The allocation of water licenses for agriculture based on race will have far-reaching implications for the sustainability of agriculture, and it is now time for all South Africans to express their concerns about this officially.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) published proposed draft regulations for allocating water licenses in the Government Gazette on 19 May.
One of the requirements is that licenses for agriculture and forestry should be granted to entities with between 25% and 75% black ownership.
“The government’s efforts to classify everything and everyone based on racial numbers have always been shortsighted. But to say that colour is more important than food is truly excessive,” says Bennie van Zyl, CEO of TLU SA.
“Commercial farmers – which includes TLU SA members – provide food for approximately 70% of South Africa. If the regulations are implemented, it will mean that many of these farmers will not qualify for water licenses. Without water, there is no agriculture; without agriculture, there is no food. It’s as simple as that.”
TLU SA made proposals to the government years ago and repeatedly after that on how to provide emerging farmers with sufficient support to engage in sustainable farming. However, the proposals were rejected. If the recommendations had been implemented, there would have been no need to enact legislation now to enforce racial quotas.
TLU SA is in the process of compiling comments against the proposed changes to water legislation. It must be submitted by 18 July 2023.
Meanwhile, using this link, TLU SA has made it easier for any South African to submit their own comments on the proposed regulations.
See the regulations here
Read the original article in Afrikaans on TLU SA
