Free State Agriculture (FSA) welcomed the urgent ruling by the Pretoria High Court, which compels the Minister of Agriculture to finalise a scheme allowing private vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). This is a significant shift from his department’s previous position.…
Free State Agriculture (FSA), Sakeliga and SAAI will appear in the High Court on Tuesday, 24 March 2026 in an urgent application to prevent the government from blocking the private procurement and administration of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines. FSA president…
Free State Agriculture is increasingly concerned about the potential impact of escalating geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran on global fuel markets, and the knock-on effects this may have on South African agriculture and food security. The conflict…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) has confirmed that it, together with the Southern Africa Agri-Initiative (SAAI) and Sakeliga, has brought an urgent application in the High Court in Pretoria for interim relief against the Minister of Agriculture, the Department of Agriculture…
The declaration of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) as a national disaster marks a critical turning point for South Africa’s livestock sector. For farmers in the Free State, the question is simple: what happens next? While farmers await action from government, Free…
The foot-and-mouth disease crisis has raised many questions among farmers, such as: Free State Agriculture has compiled the following documents that can be downloaded to answer your questions:
The Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has escalated into a full-blown national crisis with severe consequences for South Africa’s agricultural trade, rural jobs and food security. Free State Agriculture (FSA) warns that the ongoing failure to contain outbreaks and ensure timely access…
Free State Agriculture (FSA), together with key players in the agricultural industry including the Southern Africa Agri-Initiative (SAAI) and Sakeliga, have initiated formal steps through their legal representative to break the state’s monopoly on the procurement and administration of foot-and-mouth…
“We must urgently break the state monopoly over the foot-and-mouth disease crisis so that vaccines can be placed in the hands of farmers immediately. Farmers must be allowed to vaccinate as quickly as possible to curb the uncontrolled spread of…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) expresses its shock over two farm attacks that took place in the Free State this past weekend. In the first incident, a 72-year-old female farmer, who farms alone in the Bultfontein area, was overtaken and assaulted…
Despite the best efforts of state veterinarians on the ground, leader farmers and commodity organizations urging their members to cooperate with the state and comply to regulations, the unprecedented spike in Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) cases over the festive…
As the festive season approaches, crime trends in the Free State — including farm attacks and other property-related offences — show signs of increasing. Free State Agriculture (FSA) urges all farmers to critically evaluate their security networks using the farmer…
“While job creation remains a national imperative, it cannot be the key performance indicator (KPI) for the maintenance of critical infrastructure,” says Francois Wilken, President of Free State Agriculture (FSA). Wilken adds, “If the provincial government were truly serious about…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) / Vrystaat Landbou notes with grave concern the escalating outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) across several regions of the Free State. According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s latest update on 23 October 2025,…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) has expressed concern about the increase in seed theft that has been occurring from farms in the Free State since September 2025. According to Dr Jane Buys, Safety Risk Analyst, areas that have already been targeted…
“One third into the government’s financial year and project funds are already depleted, leaving only enough to cover the Department’s bloated, top-heavy staffing structure.” This is according to Francois Wilken, President of Free State Agriculture (FSA), who says that despite…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) attended a consultation meeting with border farmers in the Wepener and Boesmanskop/Zastron areas on 29 September 2025 to discuss the rehabilitation of the RSA/Lesotho border road. The farmers unanimously objected to a passable border road. According…
Vrystaat Landbou (VL) strongly rejects President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent remarks in which he compared South Africa’s land reform efforts to Zimbabwe’s disastrous experiment. Such comparisons are not only misleading but dangerous. “Zimbabwe’s so-called land reform collapsed one of Africa’s most…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) has expressed concern about the ongoing problem of veld fires on farms along the RSA/Lesotho border, which are being deliberately set by people from Lesotho. In the past three days alone (14–16 July 2025), seven veld…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) notes with concern the confirmed outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the Moqhaka Local Municipality, within the Kroonstad State Veterinary area. According to a statement issued by the National Department of Agriculture on 14 July, the…
The Clocolan Agricultural Society, local taxi associations, and business leaders have issued formal notice of the planned closure of the R708 between Clocolan and Marquard, in an effort to get urgent repairs done to this life-threatening road. This action follows…
