'White farmers must give more'

2005-03-03 22:21

Johannesburg - The SA Communist Party expects greater sacrifices from white farmers than from any other sector to alleviate poverty in rural areas, said farmer's union AgriSA on Thursday.

This followed a meeting between the two in Pretoria on Wednesday.

The SACP had asked for the meeting to discuss the speeding-up of land reform and poverty alleviation in rural areas.

In a statement issued by AgriSA afterwards, its president, Lourie Bosman, said it was clear the parties held different views on how the sector should make a contribution towards addressing poverty.

He said land reform and labour relations were based on market principles and respect for human rights.

However, SACP spokesperson Mazibuko Kanyiso Jara said on Wednesday the farming body was "out of touch with the masses".

Memorandum of demands

Bosman argued that land reform should based on the willingness to take part in transformation within the sector, provided the economic survival of existing role-players was not adversely affected.

Although the SACP had handed over a memorandum of demands to AgriSA, Bosman said it was not clear what the party expected from agriculture.

"Specific reference is made to the fact that research into the whole issue of land reform is required, which, in their opinion, is needed to hold a land summit."

This included land for housing and subsistence farming.

Bosman said: "While AgriSA understands the implications of these issues, it feels the national government and the economy in general should bear the cost of social upliftment."

It was not for organised agriculture to bear these costs alone or disproportionately.

- SAPA