Note to Editors: The following remarks were delivered by RISE Mzansi National Leader, Songezo Zibi MP, during the debate on Budget Vote 29 (Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development).
Honourable Chair,
Committee Chairperson
Ministers and Deputy Ministers
Good morning,
The most important and basic function of any government is to keep its people safe, and to ensure everyone can put food on the table. Sadly, too many South Africans go to bed hungry, and have little or no hope that this will not be the case the next day.
For a country of South Africa’s natural wealth, this should not be the case. I note Honourable Ministers that notwithstanding, the department’s budget has been cut, again – which is a demoralising blow to the small farmers and landowners who work hard every day to make a living off the land.
It is also a blow to the long outstanding obligation to deliver land justice to historically dispossessed South Africans. I am also aware that this budget vote was formulated by the previous administration, so I am going to focus on a frame I believe is important if we are to have social and economic justice as instructed by the constitution.
Three things must be done by the Department in both its current and new form to ensure that South Africans in both rural and urban settings live happy, prosperous and dignified lives:
If we achieve the above the people of South Africa will not go to bed hungry, they will have a place to live, and they will be able to produce income by selling agricultural products.
Ndiyabulela!