Resettle Zimbabwean farmers, before giving the country money

TAU SA is glad that the South African government has not committed itself to give financial help to Zimbabwe. "However, we are concerned about the fact that President Kgalema Motlanthe indicated that South Africa has to take the lead in the financial rebuilding of Zimbabwe," says Mr Ben Marais, president of TAU SA.

Mr Marais said to just give financial support of R10 billion to Zimbabwe, irrespective if it is donated by South Africa or any other country or global financial institution, will not turn around the economy suddenly.

"The economy of a country can only be repaired and kept healthy, only if sound economical principles are applied, well-founded on economical reality.  The one economical reality every country in the world realises, is that it needs a healthy agricultural sector, to provide enough and healthy food for the population.  For this, every country needs a good commercial agricultural sector."

Mr Marais says Zimbabwe once had a very healthy agricultural sector, until the white farmers were chased off their land.  The more farmers who were put off their farms, the more rapid the economy was going down the gutter.

"If Zimbabwe would be serious about rebuilding their economy, it has to resettle the banned farmers on their land, and also give them funding to rebuild their farms, so that agriculture once again can play a key role in the Zimbabwean economy.  Only on this basis TAU SA could support any funding to Zimbabwe.  But until such a resettling plan has not been tabled, TAU SA calls on the South African government, as well as any other government in the word, and also on global financial institutions, not to give any financial support to Zimbabwe.  Without rebuilding the agricultural sector, any funding of Zimbabwe will have no effect at all," Mr Marais said.

Statement issued by Mr Ben Marais, President of the Transvaal Agricultural Union, February 21 2009