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Amendments to the Extension of Security of Tenure Act enable the formation of a land rights management board and land rights management committees to address tenure security, evictions, land rights disputes and land acquisition for settlement. Photo: File

No dignity in displacement: Tenure insecurity in the Winelands

The conditions of people who work and live in South Africa’s farms today have remained the same as under apartheid. Will the new amendments in legislation bring about change?

Bill Gates with farmer Mary in Kenya. (Photo by Gates Notes)

Bill Gates plays God in Africa’s agriculture and gets it wrong

Agra’s drive for a ‘green revolution’ has reduced crop diversity, created a dependency on commercial seeds and fertiliser and increased vulnerability to drought

The current shortage of avocados should not be a primary concern for consumers but rather a temporary inconvenience.  (Mariana Greif Etchebehere/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

South Africa’s avocado export agreement with Japan could boost economy

Recent export agreements with Asian countries are a balm for South Africa, after Botswana and Namibia’s ban on the country’s citrus.

Labour tenant claimant Mndeni Sikhakhane with his two granddaughters. Sikhakhane was one of the claimants in the Hilton College. Photo: Max Bastard

Signs of hope for apartheid labour tenants after long wait for land rights

Less than half the claims by former labour tenants, who were given access to land during apartheid in exchange for working on farms, have been finalised

Seeds of change: When Erasmus Sefoloshe started farming in Groblersdal, there was a politicised dispute over access to a canal, but his white neighbour has since loaned him money to settle his water bill. (Lucas Ledwaba)

Growing culture: Brothers on the land, together under the sun

Some black and white farmers are working together in the name of progress in a sector that has long been associated with racial exclusion and the abuse of black people

The eviction order served to the Gumede family after they were evicted.

Shadow of eviction looms over farm dwellers

In part two of a series on the lives of farm dwellers, Tshepiso Mabula ka Ndongeni finds a community haunted by the scourge of eviction

Red sea: The EFF has struggled to get the positive sentiment it gets at events, rallies and on social media to translate into actual voters at the polls. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

EFF eyes municipalities ahead of 2021 local government elections

EFF leader Julius Malema says the party is preparing to govern in many municipalities from next year. It is also launching a programme to defend the rights of farm workers

Increased opportunities: The government will issue 700 000 hectares of underutilised or vacant state land to lease to emerging farmers. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Ramaphosa reiterates support for emerging farmers

On the back of the announcement that the government would allocate more land to be leased by emerging farmers, President Cyril Ramaphosa says that beneficiaries will also be…

Shut out: Some small-scale farmers, such as Johannes Ntuli, have not received a cent from government despite policies that are meant to uplift them and their agribusinesses. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Money instead of land

The majority of previously dispossessed people choose money over property, while land reform has become the preserve of the affluent. Is there another way to think about land…

Dreamless living: The farm where Alfred Witbooi has worked and lived for more than a decade offers broken, roofless toilets and dire living quarters. He wants a better home for his young children, with drinking water in the taps. (David Harrison/M&G)

Farmworkers live in filth in Franschhoek

Rights groups say government needs to intervene and expropriate land in cases where rich farmers don’t maintain labourer accommodation

(Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters)

Rain brings tentative hope of a normal farming season

After weeks of oppressive heat and decreasing dam levels, recent rains renew hope for farmers

S20 warns that climate change is endangering human health, food systems and ecosystems worldwide

The farm workers who produce our food are the most vulnerable to hunger

When drafting policies to address this situation, it is important that the voices of the workers themselves are taken into account

S20 warns that climate change is endangering human health, food systems and ecosystems worldwide

Court judgment to restore farm dwellers’ dignity

A Pietermaritzburg high court ruling has found that municipalities were in breach of the Constitution in not providing farm occupiers with services

Leaving home means leaving your friends

Leaving home means leaving family – and could have health implications

Leaving home means leaving your friends, family and social support. But it’s worse than that.

Waving goodbye?

Land Bill is a good, if flawed, start

It tackles communal land rights, giving ownership to the people who reside on it

Farm workers union Csaawu should be saved

Union Csaawu is facing bankruptcy for supporting farm workers dismissed after historic strikes in 2012/ 13. This is why the union must be saved.

Strictly professional: Pearl Bhengu

New farm expropriation proposal could ‘threaten food security’

A proposal for the state to expropriate and pay for 50% of farms into a trust for farm development has been welcomed by Cosatu but opposed by AgriSA.

SA farmers eye Mozambique

South African farmers are eager to invest in Mozambique and provide affordable food, farmers said at an agricultural conference.