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chapter 5
African Farmers Union of South Africa (NAFU SA). Each of these organisations
represents a specific group of members.
Grain SA and other role-players in the agricultural sector realised that the existence
of the four representative organisations was not in the interests of the country’s
producers, because they divided their voice and negotiating power. After a request
by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson,
the realisation developed that something had to be done to get the different repre-
sentative organisations around one table and to find a base from which they could
co-operate in the interests of agriculture.
It was decided to obtain the involvement of Prof Mohammad Karaan, dean of the
Faculty of Agriculture at the Stellenbosch University and former Chairperson
of the National Agricultural Marketing Council, to facilitate talks between the
different organisations. A delegation comprising representatives from Agri SA,
Grain SA and the Free State Agricultural Union visited him and obtained his
support. Through Karaan’s mediation the four organisations started talks,
which eventually in November 2012 culminated in the founding of the Agri-
sector Unity Forum (ASUF), with AFASA, NAFU SA, TLU SA and Agri SA as its
members. This created a forum where white and black producers could work
together to address important agricultural issues.
Although Grain SA played an important role in the establishment of ASUF, it is not
a member of ASUF. However, Grain SA is affiliated with Agri SA. ASUF’s main ob-
jective is to obtain consensus among its members and speak with one voice about
matters that affect agriculture.
In particular, ASUF focuses on competitiveness in South African agriculture,
sustainability of the agricultural sector and the development of markets. ASUF
is closely involved in the debate on land reform in South Africa and has formu-
lated proposals and submitted them for consideration to the Minister of Rural
Development and Land Reform, Mr Gugile Nkwinti. The fact that the members
succeeded in reaching consensus on the submission to Minister Nkwinti on
this extremely sensitive topic, despite differences on many of the issues, is
very encouraging.
ASUF does not have its own secretariat or staff, and all the members work together
to allow it to function. Since the founding of ASUF in 2012, Mr Japie Grobler has
served as Vice-chairpersons. He took over the reins as Chairperson of ASUF in