Don't be afraid - engage with government
Agriculture minister Senzeni Zokwana tells Denene Erasmus that farmers need not fear radical land reform policy changes because the government will never force them to abandon their farms...
What have you learned about farmers and the farming sector during your first nine months as agriculture minister?
I've found that our farmers are not always easy to deal with, but it's possible to find common ground when you allow debate. I'm sure that when I came on board they had their own views of what I would do in this role, but I refuse to judge anybody on the basis of what I read in newspapers. We have to engage and build understanding and trust and I'm happy to say that most of the farming unions are willing to work with us [government] if we are prepared to listen to their concerns and engage with them in an honest way...
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