Afrikaner ‘refugees' are opportunists: Women on Farms Project says farm workers are the victims in South Africa
The first group of Afrikaners from South Africa arrived for resettlement listening to remarks from US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and US Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Troy Edgar
Image: SAUL LOEB / AFP
As the first group of 49 South Africans settle in the United States after they were invited by President Donald Trump to apply for refugee status, an organisation representing farm workers in the Western Cape said the 'refugees' are opportunists.
On Monday morning, IOL reported that a chartered plane carrying 49 South African Afrikaners departed for the United States on Sunday night under Trump's offer for the 'discriminated' South African individuals and families to relocate.
The first batch of Afrikaner refugees left OR Tambo International Airport on a flight operated by the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based charter company Omni Air International, and are expected to land in Washington on Monday evening.
Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Denile Samuel, Women on Farms Project's labour coordinator said while the Afrikaners are being relocated to the United States, the plight of farm workers in South Africa remains neglected. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
'My sense about that (issue) is, the real people who are marginalised, the real people who are not heard and not seen are farm workers. They are the ones that need to complain, not white Afrikaners,' Samuel told the television news channel.
'They are opportunists, that is what they are.'
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
She said farm workers in South Africa are neglected, and the matter does not receive the attention it deserves.
'Of course they are (neglected). For years, they have been neglected, they are still neglected. They are the voiceless.'
Members of Women on Farms Project marched to the Department of Labour and Employment offices in the Western Cape, calling for improved working and better living conditions for farm workers.
Image: Supplied/Women on Farms Project
On Monday, members of Women on Farms Project marched to the Department of Labour and Employment offices in the Western Cape, where they handed over a memorandum of demands, calling for improved working and better living conditions for farm workers.
IOL has seen the memorandum of demands directed at Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth; chief director for provincial operations in Western Cape, Mawele Ntamo; provincial chief inspector in Western Cape, David Esau, and Dr Iqram Bux, senior manager of medical services, Compensation Fund in the province.
'In August 2024, Mr Ntamo, chief director of operations in the Western Cape, provincial head of the Department of Employment and Labour, announced on a public platform that Minister Meth would be visiting and engaging with farm workers in October or November 2024; this did not happen, neither were farm workers informed of when she would visit,' the memorandum stated.
'Since her appointment, Women on Farms Project has sent several requests to Minister Meth through her private secretary and director of communications, to engage with farm workers around widespread labour rights violations on commercial farms. These invitations have never even been acknowledged by the minister and her department.'
Denile Samuel, Labour Coordinator of Women on Farms Project
Image: Supplied
In the memorandum, the 'frustrated' women farm workers and dwellers are requesting an engagement with Meth.
The memorandum said it sought to also highlight the ongoing failure of the Department of Employment and Labour to uphold its mandate to enforce labour laws, conduct effective inspections, and respond timeously to urgent labour rights violations on farms.
Among other demands, the women farm workers are seeking acknowledgement and a response to their memorandum by May 20. They are also demanding an engagement with Meth, to discuss issues pertaining to the labour rights of farm workers.
Farmworkers Women farm workers and dwellers march to Philagro's office in Somerset West to hand over a memorandum demanding a complete and immediate end to the production, export and use of cyanamide/Dormex for agricultural purposes amid serious health concerns.
Image: Supplied
Earlier this week, IOL reported that Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has yet to disclose how his office would deal with increasing calls for a complete and immediate end to the production, export and use of cyanamide/Dormex for agricultural purposes, amid serious health risks to farmworkers.
Cyanamide, a Highly Hazardous Pesticide (HHP), according to Women on Farms Project, has lost its approval in the European Union since 2008, but is still produced by Alzchem in Germany from where it is exported to countries in the global South, including South Africa.
In South Africa, cyanamide is distributed by Philagro on behalf of Alzchem, according to Women on Farms Project.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
22 minutes ago
- IOL News
Reflecting on the 1976 Soweto uprisings
As this time approaches of June 16, I often realise that we just overcame the apartheid system not long ago. I often get that people want to make us forget, as if we're talking about something that happened many moon, says the writer.. It was at this time that the momentum had already been building up; the Afrikaans language policy was the final straw, and thus began the countdown to the Soweto uprising, a historical moment that caused a shift in South Africa. I applaud the students of 1976 for their bravery in standing up for the unfair and unjust past educational system. As this time approaches of June 16, I often realise that we just overcame the apartheid system not long ago. I often get that people want to make us forget, as if we're talking about something that happened many moons ago, how I wish I could also see that way too, maybe my problem is that I like to create mental images or scenes in my mind and end up having a present feeling. However, for me, this moment is not just a moment for reflection on how ruthless the apartheid was, but it is also a moment of admiration and a reminder to myself that change begins with the youth. I will be turning 37 years old by August this year, and this marks a turning point into economic reality in the South African context. Many doors of career development are closed for me, and according to my culture, I am now in a position to contribute to the family and community. I am considered to have fully matured and am in a position to offer mentorship to young people and uphold values. However, my reality and the reality of other 37-year-old black South Africans is that we are frustrated, there is a feeling of shame or guilt because we are unable to fulfil those milestones. But it is at this time also that I recharge and reset my mind, getting ready to once again fight the economic emancipation. Having read about the leading events towards the Soweto uprising, a historical moment, I realised that every decision I take daily regarding my life is leading towards my breakthrough. It is my wish that every young South African who is facing the struggle of unemployment and other related issues be strong and courageous and stand up and fight for their future again and again! And again! Maditaba Mmatli Unisa Student
Eyewitness News
an hour ago
- Eyewitness News
EFF's Mente calls for full implementation of SADC Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage
JOHANNESBURG - The Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF)'s Veronica Mente has called for the full implementation of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriages. Mente tabled the motion at the 57th SADC Parliamentary Forum in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, over the weekend. The meeting wrapped up on Sunday, with the adoption of several key resolutions on artificial intelligence and its impact on the work of legislatures. Earlier in the week, the speaker of the National Assembly and leader of the South African delegation, Thoko Didiza, presented South Africa's country report. The report highlighted the progress made in implementing resolutions adopted at the 56th plenary assembly, held in December 2024 in Zambia. This includes Africa's efforts to leverage technology and innovation in building a smart, inclusive, and responsive parliament. This time around, the South African delegation submitted three motions - one on strengthening cyber security in the SADC region, another on increasing efforts to prevent the spread and impact of HIV/Aids and a motion by Mente to combat child marriages. 'This practice continues to deny young millions of young girls their rights to health, education, and to the well-being of all the girls, and it is perpetuating a cycle of poverty and gender inequality.' According to the United Nations Children's Fund [UNICEF], in eastern and southern Africa, 35% of women are married before the age of 18.
