This week, the National African Farmer’s Union (NAFU) had a 2-day conference in Kimberley. This conference took place in order for the progressive black farmers to have discussions around the well-being of the agricultural sector- food security being one of the most important issues.

Thirty years ago, the NAFU was established in 1991 with the aim of creating a safe space for thousands of black farmers who had previously been excluded from the mainstream of agriculture. MEC Mase Manopole joined the attendees on the second of the conference. The MEC thanked the black farmers for their perseverance through the many challenges they were faced with. These include the severe drought throughout the province, the covid-19 pandemic as well as the brown locust outbreak in certain parts of the Northern Cape. Members of the union expressed that they are looking forward to having a good working relationship with the Agricultural Department as well as the MEC in order to address the many other challenges they still face and to come up with sustainable solutions for the benefit of all.