Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen says his focus is firmly on farmers and agricultural stakeholders who have chosen to remain in South Africa, rather than those who have left the country.
Speaking at the Nampo Harvest Day 2025, Africa’s largest agricultural exhibition currently underway in Bothaville, Steenhuisen addressed the controversy surrounding the recent departure of 49 South Africans to the United States, reportedly citing concerns over safety and political uncertainty.
“I think that we can’t determine where people live and what their life choices are. That’s for them to make. I happen to think that they’ve made a mistake,” said Steenhuisen in an interview with Newzroom Afrika.
He emphasised his commitment to those who continue to work within the country’s agricultural sector.
“My focus as the Minister of Agriculture is on those farmers and farm workers and people in the agri-space that have chosen, like me, to stay here and make a difference.
”They’re going to get my full attention and focus and support.”
Steenhuisen’s remarks come amid broader engagements with agricultural stakeholders who have voiced concerns over crime, deteriorating road infrastructure, and trade bottlenecks , all of which were key themes during his visit to the Nampo event.
On the international front, he noted the importance of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s upcoming visit to the US where the agricultural sector is urging the government to lobby against a proposed 30% tariff on South African goods.
“We have to avoid at all costs the 30% tariff. It’ll make South African agricultural products absolutely unaffordable and uncompetitive in that market.”
He also called on the President to challenge misinformation abroad: “There’s no genocide in South Africa. Things like mass expropriation without compensation, there’s not a single farm that’s been expropriated without compensation in South Africa.”
On land reform, Steenhuisen reiterated the government’s position against mass expropriation and emphasised constitutional protections: “Section 25 guarantees people the right to own property and not to have that property arbitrarily deprived.”
”There’s no intention that I’ve seen from any level of government to now embark upon a Zimbabwe-style mass expropriation of properties,” he said.
He acknowledged flaws in the current Expropriation Bill, describing parts as “incredibly clumsy and ill-considered.”
Looking ahead to next week’s national budget, Steenhuisen said he is “incredibly comfortable” with the allocation to his department, despite tight fiscal conditions.
“Of course, I don’t think you’ll ever find a minister who says I’ve got enough money. But I think that Minister Godongwana has done a really effective balancing act.”
Steenhuisen emphasised that agriculture remains a top priority for government. “We want to give as much certainty now to the sector so they can get on with the business that they’re experts in, which is growing crops, food, and animals to feed us and to help drive our export.”
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is set to table the budget on Wednesday, May 21.
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