Minister Nyhontso Calls For Inclusive Growth And Mindset Shift In Agriculture
The Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mzwanele Nyhontso, has called for a mindset shift in South Africa’s agricultural sector, urging farmers, government and private partners to embrace inclusivity, dismantle racial stereotypes and work together as equals to drive growth.
By Lebogang Mashala, editor at African Farming
Speaking at the Partners in Agri Land Solutions (PALS) annual general meeting recently in Cape Town, Nyhontso stressed that inclusivity must be the foundation for growth, insisting that agricultural partnerships should be built on equality rather than dominance.
“With an inclusive approach, we cooperate on the basis of equals in society – not one dominant possessor of all knowledge and the other as subservient, whose knowledge and experience is undervalued and disrespected,” he said.
Farming Is Not Defined By Race
Nyhontso dismissed the longstanding notion that “only white people can farm”, emphasising that farming is a profession defined by training, support and passion, not race. He said he grew up in rural areas where farming was an everyday activity, and it was only in his ministerial role that he encountered the stereotype that Africans cannot farm.
The Minister highlighted the frustrations of many African farmers who, despite benefiting from land reform programmes, were often left without post-settlement support.
“A box was ticked, and the beneficiaries were left to fend for themselves,” he said, noting that this neglect contributed to harmful stereotypes when new farmers struggled compared with their neighbours who had farmed the same land for generations.
“No one is born a successful farmer. No imaginary social construct such as race makes you a successful farmer,” he added.
No Place For Divisive Terminology
He commended organisations such as PALS for providing mentorship and ongoing support, but challenged the sector to abandon divisive terminology such as “white farmers” and “black farmers” or “commercial” versus “emerging” farmers. “A changed mindset will start talking about farmers – period,” he said.
Nyhontso further urged the sector to openly confront challenges such as skewed water rights, questionable equity schemes that left farmworkers disadvantaged and widespread farm evictions that often fuel racial tensions. He reminded stakeholders that the Extension of Security of Tenure Act (ESTA) protects the rights of farm dwellers, many of whom remain unaware of their legal protections.
“Farm owners also do not know what their rights are, and these challenges spill over into broader communities as race-based tensions that threaten the future of farming,” Nyhontso said.
He praised PALS for initiatives that foster cooperation and skills transfer, but stressed that perceptions of racial bias, particularly around farm evictions, must be addressed head-on.
“If social, political and cultural barriers are removed, the process of skills transfer, meaningful partnerships, growth and prosperity for all will characterise our farming practices and society in a positive and progressive way,” the Minister concluded.
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