Mashatile urges South African farmers to stay
Deputy
President Paul Mashatile has urged South African farmers not to leave the
country.
He
said on Thursday that the government is ready to work with them to grow the
economy.
Mashatile spoke at the Nampo Harvest Day in Bothaville in the Free State l, one of the largest agricultural shows in the Southern Hemisphere.
Hosted by Grain SA, the event draws more than 80,000 visitors and over 750 exhibitors each year.
His remarks come after a group of around 50 Afrikaners left for the US this week after being granted refugee status there.
Mashatile has assured farmers that government values their contribution to job creation and food security.
"We all know that agriculture is a backbone of our economy. It ensures food security; we ensure that we develop emerging farmers.
“We export some of our products to other countries, and we are making sure that these farmers do have access to new technologies as well.
“They must have access to markets, access to finance, and therefore we want to make sure that the government and the farming communities should work together."
Speaking at a media briefing earlier on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the claims that Afrikaners are being discriminated against are unfounded.
"The South African Police Service statistics on farm-related crimes do not support allegations of violent crime or genocide targeted at farmers generally or any racial grouping.
“Cabinet refused the narrative by the government of the United States of America and remains open to constructive engagement to share a better and common understanding over these matters."
President Cyril Ramaphosa will embark on a four-day working visit to the US next week to engage with President Donald Trump.
Mashatile spoke at the Nampo Harvest Day in Bothaville in the Free State l, one of the largest agricultural shows in the Southern Hemisphere.
Hosted by Grain SA, the event draws more than 80,000 visitors and over 750 exhibitors each year.
His remarks come after a group of around 50 Afrikaners left for the US this week after being granted refugee status there.
Mashatile has assured farmers that government values their contribution to job creation and food security.
"We all know that agriculture is a backbone of our economy. It ensures food security; we ensure that we develop emerging farmers.
“We export some of our products to other countries, and we are making sure that these farmers do have access to new technologies as well.
“They must have access to markets, access to finance, and therefore we want to make sure that the government and the farming communities should work together."
Speaking at a media briefing earlier on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the claims that Afrikaners are being discriminated against are unfounded.
"The South African Police Service statistics on farm-related crimes do not support allegations of violent crime or genocide targeted at farmers generally or any racial grouping.
“Cabinet refused the narrative by the government of the United States of America and remains open to constructive engagement to share a better and common understanding over these matters."
President Cyril Ramaphosa will embark on a four-day working visit to the US next week to engage with President Donald Trump.
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