Lowveld farmers say enough is enough on #BlackMonday
"We are calling on God. We don't want violence, we are calling on all community members regardless of their race to join a group that works to protect our communities,"says one of White River's gathering's organisers, PF Massyn
WHITE RIVER – For Conrad Pretorius (74), yesterday’s Black Monday gathering at White River Primary School’s sports field was an emotional experience.
A retired farmer, Pretorius joined hundreds of farmers and civilians in the Lowveld, and thousands across South Africa, in wearing black, gathering to pray for farmers and showing their solidarity against farm murders and attacks.
The concerned citizens of all ages, races and occupations slowly drove in convoy in cars, on bikes and on tractors from Rocky Drift to the sports field, causing a traffic jam for the early-morning commute along the R40. There were no complaints, however, as the country’s citizens called for a unified solution to the problem.
At the White River gathering, Pretorius recounted his deliverance from the hands of intruders on his bee farm in Low’s Creek in 2003. He called it an act of God’s grace. As he walked into his house he heard his distressed daughter tell someone: “You see, I told you I had guests coming.”
It was then that he realised that something was wrong. Scared for his life and that of his children, he put on a brave face and told the intruders that 10 more farmers were on their way.
“I told them that if they want to kill us, they must do it before farmers get here or else they are going to kill you.” The intruders proceeded to attack Pretorius and his family, tied them up, stole some guns and fled.
They were later tried and sentenced to 22 years in prison.
“I am here today in honour of all the people who risk their lives to put food on our tables,” he said. Pretorius was also there to pledge his faith in God, that things will get better.
The White River gathering was organised on Thursday in response to the viral video on social media calling for a Black Monday after the murder of yet another farmer, Joubert Conradie, on his farm in Klapmuts near Stellenbosch last Tuesday. PF Massyn created a Whatsapp group calling on his friends Dian Pretorius, Jaco Bekker and others to assist in finding a solution to the violence.
“Before we knew it, the group took flame and we had over 500 people interested,” he said. The group had initially wanted to protest, but could not get the necessary permit to do so. Wanting to work within the confines of the law and keep the protest as peaceful as possible, they opted to gather at the school instead and call on all in attendance to pray for the country.
“We are calling on God. We don’t want violence, we are calling on all community members regardless of their race to join a group that works to protect our communities,” said Massyn.
Past PW Janse van Rensburg, who led the prayer, called all those attending not to act on emotion but to keep praying for guidance. Other supporters echoed the message.
“If we do not have farmers, then we won’t have businesses,” said Johan Sutherland (42), from Lowveld Trekkers. “If we do not have farmers then we do not have people to produce food, because they will be too scared for their lives and families.” He suggested that government to do more by increasing police visibility.
“This is hurting the country,” said Neil Olivier. “It doesn’t matter if you are black or white. I don’t know if it helps talking to the government anymore, but harsher punishment must be put in place.”
