6 November 2000
It is indeed a great honour and a privilege for me to be here with you tonight. This function is testament to the reality that South Africa is, day by day, becoming a better place than it was 6 years ago. It is becoming a better and challenging place because of the many tireless efforts of women and men of our country who are keen to make this a Land of our own dreams, and also because of the many challenges that still lie ahead of us.
It was seven years ago during the process to the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) that we recognised the critical importance and centrality of partnerships. The ANC-led movement asserted the crucial role of the state in promoting economic as well as social development. But it also moved further to state that partnerships with the private sector, community based organisation and civil society in general, remain key to the success of our national democratic process. This partnership reflected here tonight probably captures the letter and spirit of the men and women who gathered and formulated the RDP some few years ago. Allow me to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate the Department of Agriculture and all the sponsors for this special partnership. Special for its recognition that our people, in this case women, remain our country's greatest and strategic resource. The sponsors' involvement and sponsorship of tonight's event has indeed broadened the very definition of Social Corporate Investment. Social Responsibility by Private Companies and parastatals must, in the first instance, aim at unlocking potentials and resources, and thereby contributing to sustainable development. Once again, congratulations and good luck with the good work.
It must be said that the programme to develop female farmers embraces Government's view that our success depends to a large extent release the potential of the majority of South Africans, particularly black women. The role of women in agriculture and rural society cannot be overemphasised. Women constitute 70% of the total labour force in agriculture in South Africa. Historically, we speak of agriculture as an economic activity that was dominated by men. The reality therefore is that the critical role played by these women has not been recognised in the past. Part of our radical notion should be attempts to recognise the unpaid labour of women and their contribution to productivity, stability and innovation in the agricultural sector. We are all aware that an agricultural sector that is unstable will never provide food security to all our people.
Government is proud of the various initiatives directed towards improving living conditions of farm workers and in particular of women involved in the agricultural sector. The land tenure rights and extension of labour rights form part of the broad transformation programme lead by the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs. An important aspect of this transformation is the development of female entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector. As an important ingredient for success, this programme must address the issue of access to land and credit. It must facilitate access to knowledge, information and technology, and must directly develop a significant class of female entrepreneurs so as to transform male domination in the agricultural sector. Sooner or later, we need to see our female farmers ascending to the commanding heights of the productive assets of the agricultural sector.
The transformation of this male dominated sector is not only about broadening participation by women, but also about bringing to bear the experiences of female farmers and introducing new ways of conducting business in the sector. I am saying that female farmers are not takers, but they are bringing new ideas and methods to the table.
Our female farmers cannot afford to fail. They are part of a much broader process aimed at the reconstruction of our society. Their measurable success will however be in terms of their contribution to productivity, economic growth, employment creation, and food security. Looking back at the history and location of South African women, I sincerely believe that they will not fail us.
The Female Farmer at the Year Award is aimed at highlighting these challenges and difficult tasks that women are taking in our society and in particular the
agricultural sector. These are women who are saying that they will work in partnerships, with the government to resolve one of the fundamental problems of our society. It is also these women who have pledged themselves to be at the forefront of the Renaissance of the Africa continent.
In conclusion, I would like to congratulate the Minister of Agriculture and the representatives of the sector for working together in this process. The success of the entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector is a victory for all of us.
To the participants in this prestigious award, your nomination itself should serve as an honour and encouragement to do better. It should be a clear indication that the ANC government has pursued a path of economic transformation that opens opportunities for all of us. Yours is to take up the many challenges that we are facing and make the most of them. In the agriculture sector you have the space and creativity to make a unique contribution to make South Africa, and farms in particular, a land of our dreams.
I thank you