Marianne Merten
The new Western Cape government has scrapped well-advanced plans, pushed by the previous Democratic Alliance-controlled administration, to semi-privatise provincial agricultural services.
This is the first political move by the African National Congress-New National Party coalition to undo the DA government legacy.
The Western Cape Agricultural Development Service Bill, which would have transformed agricultural services into a semi-autonomous public entity, put the province on a collision course with national government. Last year Minister of Agricultural and Land Affairs Thoko Didiza threatened punitive measures and Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel was prepared to take legal action to stop it.
Both national and provincial authorities are responsible for agriculture, regarded as a core government and economic function. At the time, the provincial authorities insisted it was not a case of privatisation, but rather the implementation of good business practices.
Western Cape Agriculture, Tourism and Gambling MEC Johan Gelder- blom this week confirmed the Bill had been scrapped with the backing of the provincial cabinet. Instead, an adviser would be appointed in his office to liaise with farmers and farmworkers to ensure the best possible agricultural service.
“The reality is that there is a new government in the Western Cape. It is in the interest of the people that this new government is committed to one goal: to serve all the people in the Western Cape and work with national government.”
It is understood Didiza has welcomed the scrapping.
The Bill was due for a third reading late last year as the provincial administration was in the midst of the DA break-up. However, the Bill continued to be pushed because the then administration claimed national treasury had obtained permission for the Bill. But it is understood this belief was based, wrongly, on a letter by a junior official acting without proper authority.