News24 reports that the National Assembly adopted a motion on Tuesday that recognises the role of farm workers, farm dwellers and farmers in the agricultural sector, but also that the sector was faced by many challenges.  

The substance of the motion as adopted was proposed by the ANC.  Originally, it was a motion proposed by the EFF, which was debated last week in a heated mini-plenary of the National Assembly.  The EFF's motion was condemned as divisive, and ill-advised as there were already portfolio committees dealing with the matters concerned.  ANC MP Judith Tshabalala’s motion acknowledged the "policy and legislative progress" made by the government to improve relations between farm workers, farm dwellers and farmers, but noted that despite this progress, challenges remained.  She said despite the progress made since 1994, farmers, farm workers and farm dwellers were faced by persistent crime, violence, human rights violations and inadequate housing and water provision.  Tshabalala also noted the "individual and collective efforts of farm workers, farm dwellers and farmers and the role played by the farming sector in seeking solutions", even while strained relations continued in some parts of the country. She proposed that the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform and the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour should review the legislation, with an eye on improvements and conducting public hearings, to report back to the House by 31 November 2021.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jan Gerber at News24

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