Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal leader, John Steenhuisen says South African government should repair its relationship with the US government to protect the growth of the economy and jobs.
Speaking during an interaction with commercial farmers in the Free State, Steenhuisen says the executive order by US president Donald Trump was guided by misinformation around the true state of affairs in the country.
He adds that while the land Expropriation Act was not an open discussion in the government of national unity (GNU), the country’s economy should be safeguarded at all costs.
There’s been mixed reactions over the executive order, the DA leader says the country cannot afford to lose commercial farmers who are critical in the Agricultural sector.
Steenhuisen says a delegation should be sent to Washington to mend relations with the US government and explain what the GNU is doing.
“There is no land being expropriated on a mass scale from anybody in South Africa without compensation. It’s not to say that the expropriation act is not harmful and that is why it has been challenged legally by DA, but we have to have to make sure that we safeguard our agricultural sector and jobs of commercial farmers and small-scale farmers,”
The DA leader says the cake is big enough for all farmers in South Africa and everyone’s right will be protected.
“I want our Afrikaans farmers to stay in South Africa to contribute towards food security and to the growing of our economy. That is why I said we move to protect the rights of all South Africans regardless of their race language or culture. Everybody should feel that they have a role to play in South Africa,” Steenhuisen adds.
Some commercial farmers say they still need clarity about the new land Expropriation Act. They say proper public hearings should have been conducted before passing the law.
“We still want a better understanding into this act or bill and see how it will assist us. Already we are faced with many challenges, we cannot afford to have more than this. Trump’s statement was misguided, and I don’t think that is exactly what we want as South Africans,” says Quinton de Bruyn, a commercial farmer.
Some emerging farmers in Thaba Nchu say Trump’s executive order should not create divisions.
The invitation by the Trump administration is described as an escape for Afrikaner refugees whom it says are facing government-sponsored race-based discrimination, including racially discriminatory property confiscation through the new Land Expropriation law.
“Government should fix the existing challenges like stock theft and give us enough support so that we can sustain ourselves. They should leave Trump,” says Phelane Solomon, an emerging farmer.
“The visit by the DA leader is a step to the right direction because we have a lot of things that we complain about,” says Tshepo Thajane, another emerging farmer.
Farmers have also raised serious concerns about the state of the roads in the province.
