Mashatile urges farmers to stay, pledges support
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has urged South African farmers not to leave the country, assuring them that the government is ready to work with the agricultural sector to grow the economy and address their challenges.
Mashatile was speaking at the Nampo Harvest Day in Bothaville, Free State, on Thursday.
Hosted annually by Grain SA, Nampo is one of the largest agricultural shows in the Southern Hemisphere, drawing over 80,000 visitors and more than 750 exhibitors from across the agricultural value chain.
His comments come just days after a group of Afrikaners left South Africa for the United States, where they were granted refugee status by US President Donald Trump.
The group claimed they were victims of racial discrimination and "white genocide", claims widely dismissed by President Cyril Ramaphosa and other South African officials.
Earlier this week, Ramaphosa rejected the legitimacy of the group's refugee claims.
"Those who are spreading misinformation to divide South Africa are anti-transformation and wish to return the country to its apartheid past," he said.
Mashatile said the farmers he met at Nampo expressed their commitment to remaining in South Africa.
"The farmers we've met today say they’re committed to staying in South Africa. All they ask is that we work with them to address the challenges they face, starting with rural roads, rural safety, and access to markets, including international ones, as well as finance," he said.
"They’ve told us: 'If you work with us, we have no problem staying. We are committed South Africans. We’re not going anywhere'. We also urge those considering leaving to stay—there’s no need to go. Let’s work together to build this beautiful country."
As chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Agriculture and Land Reform, Mashatile reaffirmed the government's commitment to partnering with farmers to ensure job creation, food security, and economic growth.
"Our message to the farmers is simple: we are with you, and we are your partners in growing South Africa together. Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, it ensures food security, supports emerging farmers, and allows us to export to global markets," he said.
"We’re committed to helping farmers access new technologies, markets, and finance. That’s why the government and the farming community must work together in a focused, strategic way. Today, you’ve seen the President, Minister McPherson, the Minister of Agriculture, and the MECs all here, this is partnership in action."
He acknowledged that access to finance remains a major challenge, but expressed optimism at the presence of the Land Bank and other financial institutions at the event.
"With continued collaboration and support, I see the agricultural sector becoming one of the largest contributors to our GDP."
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