Cape Town – Farmers have expressed optimism over the appointment of DA leader John Steenhuisen as South Africa’s new Minister of Agriculture.
According to The Citizen, Theo de Jager, CEO of the Southern African Agri Initiative, welcomed the move, hoping it would bring greater efficiency and end the department’s past focus on race and party loyalty.
“His appointment raises hopes that the narrow ideological emphasis on race and party-political loyalty that has characterised the agriculture department’s appointments, policy and output for decades will now be a thing of the past,” the report quoted De Jager as saying.
Meanwhile, TLU SA general manager Bennie van Zyl looked forward to collaborating with Steenhuisen, emphasising the separation of land and agriculture portfolios.
Speaking during an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Van Zyl expressed surprise at the appointment of Steenhuisen to lead the agriculture sector.
Agricultural organisation TLU has called on the new cabinet ministers to work together to ensure food security in SA. The organisation has also welcomed the appointment of DA’s John Steenhuisen as Agriculture minister. Naledi Moleo speaks to TLU General manager Bennie Van Zyl.… pic.twitter.com/2UAiIjVFe2
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 1, 2024
“For us, that was quite a surprise. We were not sure who it was going to be, way back when the minister was not yet appointed. We actually asked the DA to fight for that position because we need a minister who does understand economics.
“Agriculture is an economic process, it goes about profitability and sustainability. That is one basis for stabilisation in your country – food on the table. Therefore, we asked for that and we are quite happy that the outcome is of such a nature that we have a person who does understand the economics.
“You cannot play wrong with the principles of market forces and sustainability. That is crucial for food security in your country. So we are quite happy,” he said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
