By: Zilungile Mkhize
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called on commercial farmers to collaborate with the government in accelerating land reform efforts in South Africa.
Speaking during a three-day oversight visit to the Overberg district in the Western Cape, Mashatile reassured stakeholders that the country would not follow Zimbabwe’s trajectory of chaotic land invasions. Instead, he emphasised a structured and constitutional approach centred on negotiation, land acquisition, and fair compensation.
“We are committed to ensuring that land reform is conducted in a manner that strengthens food security, boosts agricultural production, and supports inclusive economic growth,” Mashatile said.
The Deputy President also acknowledged that the government had made mistakes in the past, particularly in failing to adequately support land reform beneficiaries. Many previously disadvantaged individuals and emerging farmers, he noted, were given land without the necessary financial, technical, and infrastructural support to make it productive.
“Our approach going forward must be holistic. We cannot just give people land and walk away. We need to provide training, funding, access to markets, and mentorship,” he added.
Mashatile’s visit forms part of the government’s broader programme to monitor progress on land reform and rural development, as well as to engage with stakeholders across the agricultural value chain.