Free State Agriculture’s Rural Safety Committee has taken serious note of the increasing incidents of illegal dog hunting, especially in areas of the Free State such as the Goudveld region. Large groups of people and dogs are unlawfully entering farms…
Free State Agriculture has made a submission to PSIRA on proposed amendments to the Private Security Industry, which include strict restrictions on firearm use and mandatory annual mental and physical assessments for security officers. According to FSA, these amendments will…
Biometric identification of animals will be used by Free State Agriculture to address livestock theft, through collaboration with ID-Scan. Free State Agriculture signed a memorandum of understanding with the chairman of the ID-Scan board, Bian Jooste, in Pretoria on 11…
Free State Agriculture welcomes the support pledged to the agricultural sector this week by President Trump. According to Francois Wilken, President of Free State Agriculture, the organisation is encouraged that the US government has heeded the pleas of South African…
The Department of Labour and Employment has announced a 4.4% increase in the national minimum wage for farm workers effective 1 March 2025. The adjustment increases the minimum wage from R27.58 to R28.79, a decision that reflects the complex economic…
“Free State farmers are extremely disappointed with the price increase approved by NERSA for ESKOM”, says Francois Wilken, president of Free State Agriculture (FSA). “Even though it’s not the total increase that ESKOM requested, it’s still four times more than…
After months of anticipation, the Expropriation Act has been signed into law by President Ramaphosa, but Free State Agriculture (FSA) believes that the law will not pass the constitutional test. The organisation points out that the law’s definition of “expropriation…
By: Francois Wilken, Farmer & President of Free State Agriculture Which came first? The chicken or the egg? Or in the case of agriculture, one might ask: The farmer or the value chain? There is a misconception that the farmer…
Farmers are facing the biggest survival crisis yet. Regardless of what economists and other scholars want to pretend, farmers are in trouble: financially, emotionally and spiritually. Farmers are price takers, on the input and output side and still pay the…
The Free State Agriculture Rural Safety Committee presented nine (9) safety and stock theft training workshops in various districts in the Free State from 4 September to 20 November 2024. The workshops were presented in collaboration with the Police’s Rural…
In the run-up to the festive season, it is essential for farmers to pay attention to their safety plan, as well as their involvement in a safety structure in their area. A survey by FSA conducted among farming communities in…
Free State Agriculture (FSA), representing 2,500 commercial farming entities across 144 local farmer associations, strongly objected to Eskom’s proposed tariff increases at the NERSA public hearings held in Bloemfontein on 25 November. FSA emphasized that the agricultural sector, already grappling…
We are looking for 2025’s Young Farmer of the Year! This candidate is a true farmer at heart—someone unafraid to dream big, roll up their sleeves, and work hard to achieve their goals. They also play an active role in…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) acknowledges the progress made by SANRAL in taking over key national routes within the province. However, there is significant concern over the ongoing issues related to the repair of rural roads infrastructure, which are vital for…
In the wake of a series of seven catastrophic wildfires that ravaged the Vrede, Memel, and Verkykerskop areas from 26 to 29 September, Free State Agriculture’s ground-level structures stepped in to coordinate vital fire relief efforts. Mr. Wikus van der…
“It is unfortunate that there are misconceptions that farmers are depriving communities of an adequate water supply.” This is the opinion of Kempen Nel, chairman of Free State Agriculture (FSA)’s Natural Resources Committee, in response to Me Pemmy Majodina, Minister…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) is urging the MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport, as well as the MEC for Agriculture, to take swift action following their visit to high-crime areas along the Lesotho border between 10 and 12 September.…
The Provincial Safety Summit presented by the SAPS in Bloemfontein on 28 and 29 August 2024 should not just be a paper exercise, requests Free State Agriculture (FSA). FSA, together with all government departments that have an interest in agriculture…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) met with the Free State MEC of Community Safety, Mr Mbalula as well as the MEC of Agriculture, Ms Rockman, on 22 August 2024 regarding the safety and increased crime experienced by all border communities and…
While strong winds have been a contributing factor, the recent veld fires devastating thousands of hectares of land could have been avoided, says Dr Jack Armour, commercial manager at Free State Agriculture (FSA), responsible for disaster mitigation and response. “If…
“We note that Lesotho, like our other neighbouring countries, is in the middle of a food security crisis and that South Africa will feel the consequences”, says Francois Wilken, President of Free State Agriculture (FSA). Wilken’s reaction follows the statement…
