Pieter & Tshepo
THIS AND THAT •••
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Theo Vorster , Rozanne McKenzie and Chris Burgess , as well as Power FM ’ s Mpumelelo Mkabela , who is a co-host and former panellist , shared their impressions of the Nation in Conversation series so far .
THEO VORSTER
“ SINCE the inception of the show four years ago , the discussion has definitely gone deeper and wider and the issues are discussed in more detail and on a wider spread of platforms . The other very important aspect is that the show has brought to light that agriculture is not just an issue for the agri-community , it is a South African issue . The success or failure of agriculture has a direct impact on the South African economy .”
MPUMELELO MKHABELA
“ I think the format of the show is on the right track … I have been a panellist and have been involved in the debates . I have been encouraged by the diversity of voices that has come to the fore , which is encouraging , because the image of the agricultural sector and all its components have always been white dominated . It has therefore been very good to see Nation in Conversation bringing together voices from all representatives , so that now it really is a nation in conversation . I believe government should remain deeply involved with the sector . It is in the government ’ s interest to do so , both from a policy point of view and also just to represent the people who voted them into
Nation in Conversation brings voices together from all representatives – Now it is really a nation in conversation .
power . The government needs to know what the majority of people think and feel about the industry and then should take up the issues with the industry players themselves .”
CHRIS BURGESS
“ I think Nation in Conversation is critically important , because if you look at the current political debate there seems to be a school of thought that the social compact which we closed in ‘ 95 with the advent of democracy , has run its course and is not relevant anymore and that nothing has changed and the poor has gotten poorer and rich has gotten richer and the fruits of freedom have not been enjoyed by the majority . If you look at the broader economy there is a case to be made out for that … but if you look at agriculture , ironically enough , agriculture which in the view of ordinary black South Africans is still an exploitative industry , is actually where the biggest transformation has taken place . If you look at the wool industry , the grain industry , the food industry , it shows real transformation of tens of thousands of people and it does not just last for a year or two . It is transformation that changes people ’ s lives for the better that are given a sustainable livelihood .
I would like to see black farmers on Nation in Conversation , just off the top of my head , the beneficiaries of transformation , like in the wool industry for example … we need the black guys to come through …
I think there is still a lot of goodwill , especially among the guys who are making the decisions in big agri-businesses like Senwes , who have their eye on the big picture .”
ROZANNE MCKENZIE
“ NATION in Conversation is important because we as consumers don ’ t talk and think about agriculture enough . We go into the shops and buy products and we don ’ t think of the worker , we don ’ t think of the farmer , we don ’ t think of the whole process that happens before it arrives in your trolley … it ’ s important to know because then you have a far better insight into what you ’ re actually eating , because you have a better appreciation for the meal you ’ re eating .”
SENWES Scenario • FEB / MAR 2017 3