NaLFA-SA WANTS TO MAKE IMPACT WITH TRANSFORMATION

The newly formed red meat commodity association, the National Livestock Farmers’ Association of South Africa (NaLFA-SA), is calling for a real and impactful transformation in the South African red meat industry that is directed by its members.

The call was made by Aggrey Mahanjana, the chairperson of National Emergent Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (NERPO) when introducing NaLFA-SA, which replaced NERPO at a recent launch ceremony in Pretoria.

NaLFA-SA was launched by 19 district-based associations across all nine provinces and the process of re-mobilisation is ongoing to cover all 42 agriculture-based districts.  The change of course and rebranding comes with a new mandate of facilitating real and impactful transformation within the entire value chain of the red meat industry. This will entail re-mobilising black livestock farmers in South Africa and linking them with both local, national and international markets.

With the new mandate, NaLFA-SA will be proactive, especially in lobbying government for legislation and policy changes that support impactful transformation through participation of black individuals in the entire value chain of the red meat industry, by driving transformation themselves.

Brenda Maaronganye from Sedibeng District Municipality in Gauteng, was appointed the first National Chairperson of NaLFA-SA. She highlighted several areas that NaLFA-SA will prioritise for lobbying and advocacy:

1. Implementation of the adopted sector plan.
2. Land ownership – clear policy direction on sale of state land to lessees.
3. Access to affordable finance and access to transformation levy for capacity building.
4. Red meat value chain ownership in all value chain nodes (not only primary production).
5. Development and ownership of the goat value chain.
6. Genetic improvement and support with breeding stock.
7. Traceability and market access (local and international) – removing barriers and exploitative market systems.
8. Access to water – water rights.
9. Rural infrastructure development – poor road and inaccessibility.
10. Farm infrastructure and equipment – handling facilities and dip tanks.
11. Animal disease management e.g. foot and mouth, brucellosis control.
12. Farm security – lawlessness and stock theft is unprecedented.
13. Knowledge and skills development (education, training and mentorship).
14. Women and youth empowerment for business ownership.

The chairperson officially accorded Mahanjana the position as honorary lifetime official of the NaLFA SA in recognition of his work as founder and chairperson of NERPO.

Source : NaLFA-SA