AgriBEE, a vehicle towards a mainstreamed agricultural economy
22 Jul 2004
The National Emergent Red meat Producers’ Organisation (NERPO) welcomes the AgriBEE Charter. This AgriBEE Framework document is a path well journeyed and another government tool to reverse the wrongs of the past. It is a testimony to a quest for government to expedite reversal and condemnation of injustices of the past, creating an enabling environment that advances an equitable access and participation in a universally competitive and profitable agricultural sector. It is a commendable move that is opposed to a doggy and racial inclined participation, ownership, control and management of the agricultural sector. A legacy that has not done South Africa any favor but has threatened the country’s strategic objective for a long term social, economic and political stability. Said Mr. Aggrey Mahanjana, the Group Managing Director of NERPO Group.
We therefore welcome and congratulate government particularly the State President for reaffirming this fundamental economic shift aimed at effective implementation of this framework that mainstream Black South Africans in all levels of agricultural activity and enterprises along the entire agricultural value chain. The AgriBEE Framework unlocks racial prejudice on land and enterprise ownership, control, skilled occupations and management of existing and new agricultural enterprises. Amongst other things, it further establish an enabling environment for a full entrepreneurial skills and potential in the sector of Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDIs), reaffirms black women and youth emancipation to own and manage existing and new agricultural enterprises.
It pays a proper account the fact that agriculture is a primary economic activity particularly in rural communities, with an estimated six million people directly dependent on it for livelihood, by expanding access to agricultural economic activities, land, agricultural infrastructure, ownership and skills for rural and local communities. Through a properly designed implementation plan the framework stand to benefit a deteriorating employment rates that had a massive decline of over 7.6 % between 1994 and 1999 as revealed by NDA survey report. It is also a positive gesture to contribution of the agriculture on Gross Domestic Product. In 2000 the sector only contributed 3.2 % of the country’s GDP.
It is praiseworthy to see that the framework calls for a need to link agricultural production, and processing activities with the input sectors, the manufacturing industry, the consumer interests and environmental concerns.
The strategic imperatives of the framework have amongst others put emphasis on;
a) Expanded numbers of ownership, control, management of enterprises and productive assets by Black people;
b) Properly facilitated ownership and management of enterprises and productive assets by black communities, workers, cooperatives and other collective enterprises;
c) Human resource, skills development and institutional transformation;
d) Equitable representation in all agricultural professions, occupational categories and levels in the workforce;
e) Closely monitored preferential procurement;
f) Investment in enterprises that are owned or managed by Black people.
Government has however acknowledged with concern that lack of optimum and effective participation by the majority of South Africans in the mainstream economy could impede on national security and future stability of the country. The sector’s historical evolution gives it a mandate to play a pivotal role in the overall socio-economic transformation of the South African society and continues to make a mark in the South African economy as contributor to food security, jobs, rural development and exports.
In addressing challenges relating to expeditious global environment, the framework seeks to compel the sector in prioritising its programmes in achieving innovation, competitiveness, risks management, knowledge and information management, all of which calls the sector to rigorously fill gaps and expanding the existing human capital pool through investing in people, employment equity, skills development and institutional transformation.
It is also encouraging to see that monitoring and evaluation plan safely addressed steady and less transparent procurement systems that are far fetched from growing HDIs and SMMEs. The framework can only be best described as having laid a legislative, constitutional and political foundation and is therefore calling for a collective approach from all role players and or stakeholders to make their mark in drawing a properly designed implementation plan that will bare-fruit to all targeted groups.
In this regard it important that all key-role players which include the government, the industry and the beneficiaries of BEE must be seriously committed in this matter and must ensure that every party is playing its role very well.
For more information Contact:
Mr Aggrey Mahanjana
Group Managing Director: NERPO at
012 361 9127 or 082 556 7297 or aggreym@nerpo.org.za
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