AgriSA, representing South Africa's agricultural sector, acknowledges President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address, which underscored the pivotal role agriculture plays in the nation's economy. As the backbone of South Africa's economic landscape, agriculture serves as a catalyst for growth, job creation, and food security.

Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi announced the new minimum wage in the Government Gazette on Friday. The national minimum wage, including for farmworkers, has been hiked to R27,58 per hour from 1 March 2024. That is an increase of 8,5% compared to the minimum wage of R25,42 per hour until the end of February. The increase is 2,5 percentage points higher than the average inflation rate for 2023, which was 6%.

Senwes announced today, in the wake of the recent devastating fires in the North West, Free State, and Northern Cape, that it is donating half a million rand to Agri SA's Disaster Relief Fund to provide relief to those in need.

Agri SA is deeply concerned about the devastating impact of ongoing fire outbreaks in the Free State, North West and Northern Cape provinces. The fires have affected an area of over 400 000 hectares, resulting in the loss of grazing and various livestock, such as sheep, cattle and wildlife that either burnt to death or had to be euthanised.

Agri SA welcomes today’s launch of the Agro Energy Fund by the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza. The fund was first announced by Minister Didiza in the budget vote delivered in May 2023.

Agri SA will be making a submission to Parliament which demonstrates the negative impact of the national minimum wage on the growth and sustainability of the agricultural sector. Unless the increases of the minimum wage in the agricultural sector are aligned with inflation, there is a real risk of the agricultural sector contracting with devastating effects for employment in the sector.

The board of the Agri Securitas trust fund is pleased to announce the disbursement of R1,9 million to 29 farmer associations and provincial affiliations to help fund rural safety projects around the country.

“The Trust Fund joins forces with farming communities through local farmer associations to make them safer. The safety of rural communities is one of the central pillars in creating prosperous rural economies. Safer communities are the only way to maintain sustainable food systems, to advance food security and build a prosperous South Africa” said Cobus van Zyl, Chair, Agri Securitas trust fund.

Agri SA has submitted its comments on the proposed Water Use Licence Applications, Amendment and Appeals Regulations that were published on 19 May 2023. The draft regulations proposed that certain enterprises applying for water use licences to take or store water would in the future have to allocate shares of up to 75% to black South Africans in order for such water use licences to be granted. Given the legal and food security implications of the regulations, it is essential that they are reviewed and substantially amended.

The board of Directors at Agri SA has taken the decision to provide financial support to the appellant in the Moladora Trust v Mereki and Others Case (“Moladora case”). The case is expected to set an important precedent with far-reaching implications for private property rights in South Africa and the scope of the Extension of Security of Tenure Act 62 of 1997 (“ESTA”).

Agri SA is deeply concerned about the violent criminal attacks on trucks in South Africa, particularly those in KwaZulu- Natal and Mpumalanga in recent days. In addition to the threat these activities pose to lives, they are a direct assault on the South African economy and a significant risk to food security.

Today, the leadership of Agri SA held a constructive meeting with officials from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to discuss the recently published Regulations regarding the Procedural Requirements for Water Use License Applications and Amendments.

Agri SA is pleased to announce the appointment of Johann Kotzé as their new Chief Executive Officer.

Jaco Minnaar, Agri SA President, congratulated Kotzé and expressed his excitement over the new phase ahead.

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) recently published draft revised Regulations regarding the Procedural Requirements for Water Use Licence Applications and Amendments for comment. According to the draft regulations, certain enterprises applying for water use licenses to take or store water, will in the future have to allocate shares of up to 75% to black South Africans in order for such water use licenses to be granted. The consequences for food security and the sustainability of the agricultural sector should these regulations be passed in the current form cannot be understated – they would have a devastating impact on the sector and its ability to provide the country with a secure supply of food. This is because focusing solely on ownership, to the exclusion of all other relevant factors, will mean the loss (or partial loss) of water resources for numerous currently viable commercial farming enterprises.

As Minister Bheki Cele delivers his budget vote on policing today, it is imperative that the Department of Police’s budget includes meaningful resource allocation towards the implementation of the Rural Safety Strategy.

Agri SA welcomes the release of the report by the Task Team on Animal Biosecurity. The task team was appointed to deal with the issue of animal biosecurity and the role of the state in this regard. We thank the Minister for the release of the report. Completed already in May 2022, it has finally been made public after persistent lobbying by the sector.

As Minister for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza, delivers her department’s (DALRRD) budget vote address today, 9 May 2023, Agri SA hopes to hear key announcements on the implementation of concrete action to address the challenges facing the sector and the growing threats to the country’s food security.

Agri SA and the South African Association for Water Users Associations (SAAFWUA) welcome the decision of the Constitutional Court to dismiss the appeal by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in a crucial victory for the holders of water rights in South Africa. The Court conclusively ruled that water rights holders are entitled to transfer such rights in accordance with the provisions of the National Water Act. It also confirmed that receiving financial compensation for transferred water use entitlements is neither prohibited nor unlawful in South Africa.

Agri SA has submitted its comments on the Expropriation Bill to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). The submission clearly signifies the potentially catastrophic impact of the bill on the agricultural sector and the country’s food security if passed by Parliament.

SA is distressed by the decrease in agricultural sector employment as reported by Stats SA in the Quarterly Labour Force Survey for Q4: 2022. The report, released on 28 February 2023, shows a decrease of 12,000 jobs in the agricultural sector.

Agri SA welcomes the budget delivered by Minister Enoch Godongwana on 22 February 2023. While government could have gone further in addressing the challenges facing the agricultural sector, the budget reflected a sober analysis of the environment in which we operate. It demonstrated an understanding of the particular difficulties faced by the sector with significant implications for food security.