Andre Du Plessis I would have loved to attend this event and address him personally. I have so many questions for him. Yes, and as Pierre says, he is a player in the political landscape, and should be listened to, for he has the support of the grassroots. This is a democracy, and everyone is allowed to express their views, and although he has certainly not arrived on the scene in lily-white attire, I salute his effort to come and speak at this event. This 10-minute clip is an indication that he is a negotiator, and although he did not divert from his EEF agenda, he nevertheless used reason and common sense to bring his point across. Yes, and although he used simple illustrations to describe how to assist, and how that could potentially benefit the farmer, one should not discriminate against that naive request. For sometimes we talk leaves and branches, and miss the trunk. The bottom line is ..... farmers have benefitted from generations of labour .... loyal labour, and in this 10-min clip he has given one option to follow. In my opinion, probably not an unreasonable option as well, for what he suggested is that 'recognition' should be respected.
I an not a farmer, nor a politician, but as a photographer I do knock on doors in the townships and in the farmlands. I have been doing that for 6 years now, and have visited tens of communities and more tens of farm worker's houses. Without exception I have experienced only loyalty to the farm owners. To their 'bosses' as Julius M used in this select audience. When he refers to generations, he is not wrong, for often three generations of one family are all present in their house, and all three generations have, and are still working for the same farm owner or sons / daughter. Many times, like on my recent trip into the Tzitzikame, have I thought : 'Gosh - you are so young, so well spoken, so pleasant and seemingly so intelligent - why have you not gone to school just over there in Knysna, at least to obtain some semblance of an education?' Yet, that opportunity never dawned upon the family, for there are no money, no vision to look outside of the immediate valley, and all hands need to work to get by. Is someone to be blamed for this? Probably yes, and most probably no, for what has been the system, seems to still be the system. Both in the minds of this young gent's elders, who could have given more objective guidance, and also in the minds of those that own the farm and govern the workers. However, one cannot appropriate blame, for this is the convention, and especially in the more rural areas - things change slowly. But ....... it is now more that 20 years later, and it seems appropriate and just that convention should accommodate thoughts that encompass a bigger and more inclusive vision.
Like him or dislike his views - it is only fair that we listen and think what is best for all. Because only if 'all' becomes the motive, things will change for the better. And .... the sacrifices that seem initially might seem painful might actually not seem so acute, nor chronic.
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