SANDF and Agri SA discuss further cooperation
1 December 2020
The South African National Defence Force and Agri SA met on 30 November 2020 to explore further areas of co-operation; the establishment of a mutually beneficial relationship and more specifically to explore integrated rural economic development and rural security initiatives.
The Chief of the SANDF, General Shoke, said, “The Defence Force should be a role player in assisting communities in distress and farming communities. The SANDF should be ‘a bridge builder’.” He added that he was aware of the security and safety threat faced by farming communities along the international borders and that cross-border crime should be dealt with to address this threat.
Agri SA President, Pierre Vercueil, said the organisation wants to work with the Defence Force to enhance the contribution of agriculture to food security and to address poverty in rural areas. “The safety of our farming communities along the SA borders is important to Agri SA. For this reason, Agri SA and the SANDF should work together to help improve rural safety and security.”
Both organisations agreed that agriculture is an appropriate vehicle to contribute towards economic growth. Therefore, it is important to deal effectively with the crime and other community problems along the borders and in rural areas. In this regard, the Defence Force informed Agri SA that it was working on finalising the Mzantsi Home Guard ability.