PAARL – South Africa’s white farmers should stop being sensitive, and participate in critical debates on the transformation of the agricultural landscape and other emotive issues, EFF leader Julius Malema has said.

He was speaking to agricultural sector leaders in the Western Cape on Wednesday night.

Speaking at the dinner hosted by the forum – which calls itself “Gesprek” – Malema moved to allay white fears on “expropriation without compensation”.

“As long as its a productive farm, we don’t have to interfere with the production on that piece of land.”

“When there is part of a land which is not used for agriculture purposes, we would be having a problem. All we are saying is the land must be used. It must not lie idle,” Malema said.

But, he wasted little time before warning farmers that they needed to play their part in empowering black people.

“You owe it to the people who have been oppressed…to mentor them,” Malema said.

“If you love this country, you must love its people. Say to them I’m volunteering my services. I’m going to make sure the land is used productively and used to feed the children of this community.”

In turn, government should subsidise farmers to ensure cheap agricultural imports don’t push more farmers out of business.

“We need to protect you. We need to make wine from France very expensive.”

“Everybody in agriculture will be given tractors and seeds…to allow agriculture to continue. Transfer that skills so we can double production in agriculture…and create some opportunities for previously disadvantaged people of South Africa,” he pleaded.

White men were duty bound to offer their services to boost transformation initiatives, Malema said.

“It’s up to white males to stand up and say we are here. We must be counted in reconstructing this society and to become a society for all of us.”

Those who did not want to contribute to transforming the sector were free to pack up and leave.

“There is no white man…no white woman who is going to be driven into the sea,” he assured the farmers.

“Feel free to leave, but you would miss out. You will miss us. We won’t miss you.”

Malema also appealed to farmers to stop panicking every time they heard a “media snippet” about what he was saying.

”You must stop being sensitive. Participate in the robust debate. We will never kill you for disagreeing with us.”

At the same time, Malema used the platform to canvass support from Afrikaners for the EFF, even asking farmers to whip out their chequebooks.

“Without strong opposition you move towards a dictatorship. We need your support. We need your financial contribution to make democracy work,” he said.

“Yes, let’s disagree. Criticise us, but support democracy.”

Taking a swipe

Malema did not miss out on an opportunity to take a swipe at some of his biggest political opponents, including President Jacob Zuma and Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane.

Asked why he chose to support Zuma for ANC President in the run up to the Polokwane conference in December 2007, Malema said at the time he was trying to prevent a “constitutional crisis” which would have unfolded should Thabo Mbeki have been given a third term as party president.

Zuma, Malema said, was the only contender brave enough to challenge Mbeki and had promised him that he would only serve one term as President, eventually reneging on the agreement.

“The only way of stopping prison is by becoming the President of the ANC. That’s what drove his [Zuma’s] bravery. It was self-serving."

"He didn’t do it for the country. He did it for himself,” Malema said.

Turning to the country’s biggest opposition party, Malema told the farmers the DA had reached its ceiling in terms of votes and would be going downhill should Mmusi Maimane be elected as the party’s new leader.

“Politics don’t need pastors. They need politicians. The DA is going to be converted into a church,” he said to laughter from his audience.

“Helen Zille was a strong politician. It’s can’t be said with Maimane. From there it will be the end of the party.”

Malema’s address was well received by farmers who said they appreciated his frank approach to important issues, including those on land.

Many clamoured to have photographs taken with Malema.

-ANA