Date: 24/03/2004
Source: New National Party Title: M van Schalkwyk: White Farmers Willing to Help Build South Africa


The NNP knows that white farmers, particularly white Afrikaans farmers, represent a valuable resource for South Africa. They are both a rich supply of know-how and skills, as well as the cornerstones of many rural communities.The NNP believes that it is past time to reach out to these farmers, to join their skills and their energies with those of Government, and to be constructive partners in building our country together.

There are, of course, white farmers who have been closely involved for years in programmes and projects like mentoring, skills development, and the upliftment of our rural communities. The NNP believes though, that even many white farmers who have not yet involved themselves in development, regarded by some as right-wing or conservative, have the common-sense and the understanding to know what must be done to make South Africa work.

The emotions and frustrations about the need to speed up land reform in South Africa are very real. Although the pace of land reform has been held back both by funding levels and the need to release land that is appropriate and sustainable, there is also a persistent belief that some existing white commercial farmers are holding up the process.

Increasingly though there are hopeful signs, in rural communities across the country, that these white farmers are willing to come to the table, to join hands with other constructive partners, and to work together in South Africa to avoid the mistakes that were made in Zimbabwe. Building healthy rural relationships between farmers and farm workers is one of the most important requirements to avert such problems in our country.

This is also why parties like the NNP and the ANC, notwithstanding our differences on a range of issues, work together in Government. Both of our parties understand the importance of stability, and the need for land reform that is orderly, and sustainable – driven by the rule of law. Our country cannot afford Zimbabwe-style land-grabs, even as isolated incidents.

The agreement between the NNP and the ANC offers every community the chance to be a constructive part of the mainstream of South African decision-making. Like white farmers, minorities across South Africa are faced with a choice between withdrawing further and further into small laagers of personal interest, or making a real contribution to building South Africa in partnership with the majority.

In Zimbabwe the historical root of the conflict lay with white and black communities who chose to remain apart – viewing one another as permanent opponents. The NNP believes that South Africa can no longer afford to be polarised into competing camps – we have enough men and women in South Africa who are willing to bring our communities together, to build our shared future in partnership.