The Citizen reports that commercial farmers in the Western Cape have lost about R20 billion because of the drought in the province, according to Agri SA.  

Janse Rabie, the farming business collective’s head of natural resources, said there was concern with job losses as productivity was set to decrease.  “We are highly concerned about the loss of seasonal employment opportunities and the socioeconomic plight of farmworkers who are impacted by the drought … we are doing all we can to assist,” he said.  Food and Allied Workers Union (Fawu) general secretary Katishi Masemola, whose union represents 4,000 workers in the province, said even permanent employees were uncertain about their future.  He called on government to work collaboratively to deal with the issue and stop scoring political points.  “This is a national emergency and we need all stakeholders.”  Masemola said in addition to unionised workers in the province there were 16,000 seasonal employees on the wine farms.

• Read this report by Simnikiwe Hlatshaneni in full at The Citizen

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