Coalition talks: Create a favorable environment for agriculture to grow

The latest national election delivered a lot of surprises as well as disappointments. The outcome gives a clear voice to South Africans’ needs.

Various discussions are underway regarding possible coalitions. There is therefore uncertainty but also hope and politicians have an opportunity to honour the interests of South Africans through this process. In the light of these discussions, politicians are called upon to fully realize the challenging realities of South Africa and put ideology on the back burner.

The agricultural sector has an essential role to play in putting South Africa on the winning path. By ensuring that a favourable environment for economic growth is created, the agricultural sector can help the economy. In this respect and with a view to discussions, Free State Agriculture (FSA) wants to appeal to politicians to focus in particular on the following:

“These changes are not the final solution to the country’s problems, but are potentially a step in the right direction.” says Francois Wilken, president of FSA. “Agriculture is the sector that can very quickly make a huge contribution to the relief of unemployment in the countryside, and is unique in this respect. If the policy and government conditions make it possible for the agricultural sector, poor and unemployed people in particular will feel the positive impact of the change relatively soon.”