This while the ratio of imported agricultural produce toward exported agricultural produce has increased from R 2.40(export) for R 1.00(import) to R 1.40(export) for R 1.00(import), over the last ten years!

Also interesting to note is that the ANC's land reform project plans to have AT LEAST 30% of the workable land in SA belonging to black, or previously dissadvantaged "new" farmers. This would mean that the current 24,6 million hectares of white- owned farms would be redistributed amongst the aforementioned majority. Consider that 200 000 farmworkers have been dissmissed during the past ten years due to infertile attempts to keep redistributed farms operating.

Any thoughts guys?

Answer 1

i saw a very interesting program a while back which also spoke of the failure of land reform in SA.

statistics quoted (and i stand corrected) were saying that 62% of farms handed back by government to "previously disadvantaged communities" had failed completely, and were standing empty. In one case the farmer had even bought the land back from the people!

its all well and good handing the farms back, but if the people can't run it properly, what's the point?

now to the import/export saga.

i think there is a direct corralation between the fact that our balance of trade has gone pear shaped (good pun there) and the government's land transformation actions.

i'm not playing the race card here, and i'm not saying it's not working (38% of it is working), but it's not enough.

it goes back to the saying "give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, TEACH him to fish and you feed him forever".

that's what's happening here. the government is handing out fish left, right and centre, but is forgetting to hand out fishing rods.

The ANC should think just one step further (i made a funny!) and realise that the handing back of farms is a two tiered process. after sales service, as such, is needed. keep the farmer on for a period of 2 years, allowing him to teach the people who now own the land how to work it.

the balance of trade could be put back into proportion in this country within 2 years if this happens.

however, they (the anc) are too busy cutting ribbons and handing out land to realise that they are actually doing more damage than good handing the land back. they're so wrapped up in the moment they dont think (another funny!) about what the poor people who get the land are going to do with it.

and some of you actually voted for the anc? sies!

Answer 2

Well Xeek,

Not sure about demographically correct - but certainly systematic starvation.

Proud is right in all of the above and smiley has hit the nail on the head when she compares the move to Zimbabwe - its exactly the same.

but then that's not surprising as Mugabe only copied the same as what's been happen in sub-Sahara Africa since the 50s.

Every country that has received independence has done exactly the same thing as what has now reached the tip of Africa. And actually now that they have learned how they are much quicker to come to the dictatorship point than ever before so really by the next election watch for no or very little opposition and then a systematic annihilation of anyone who opposes.

Answer 3

Oh , Lord help us. I have heard about numerous instances of farms being run into the ground like this. I agree with Proud2b as he points out that the gove is handing out fishes but not fishing rods, this land is being given to people who have no idea about business economics nor basic farming for that matter.
I think that before a farm is "given " away the potential owner should be made to do a business management course as well as do Agricultural Sciences. This is the only way that will work.
The Key here people is Simple : EDUCATION!

Answer 4

I also read about it in yesterday's newspaper. It's shocking! It's actually starting to happen right under our noses. They replace all our experienced farmers with young farmers with no experience. What were they thinking?! We are turning into a second Zimbabwe slowly but surely. Zimbabwe here we come! Why oh why must we deal with such idiots?! Why are they giving our farmers such a hard time?! They've suffered enough. Why don't they all just move to Zimbabwe and let us in peace.

Answer 5

Desperate times call for desperate measures, now is the time to act.

Answer 6

Ai tog. It's all going the opposite of common sense...
WE'RE ALL GONNA DIEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

Won't somebody please attack South Africa and take over government? Anybody?...No?
Pleaaaase...We'll throw in a free bag of biltong if you attack now...