Response to DA's allegations on Fetsa Tlala

08 Apr 2014

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) is appalled by the recent media statements that seek to besmirch the good food production campaign, Fetsa Tlala.

In a country where over 13 million people are faced with hunger, it is disturbing to see a government food production initiative that is capable of ensuring a community that is able to feed itself, so vehemently opposed.

Fetsa Tlala (eradicate hunger) is a government initiative that seeks to push back hunger inadvertently working towards the elimination of the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and hunger. It contributes to the broader national Integrated Food Security and Nutrition Policy (IFSNP). This policy is our country's commitment to the 2008 United Nations' call for a second green revolution that would ensure sustainable global food systems to feed the almost 7 billion global population.

Our own country's hunger statistics are a cause for concern for government and in particular for the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. According to a study conducted by the University of Cape Town, food insecurity is not only prevalent in the poor rural areas but modern cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg have recorded alarming numbers of hungry people. The study reveals 80% of hungry people found in Cape Town and 43% found in Johannesburg. These poor citizens cannot afford to buy food.

One of the areas of Fetsa Tlala is a government call for one family, one garden, to at least ensure a fresh supply of food. Naturally, to ensure success for Fetsa Tlala, government called for partnerships with all stakeholders.

While many heeded the call for increased food production, others have been determined to destroy the campaign. It comes at a great price for the poor and hungry whose hope of getting out of poverty is a purposeful objective and a determination to work hard, through own vegetable patch or raising chickens or other small livestock for survival.

To maximise the launch of Fetsa Tlala, the campaign was branded in accordance with government standards. For the over 13 million hungry South Africans, Fetsa Tlala and the rallying stakeholders bring hope.

It is a shame that some elements in our society are hard at work fighting government's hunger eradication at a cost and especially at the expense of hungry and poor South Africans. Government has a duty to the hungry and poor people of this country and in addressing this scourge, the voice of the protractors should not divert the real issues.

The real issues are that:

• Fetsa Tlala has seen an increase in production in particular of smallholders
• Smallholder producers have increased their high quality crop
• Smallholders have produced enough of this high-quality produce for themselves and could also export 288 tons of maize through the World Food Programme
• Fetsa Tlala has brought food security and hope in a country where over 13 million are hungry regardless of ignorance of some real bread and butter issues for the poor people of South Africa.

Statement issued by Tsotso Sehoole, Acting Deputy Director-General: Stakeholder Relations, Communications and Legal Services, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, April 9 2014

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