Honourable Speaker,
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has, for a number of years, let the people of our country down.
While we welcome and note the year-on-year positive developments within the agricultural sector in growing and contributing to the GDP, the line function departments and entities that now make up this Department are suffering.
Land reform and the restitution of land to the people of our country has taken far too long to effect change in the lives of millions who were left destitute and disenfranchised.
Honourable Speaker, the matters arising from the Committee Report on this budget are all noted and must be duly implemented in order to ensure that the process of land reform takes place as intended, and that the development of rural towns, villages and communities takes centre stage.
In relation to Section 25 of the Constitution, I would like to remind this House that land reform must take place as was intended many years ago, with reasonable compensation.
In terms of Agriculture, we should be mindful of the devastating effects climate change will have on this sector, and its ability to feed South Africa. We must ensure that enough funds are available for climate-proofing our farmers and for protecting the export market of our agricultural goods.
Honourable Speaker, let me not beat around the bush when it comes to the biggest challenge faced by the current administration of our country, and that is the cancer of corruption within the system. It must be stressed that we will not move forward if this cancer is not treated and completely eradicated.
With the abovementioned taken into consideration, the IFP supports this Budget Vote.
Siyabonga. I thank you.
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