While the Proteas and Australian cricket teams have their own battle on the cricket pitch, the South African and Australian governments are not on good terms, after a senior Australian minister vowed to press on with a plan to bring and I quote, “white South African farmers to Australia”.
A daily newspaper quoted the minister as saying, “It concerns me that people are being persecuted at the moment – that’s the reality – the number of people dying or being savagely attacked in South Africa is a reality. We’re looking at ways we can help people to migrate to Australia if they find themselves in that situation.”
It’s also said that up to half a million white South Africans have left the country in the past 30 years, with Australia being their top choice of destination.
The Citizen, the Herald’s mother newspaper has meanwhile reported that the public can give their input on land reform starting in April.
The article starts by saying, “Advertisements will be published for oral and written submissions from the public, who will have a month to respond. Despite being heavily contested by minority interest groups and political parties, the process to review section 25 of the Constitution to allow expropriation of land without compensation has taken another leap forward.”
They also reported that Julius Malema, EFF leader, has intensified his land war cry saying “… he took a stab at the Australian government wanting to fast-track visas for white farmers and should land owners heed Australia’s call, they should go”.
Malema added and I quote as reported by The Citizen, “If they want to go to Australia, they must go. They must leave the keys to the tractors and the houses. We want to plough the land and move from shacks into houses, because they never came with houses and land, so they must leave in peace.”
My questions to the public are:
1. What is your opinion on the whole land expropriation without compensation issue?
2. Are there any farmers in Randfontein taking up the offer from Australia?
Let us know via email at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za
