KEVIN Lovell, the man at the helm of the South African Poultry Association (Sapa), needs to be congratulated and supported, for trying to make sense to those Americans, who want to use the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) to cause further harm to the South African economy that is currently struggling to revive itself, while facing high rates of unemployment at the time when the government is trying to create opportunities for black South Africans to become participants in the South African economy.
Lovell is correct to ask the Americans that are vocal on this matter to come to South Africa for further discussions on this issue.
When the Americans do eventually come here, they need to be shown the reality of South Africa – where the majority of South Africans live and where the rural economy is almost non existent.
This as at a time when Sapa, with its partner, the Citizens in Partnership with Government (CPG), is accelerating its efforts to help aspiring black poultry farmers to enter the poultry business, which would help to create employment in the country.
Ours is not yet a stable or advanced society like America.
South African society is a combination of both the first world and third world economies, and many black South Africans belong to the latter.
South Africa needs economic stability in order to attain both social and political stability. This would only be achieved when opportunities are created for black people to become active participants in the local economy.
The Americans are blind to this reality that would put democracy in South Africa at risk.
Better life
While many South Africans will remain grateful to America, or to those Americans that have contributed to the fight against apartheid, a mere 20 years after democracy does not mean that the country has changed overnight for many black Africans.
Our government is facing great challenges especially from the black majority, who want to see their lives change for the better. This has been an uphill battle for a government that does not have a sufficiently strong economy to meet the needs of the country.
America does not have service delivery protests, which have become a frequent South African experience. We expect the US to understand the importance of a stable democracy and South Africa is not yet there.
South Africa should be helped to succeed, possibly by recognising the challenges that the country is faced with. Any attempt to destroy the country’s poultry industry by issuing threats that South Africa will lose out on Agoa is not helpful in making South Africa a stable country in Africa.
The CPG agricultural forum, a new body for black farmers and also a representative structure of black poultry farmers, is determined not to be left out on this matter because all the efforts that are designed to include black South Africans as active players in the South African economy will collapse.
If this is allowed to happen it would perpetuate the life of poverty and suffering that many black people have endured for many years.
Bheki Shongwe is the chief executive of Citizens in Partnership with Government (CPG) and CPG agricultural forum national co-ordinator.