Eyewitness News
an hour ago
- Eyewitness News
Israel diverts Gaza-bound aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg
JERUSALEM - Israel intercepted a Gaza-bound aid boat on Monday morning, preventing the activists onboard, including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg, from reaching the blockaded Palestinian territory. The Madleen departed from Italy on June 1, aiming to bring awareness to food shortages in Gaza, which the United Nations has called the "hungriest place on Earth". After 21 months of war, the UN has warned the territory's entire population is at risk of famine. AFP lost contact with the Madleen early Monday morning. At around 3:02 am CET (0102 GMT), Israeli forces "forcibly intercepted" the vessel in international waters as it was approaching Gaza, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition said in a statement. "If you see this video we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters," Thunberg said in a pre-recorded video shared by the coalition. The Palestinian group Hamas condemned the diversion, saying in a statement the boat was being taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod. The Israeli government had vowed to prevent the "unauthorised" ship from breaching the naval blockade of Gaza, urging it to turn back. On Sunday, Defence Minister Israel Katz said the blockade, in place since years before the Israel-Hamas war, was needed to prevent Palestinian militants from importing weapons. READ: Activist aid ship nears Gaza after reaching Egypt coast: organisers After diverting the boat, Israel's foreign ministry posted a picture of the activists all in orange life jackets being offered water and sandwiches. "All the passengers of the 'selfie yacht' are safe and unharmed," the ministry wrote on social media, adding that it expected the activists to return to their home countries. "The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the 'celebrities' will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels," it added. Israel is facing mounting international pressure to allow more aid into Gaza to alleviate widespread shortages of food and basic supplies. It recently allowed humanitarian deliveries to resume after barring them for more than two months and began working with the newly formed, US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). But humanitarian agencies have criticised the GHF and the United Nations refuses to work with it, citing concerns over its practices and neutrality. Dozens of people have been killed near GHF distribution points since late May, according to Gaza's civil defence agency. It said Israeli attacks killed at least 10 people on Sunday, including five civilians hit by gunfire near an aid distribution centre. - 'Risked their lives' for food - Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal and witnesses said the civilians had been heading to a site west of Rafah, in southern Gaza, run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Witness Abdallah Nour al-Din told AFP that "people started gathering in the Al-Alam area of Rafah" in the early morning. "After about an hour and a half, hundreds moved toward the site and the army opened fire," he said. The Israeli military said it fired on people who "continued advancing in a way that endangered the soldiers" despite warnings. The GHF said in a statement there had been no incidents "at any of our three sites" on Sunday. Outside Nasser Hospital, where the emergency workers brought the casualties, AFPTV footage showed mourners crying over blood-stained body bags. "I can't see you like this," said Lin al-Daghma by her father's body. She spoke of the struggle to access food aid after the two-months Israeli blockade, despite the recent easing. At a charity kitchen in Gaza City, displaced Palestinian Umm Ghassan told AFP she had been unable to collect aid from a GHF site "because there were so many people, and there was a lot of shooting. I was afraid to go in, but there were people who risked their lives for their children and families". - Sinwar - Also on Sunday, the Israeli military said it had located and identified the body of Mohammed Sinwar, presumed Hamas leader in Gaza, in an "underground tunnel route beneath the European Hospital in Khan Yunis", in southern Gaza. The military, which until Sunday had not confirmed his death, said Israeli forces killed Sinwar on May 13. Sinwar was the younger brother of slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, accused by Israel of masterminding the 2023 attack that triggered the war. The Hamas attack resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says at least 54,880 people, the majority civilians, have been killed in the territory since the start of the war. The UN considers these figures reliable. After the deaths of several Hamas leaders, Mohammed Sinwar was thought to be at the heart of decisions on indirect negotiations with Israel. The military said that alongside Sinwar's body, forces had found "additional intelligence" at the Khan Yunis site "underneath the hospital, right under the emergency room". Experts said he likely took over as the head of Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, after its leader Mohammed Deif was killed by Israel. The Palestinian group has remained tight-lipped over the names of its top ranks.