The Rural Safety Committee of Free State Agriculture (FSA) convened with the newly appointedFree State MEC of Community Safety, Roads, and Transport, Mr. Jabu Mbalula, and his team ofdirectors on July 11th. The meeting aimed to foster cooperation to tackle…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) recently met with the newly appointed MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs, Ms Elzabe Rockman, to discuss critical issues affecting the agricultural sector in the region. The meeting, held on Friday, July 12, covered…
The agricultural sector has warned Eskom several times that its plans will result in it losing the agricultural sector as a customer. The latest plan to impose drastic charges on fixed costs is no exception. Currently the average bill is…
The latest national election delivered a lot of surprises as well as disappointments. The outcome gives a clear voice to South Africans’ needs. Various discussions are underway regarding possible coalitions. There is therefore uncertainty but also hope and politicians have…
Free State Agriculture, in collaboration with the private security company LGV, has trained 16 additional Psira registered private investigators on livestock theft over the past 2 days. This brings the total number of investigators to 21. According to Peet Swanepoel,…
Farmers in the Free State are at a loss with the increasing theft of maize that occurs in various parts of the province. Rudi Jansen van Vuuren, safety representative of Free State Agriculture (FSA) in the Allanridge/Odendaalsrus area, says that…
The Minister of Police recently released crime statistics for the third quarter of the financial year, from 1 October to 31 December 2023. Dr Jane Buys, Safety risk analyst for Free State Agriculture, compiled a report (in Afrikaans) which can…
“In the wake of the 1st outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in the Free State, Free State Agriculture (FSA) took decisive action,” stated Francois Wilken, President of Free State Agriculture. “Our members mandated Congress to urgently investigate an animal…
“Frustration levels of farmers continue to rise as they don’t see any of the promised improvements in the rural roads that are steadily declining! This forces farmers to jump in and do basic repairs or pay blader operators themselves, just…
In the past years the higher instances of load shedding have affected food production negatively. Typically, irrigation farmers have been affected in that they were not able to water crops during critical stages. For example, with the recent heatwave conditions,…
The current heatwave condition, together with phase 6 load shedding, is putting tremendous stress on especially maize and soybean crops on dry land and even under irrigation in several regions in the Free State. “The confluence of circumstances is causing…
On 7 February 2024, the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Select Committee on Public Service and Administration, Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) convened to consider the proposed amendments to the Expropriation Bill (C-List). The provinces have been afforded the opportunity…
“The 8.5% adjustment of the National Minimum Wage, as it was published in the Government Gazette on February 2, 2024, is completely out of touch with the economic realities experienced by businesses and is indicative of the total lack of…
On 18 November 2023, a safety workshop was held between the farming communities surrounding Bloemfontein, private security companies, neighborhood guards serving holding areas, the police as well as organized agricultural structures including TLU, Saai, AfriForum and Free State Agriculture. The…
• 241 sheep and 98 cattle worth R1.5 million were recovered • 14 arrests in 6 livestock theft cases were carried out • 4 vehicles and 1 trailer seized These are three of the many successes that Free State Agriculture…
Farmers in the Free State province have been dealt a devastating blow by veld fires. There were 5 781 veldfire incidents affecting 539 137.22 hectares of farming land in the Free State province since 1 May 2023. A lot of…
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development MEC, Saki Mokoena and his EXCO decided that this mostly very successful voucher system that has been in use for the past few years will be replaced with a tender / procurement panel…
On 7 September 2023, Free State Agriculture held in-depth discussions with the members of the Free State Provincial Government regarding community safety as well as the provincial road network. The meeting with representatives of FSA was attended by the MEC…
The South African Weather service recently released the latest seasonal climate watch results for September 2023 to January 2024. According to SA Weather service, “The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is currently in an El Niño state and according to the…
Livestock theft has gotten out of hand to such an extent that Free State Agriculture (FSA) is now forced to establish its own private investigators initiative that focuses on livestock theft. According to Francois Wilken, president of Free State Agriculture,…
The racial classification for water rights is an attack on human rights, says Free State Agriculture. Both the Constitution and the South African Human Rights Commission (HRC) regard the right to water as a fundamental and basic human right. The…
“Meat prices on shop shelves are rising drastically, while the weanling calf prices farmers receive are at a 5-year low”. Dr Jack Armour, commercial manager of Free State Agriculture (FSA), says weaner calf prices are currently 20% lower than a…
This week sees the public hearings of the Infrastructure Development Portfolio Comittee on the Expropriation Bill. OUR STANDPOINT We cannot support the inclusion of ‘nil compensation’. Today’s farmers are not solely responsible for historical events and cannot be required to…
Illegal hunting with dogs remains problematic in farming communities. Many farmers complain that this type of crime does not get the necessary response from the police. In many cases a trespassing complaint is not even opened by the police nor…
