In view of the problems affecting the farming community it was decided to have a meeting to resolve the matter in an amicable way and to investigate ways and means for a possible longer term solution. The initial meeting took place on 13 June 2006 at Elsenburg and was attended by amongst others, representatives from the Jonkershoek Crisis Committee, COSATU, Agri Western Cape, Mountain to Ocean (Pty) Ltd, Stellenbosch Municipality, Stellenbosch Landbou Genootskap, Women on Farms and the Departments of Agriculture and Land Affairs and the Office of the Premier.
This process of dialogue and constructive engagement in agricultural communities may very well be the first of its kind and may serve as a blueprint for other similar areas in the Province and South Africa.
The following key principles will form the basis of the planned discussions over the next three to six (3-6) months:
- A collective commitment to constructive engagement;
- An agreement that the ESTA is inadequate and needs to be reviewed;
- A moratorium on all evictions in this area, pending the conclusion of negotiations aimed at 3 -6 months;
- The setting up of Agri-villages;
- The centrality of para-statal and private land in the engagement of transformation;
- All levels of governance to be included in this process - i.e. Local/Municipal, Provincial and National government;
- An end to severing basic services to farm occupants;
- Conducting an audit to provide common platforms of information;
- Rooting out those bad apples violating human rights.
Alie van Jaarsveld
Spokesperson
Ministry of Agriculture: Western Cape
Tel: 021 483 4930
Fax: 021 483 3890
Email: avjaarsv@pgwc.gov.za
