Lesotho’s food insecurity crisis dangerous for SA

“We note that Lesotho, like our other neighbouring countries, is in the middle of a food security crisis and that South Africa will feel the consequences”, says Francois Wilken, President of Free State Agriculture (FSA).

Wilken’s reaction follows the statement of Lesotho’s Prime Minister who this week declared a national disaster as a result of the drought caused by El Niño. It was reported that nearly 700 000 Lesotho citizens require humanitarian aid and that R2.1 billion is needed to make this humanitarian aid available. “We recognize the situation and really sympathize with the people who are starving, we support a market-oriented system of humanitarian action to buy food to help the people in an orderly way”, says Wilken.

Free State Agriculture also expressed its concern that the famine in Lesotho could lead to increased crime on South African borders. “Twenty hectares of dry beans were stolen from us before we could pick them,” says one farmer. “We have guards who watch over our crops 24/7.” The need for extra security will put a heavy burden on South African farmers, for which FSA is asking for extra support.

In a recent survey by FSA’s Safety Risk Analyst, Dr Jane Buys, about Lesotho cattle grazing on South African communal land and being looked after by Lesotho citizens, who are also quite possibly in the country illegally, it was pointed out that the problem not only takes place along the Lesotho border but on most common lands in the Free State, especially around the mines. Furthermore, there are also Lesotho citizens who are employed illegally. “These activities contribute to a way of making money to buy food to send home, but have a major impact on especially small and emerging South African farmers who try to start farming on the communal lands, as well as on the overall criminality in the countryside, thus hindering our own food security.” says Buys.

Free State Agriculture is therefore making a serious appeal to the government to protect South African farmers, large and small, and especially those along the Lesotho border, from theft so that they can optimally and productively produce food to supply the market. “If farmers cannot farm productively and have to invest excess time and funds in their own security systems, it is no longer worth it – physically, emotionally or financially – to farm. This will affect the whole of Southern Africa and lead to further food shortages.