“South Africa’s core infrastructure is collapsing and it will remain so if active citizens and private initiatives do not stand up and make things work themselves”. This was the message of Francois Wilken, President of Free State Agriculture (FSA), to…
“More livestock thieves could lose their lives if the state security agencies do not fulfil their legal obligation in terms of the Constitution”, warns Mr Francois Wilken, president of Free State Agriculture (FSA). Wilken refers to the incident on 5…
Free State Agriculture’s 2023 Young Farmer of the Year is an optimistic young farmer who believes in seeking the positive in every situation. Lukas Lessing (26) from Marquard was announced as the 27th winner of the competition on 18 April…
South Africans are “hungry” for jobs, housing, effective policing, roads without potholes, affordable fuel and available electricity! This is the reaction of Friedl von Maltitz, vice-president of Free State Agriculture (FSA), to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s statement that the “Expropriation Act…
Higher levels of load shedding leads to more crime and losses in farming
communities. Free State Agriculture (FSA) conducted a survey amongst its members and these are the findings
“Compensate communities for public services that we have to provide ourselves”. This is the message that Free State Agriculture (FSA) wants to convey to the Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana, before the budget speech that takes place on 22…
Three determined and dynamic young farmers, each of whom is an asset to their respective communities, will face each other to be named Free State Agriculture’s 27th Young Farmer of the Year. The candidates are: Hansie Müller (36) from Viljoenskroon…
Regardless of whether Government can keep to the noble plans committed to by President Ramaphosa in his upbeat 2023 State of the Nations address, the farmers of the Free State will continue regardless to make plans to over-come challenges as…
Given the impact of load shedding on agricultural activities, it is currently estimated that up to a quarter of South Africa’s staple food harvest, maize, is wilting on irrigated lands. According to Free State Agriculture’s Commercial Affairs Committee chairman, Kempen…
In the midst of highly unreliable service delivery, ESKOM is allowed to increase their rates by 18.65% from 1 April 2023 and a further 12.74% from next year! “This is highly unaffordable and amounts to daylight robbery” says Kempen Nel,…
President Ramaphosa clearly stated as part of the January 8th statement celebrating the ANC’s 111 year birthday that “The ANC remains resolute in its commitment to equitable access to land to reverse apartheid disposition … The passage of the Expropriation…
Die feesseisoen is op hande en Vrystaat Landbou (VL) moedig boerderygemeenskappe aan om ekstra paraat en oplettend gedurende dié tydperk te wees. Dr Jane Buys, Veiligheidsrisiko-analis van VL, sê dat veral eiendomsverwante misdade soos inbrake gereeld in die feestyd voorkom.…
Entries are open for Free State Agriculture’s 2023 Young Farmer of the Year competition. Candidates between the age of 18 and 40 can apply. We look at your management philosophy and the technical skill with which you carry it out…
As a result of the terrible condition of the R30 ‘death road’, nearly 25 people have lost their lives in recent months. Although Free State Agriculture (FSA) welcomes the eventual appointment of contractors (who will restore the R30), many lives…
Vaccine shortages against Rift Valley Fever, Bluetongue and Horse Sickness can lead to a crisis in the livestock production industry. According to Francois Wilken, President of Free State Agriculture (FSA), the agricultural sector is increasingly struggling to gain timely access…
Illegal activities and crimes that adversely affect the safety of every farmer, their families and workers located near the southern Lesotho border area were discussed during Free State Agriculture (FSA)’s visit to the area on 2 November 2022. Emerging as…
While October is considered by politicians as “transport month” to supposedly focus on the important theme of the country’s progress, numerous agricultural associations in the Free State were once again forced to put their hands in their own pockets to…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) is cautiously optimistic about the recent announcement by Mr William Bulwane, Free State MEC for police, roads and transport that ‘millions have been allocated for the repair of battered roads in the Free State’. Francois Wilken,…
It seems as if there is an emerging trend in the Free State, where large quantities of seed are stolen. Dr Jane Buys, safety risk analyst from Free State Agriculture (FSA), mentions that three incidents took place last week in…
“Property rights are under threat and the government is still steaming ahead on an ideological path, regardless of all the challenges the country is facing.” Francois Wilken, president of Free State Agriculture (FSA), expressed his organization’s disappointment and concern at…
Francois Wilken, President of Free State Agriculture (FSA) warned today that the increase in load shedding is undermining food production. According to Wilken, the organization’s members are seriously concerned about the impact of load shedding on farmers’ production capacity. “Providing…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) has warned that the adoption of the New Expropriation Bill will pave the way for government overreach and corruption on a scale not yet seen in South Africa. Citizens should ask themselves: What does this government…
