The government, fearing a serious challenge, has reacted strongly against illegal land invasions and shown remarkable flexibility in adapting the land reform programme introduced in 1994 where it has recognised weaknesses.
Nevertheless, it seems difficult to satisfy all those involved. White commercial farmers, who lost virtually all the subsidies they enjoyed in the apartheid years, rightly or wrongly believe that they are being targeted by deregulation, minimum wages, the loss of water rights and land taxes, even though they are the country’s main providers of food security. On the other side, spokespeople for the rural poor accuse the government of favouring the wealthy and putting the interests of the market above those of the consumers.
