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ZIMBABWE Following governmental land reforms, Zimbabwe has found itself in a major food crisis. With more than half the population facing starvation, many blame “drought and a collapse of agriculture after the government's confiscation of white-owned farms as part of its land-reform program.”[1kbw] This crisis, closely monitored by the international press, has forced South Africa to re-examine land reform possibilities. AgriSa, a mainly white commercial farming union, sees land reform in Zimbabwe as disastrous. According to Agri SA executive director Hans van der Merwe, Zimbabwe’s land reform program “is a tool to gain and secure control in Zimbabwe,” rather than a method to promote economic growth and food security.[2kbw] On the other hand, Thoko Didiza, South Africa’s Agriculture and Land Affairs Minister, sees Zimbabwe’s land reform efforts as overall positive.[3kbw] The National African Farmers Union agrees with Didiza that land reform in Zimbabwe is working, attributing the setbacks to the refusal of whites to vacate land.[4kbw] Link to Zimbabwe's Influence on Neoliberal Reform
[1kbw] Kraft, Dina. “UN envoy: Let free trade help alleviate hunger in Zimbabwe.” Associated Press 25 January 2003. Accessed via Lexis-Nexis. [2kbw] “Zim Minister Bragged About Farms For Pals: Agri Sa.” SAPA (South African Press Association) 31 January 2003. Accessed via Lexis-Nexis. [3kbw] “South Africa: Farming Union Contradicts Minister On Zimbabwe Land Reform.” BBC Monitoring International Reports 3 February 2003. Accessed via Lexis-Nexis. [4kbw] “Black farmers' union optimistic about production in Zimbabwe.” Business Day (South Africa) 10 February 2003. Accessed via Lexis-Nexis. |
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