The transfer of 30% of all farming land in SA to black owners by 2014 has been put on hold due to a shortage of funds.

The attention of the department of rural development and land affairs is now on rebuilding the farms that are lying fallow due to land reform.

Gugile Nkwinti, minister of rural development and land reform, recently said at Agri SA’s operations and farmer development conference that the R72bn needed to reach the target isn’t available.

The department will now rather allocate R4bn from its budget over a period of three years to rebuild the string of farms that became dilapidated after their transfer.

Nkwinti says several government programmes to transfer land from one group to another has caused tension and uncertainty. Farmers with claims on their land lived in uncertainty and made no additional investments in their farms while those who lodged claims started becoming impatient due to the delays with their claims.

As a result, lots of government money fell by the wayside and a new course was charted with the focus falling on the development of land that has already been transferred.

But there is a realisation that it isn’t only about the money, but also about the transfer of knowledge as very few newly advantaged farmers have farming skills.

Nkwinti made it clear that they are eager to foster partnerships with commercial farmers rather than making use of consultants. A specific group mentioned in this regard is retired commercial farmers unafraid to put on an overall and some boots and saying “here’s how we do it”.

He emphasised that the change in direction will have to be politically managed in order to explain to people that it is not feasible to receive a farm if they don’t know how to farm.

The rebuilding process has to go along with the learning of production discipline and the recognition of worker rights. He also referred to state land which is currently disused and which will also be used for the fostering of strategic partnerships with commercial farmers.

Nkwinti has also made the diffusion of racial tension in rural areas a priority by means of cooperation between white and black people via partnerships. “Farmers can do it, because they know black people like nobody else,” he said.

“If we don’t do it, our kids are deprived of a future. Dr Anton Rupert once warned that if the people don’t eat, we don’t sleep.”

“If black people cannot produce, they will make life unpleasant for all.” – Hennie Duvenhage, Sake24

Readers' Comments Have a comment about this article? Email us now.