Since 1990 a total of 1 486 farmers have been murdered in South Africa. This is according to Bennie van Zyl, spokesperson of theTransvaal Agricultural Union of South Africa (TAU SA), who adds that this figure is quite conservative. He says that the number only represents farm murders and that if farm attacks were to be included the figure would be much higher. This makes farming one of the most dangerous occupations in the country.
Reasons why South African farmers want to emigrate
Van Zyl says that farmers feel very insecure about land ownership and their future in South Africa due to the government's "cancerous legislation" towards farming which destroys their trust. He says that the government is supposed to support agriculture but they are actually the farming community's biggest enemy. He says that farmers are also very concerned about their safety in South Africa and often ask if they should just wait to be murdered next.
"If the government does not dramatically change its approach towards agriculture they will lose farmers which will eventually cause famine in the country," he comments. One of the farmers who decided to emigrate to Georgia is Piet Kemp, who says that commercial farming in South Africa is no longer possible and that South Africa will go the Zimbabwean route if things continue like this. He says that "enough is enough" and that he wants to grow old peacefully.
Why Farm in Georgia?
According to van Zyl, the Georgian government approached the South African farming community in order to help them build up agriculture in their own country which has been lost as a result of socialism and communism. He says that the government is very welcoming and wants to learn from South African farmers' expertise. "The Georgian government is dynamic, has a broad vision and wants to better their country for everyone."
Van Zyl has spent the last three months in Georgia and says that he was very impressed by the effectiveness of government institutions and the lack of corruption. During the last three months he has taken an estimated 90 South African farmers on tours in Georgia. He says that most of them were really impressed and made immediate plans to immigrate to Georgia. However, he also admits that there are certain challenges which the farmers are faced with which include the language barrier as well as the much smaller size of land.
"The land can be utilized more intensely and there are also other investment opportunities in the fields of construction and tourism." He also explains that there are schools available that teach in English and German but that these schools are only located in Tbilisi. However, the government plans to establish English as a second language within the next few years. "The challenges are very big and it will not be easy for any farmer to come and be a farmer in Georgia. On the other hand we are positive that there are a lot of investment opportunities for people not only within the agricultural sector but also in other sectors of the economy," he comments.
The situation for farmers in South Africa is becoming increasingly desperate and although most farmers would prefer to stay in South Africa the harsh realities of crime and uncertainty surrounding land ownership are alienating them from doing so. "I don't think the world understands what the real situation is regarding our farmers at this stage in SA. Many farmers are well skilled and capable to produce food but the policies of the ANC Government make it very difficult to do that, says van Zyl.
While the Georgian government has noticed the skills of South African farmers, the ANC government is losing farmers not only due to murders but also as a result of emigration.
Nadine Visagie - I am a freelance journalist and full-time French student who currently live in the South of France with my fiancé. I graduated ...
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