What about our farmers?

Madam – In the Advertiser of January 17, there is an article “Going all out to save the Rhino.”

It goes on to tell us what Wayne Baxter is doing in this regard.

It is understood that in the past year 1004 Rhinos have been killed for their horns which are used, so the story goes, to give men of some Eastern cultures more “vuma” in bed, treatment of cancer etc, and as a “status symbol”, even though the horns are made up of the same substances one finds in human nails, and, I suppose, other nails as well.

It is sad that these unscientific beliefs lead to this carnage, and, if not stopped, my great-great grand children will perhaps, one day, only be able to see images of these creatures in a zoo.

There is another concern I have, and that is this:

Rhinos do not put food on our tables, except for those who are involved in running Game Parks, and are involved in the Tourism Industry, and then one has to remember that in those instances, the food on the table is produced by others who supply it to, yet others, who, along a supply chain, eventually puts it on our tables.

I am talking about our farmers. Has anyone sat down and given it a thought: No farmers, NO FOOD.

Since this “Government” came to power, approximately the same number of farmers have been murdered in approximately 3000 farm attacks, resulting in 1004 deaths. This calculates to 150 attacks a year, or an average of nearly one attack every 3 days, resulting in 50 deaths a year, or one death every 7.3 days, roughly one death a week!

These farm attacks do not even make the news these days. It is just “another murder, like any other murder” says the powers that be.

In Madiba’s day, he raised concerns about this, and said it must stop. Then came Mr. Mbeki, and he “demolished” the structures, which assured the safety of all in the rural areas, the Commandos. The police would take over this task. HA HA HA!!!

Farmers have to see to their own safety, and that of their employees. Just during this week it was reported that in one province in one area alone, there were 10 attacks, in some, assault rifles were used, which are only issued to Police and the Army. Where do these come from?

Farmers in that area held an emergency meeting to discuss methods on how they were going to protect themselves. No report was found in any news bulletin. I do not read the papers, so I do not know if this was reported. I, however, do not think so.

There is only one Radio Station, which reports on things like these, and have interviews with affected persons. This is where I get my information.

It might be argued, “Government is taking steps to ensure food security with land reform.” This is taking land from those who have, and know how to do things, and handing it to those who do not have. Mostly they do not know. There the Government admits that about 90 per cent of these farms become “unproductive”, just like the farm I had, and which they gave to Land Claimants 15 years ago.

That farm was productive, producing vegetables and maize then. Since then not a single veggie or cob of maize has landed on any table on this burg or anywhere else.

Are we going to protest NOW while we are still having food on our tables and ask government to take drastic steps to stop these attacks and killings of those we are dependent on for food on our tables, or are we going to wait until there is nothing to buy in shops – like in Zimbabwe – and kill one another for what is available?

Lourens