Cape Times reports that there was voter apathy among farmworkers in the 2024 national election, with many deciding to stay away from the polls because they continue to face social and human rights issues.

This sentiment was expressed by both farmworkers and a farmworker union, the Commercial, Stevedoring, Agricultural and Allied Workers Union (CSAAWU). National organiser Karel Swart commented: “There has been mixed reactions from farmworkers in this election because they feel their issues are not being addressed. They still face evictions every day, social decay on farms, living conditions, transport, electricity. Not one political party has addressed these issues. They have voted since 1994 and very little has changed for farmworkers.” He went on to say: “At our May Day rally workers also raised the fact that they work on farms for 20 to 30 years and retire with nothing. Then from the R2100 social grant they receive they must pay the farmer R700 to R800 for electricity. They can’t live, there’s no money for food.” Farmworker and mother of one, Lolita Faroa from Rawsonville said evictions persisted and when people retired they were charged high rent by farmers. “Everything is still the same as before. Political parties come during election time then you don’t see them again,” she observed. Farmworker Valencia George, a mother of five from McGregor, said on their farm there were only about 15 people who decided to vote. “There’s only a few that went to vote; most of the young people didn't vote. They asked why they should vote and who must they vote for. There is huge unemployment and lots of matriculants are sitting without work,” she remarked.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicola Daniels at Cape Times

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