Many land reform projects, aimed at rectifying apartheid racial injustices, have failed due to lack of resources.
The multi million rand Bethlehem apple farm project in the eastern Free State is just one example. The project which was co-funded by IDC attracted 106 beneficiaries who worked from 1998 until its hardship days in 2016.
In its glory days, the project exported apples abroad. Now it’s plagued with inactivity. The beneficiaries say they want the land to be given to the so they can have a chance to make it profitable again.
A multi-million rand orchard farm remains in a forlorn condition at Bethlehem. The Bethlehem Farmers Trust used to produce a variety of apples destined to local and international markets. The farm is now a shadow of itself with former workers idling at home.
A 110 hectares of land remain unused in Bethlehem in the eastern Free State. With the current debate on land expropriation without compensation this is another classic example of government failed land reform project.
Established in 1998 by the government, the project got off to a good start as the farm exported its produce to European countries and the Far East.
Five years after its establishment the farm won the exporter of the year in 2003 of the Pink Lady Apple competing with countries like Chile. Among some of the apples that used to be produced at the farm include royal gala, orega spur, early red one, brega burn, granny smith and pink lady.
A former farm worker, Thekong Mokoena says the project was co-funded by IDC and attracted 106 beneficiaries who worked from 1998 until its hardship days in 2016.
“We have been trained for a period of three years of which we were shown how to manipulate an whatever on the trees an then we came to production and then so I feel that. That knowledge is being jeopardized. We could be transferring the skills to the young people by showing them how to work on trees and other things; and even government itself could use us. Maybe take 50 people train them to become the apple producers or whatever in agriculture because there is a lot of knowledge.”
One of the farm beneficiary is Zika Shembe, a father of four, who also worked at the farm during its formative years. He says government must assist them to use the farm.
“I think I want to see the farm coming back to us owning this farm like we were promised in the beginning that thing farm belong to us an that is all that I’ll be happy if it can happen. We have worked hard for almost 20 years working hard showing that we are interested in owning this farm. Like this as they say, the land belong to South Africans.”
Meanwhile Moses Teko says without working at the farm life has become difficult for him and his family.
“Now I’m suffering my family is suffering even my credits are not working I always get calls from creditors that I must pay an that they can come. I wish the government must help us.”
The Free State department of agriculture says it has no direct response on the issue. But they assist with business plans and funds to emerging farmers. They also have many successful projects where many beneficiaries are involved. – Ishmael.Modiba and Aphumelele Mdlalane
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