“Reports of the highly contagious Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) being detected in a feedlot and then the neighbouring commonage areas of Harrismith last week in cattle and pigs have raised fears of the spread to neighbouring farmers, Tsiame and…
“If the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the Free State and other provinces cannot be combated, the Free State and the country face the destruction of our commercial livestock industry,” says Francois Wilken, President of Free State Agriculture. This will be…
With pride we represent the farmers and the communities of the Free State, seeing challenges as opportunities, regardless of the trials we face every day. We are steadfast in our faith and although we are open to persuasion, we remain…
Free State Agriculture’s annual congress, which will be presented on 3 & 4 August 2022, will focus on the viability of the agricultural industry. According to Francois Wilken, Free State Agricultural President, the changing international and local conditions confront the…
A safe and sustainable agricultural sector and food security is undermined with the non-implementation of the National Rural Security Strategy (NRSS). This was Free State Agriculture’s message to the Minister of Police, Mr Cele at the National Rural Safety Summit…
“South Africa’s young farmers are not only the future of the agricultural industry, but also the key role players in ensuring food security”, says Francois Wilken, President of Free State Agriculture (FSA). Our country’s young farmers face a unique combination…
“The current terrible state of most of our Free State roads cannot just be blamed on the heavy rains but to poor management and neglect by the Free State government.” This was the opening statement of the memorandum Free State…
“For the sake of survival and for the sake of our children, we are forced to take on another state responsibility.” This is the opinion of Friedl von Maltitz, vice-president of Free State Agriculture, after “a disappointing meeting with the…
Tired of poor service and dilapidated roads! This is why farmers in the Allanridge area this morning, May 10, 2022, blocked the S-86 with pickups and trailers to demonstrate their displeasure with the Department of Roads due to the department’s…
The Free State MEC for Agriculture’s recent budget is a lamentable failure to effectively assist farmers with regard to crime prevention and biosecurity measures. All farmers are at the mercy of not only criminals but also the outbreak of possible…
While events in Eastern Europe point to the growing importance of a country’s food security, the South African government is working on an Expropriation Bill that will make South Africans dependent on foreign food producers. According to Francois Wilken, President…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) is concerned about the impact that a confluence of circumstances may have on food prices and food security in Southern Africa. Francois Wilken, president of FSA, mentions that various aspects currently have a major impact on…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) warns farming communities to take the necessary precautions to protect their maize plantations from theft. This follows after eight farming communities (Allanridge, Bothaville, Bultfontein, Koppies, Odendaalsrus, Vierfontein, Virginia and Welkom) have already been subjected to this…
A donation of R50 000 was approved by Free State Agriculture to the Agri SA Disaster Relief Foundation. “It is with great gratitude and appreciation to our neighbouring province for their hard work to destroy the locusts before they can…
A Livestock theft that took place on 19 February 2022 in the Brandfort area was addressed quickly and effectively by the SAPS’s specialist units. During this Sunday night, 48 Dorper ewes and 2 rams worth R155 000 were stolen. The…
“We are cautiously optimistic that the Treasury will accelerate infrastructure investment, which it acknowledges is the backbone of a thriving economy.” This was the reaction of Francois Wilken, President of Free State Agriculture (FSA) to Minister Enoch Godongwana’s 2022 budget…
A Grain, pig and sheep farmer competes for the title of Free State Agriculture’s Young Farmer of the Year this year. Le Roux Erasmus (29 years) from Hoopstad, Hennie Venter (29 years) from Theunissen and Jaco Burger (34 years) from…
With Free State roads becoming increasingly unsurpassable, road repairs and maintenance in the Free State have almost stalled to a halt. According to Francois Wilken, President of Free State Agriculture (FSA), the organisation has repeatedly made requests to the Free…
Emerging farmers in the Phuthaditjhaba area have been ‘handed over’ to stock thieves and receive little or no support from the police. This is the conclusion reached by Free State Agriculture (FSA) and the Red Meat Producers Organization (RPO) during…
“If the government is serious about getting the economy going, they should delete certain provisions of the expropriation bill,” said Francois Wilken, president of Free State Agriculture (FSA). “The Expropriation Bill, in its current format, contains elements that Free State…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) welcomes the National Flood Disaster classification issued 20 January 2022. Although this is not a declaration, dr. Jack Armour, commercial manager of FSA, confirms that a classification does acknowledge the disaster and implements the reprioritisation of…
“It is unacceptable that Eskom’s losses caused by corruption are recovered from paying customers,” said Francois Wilken, President of Free State Agriculture (FSA). The organization’s response follows ESKOM’s request to NERSA to increase electricity costs by 20.5% from 1 April…
With the fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic currently raging in South Africa, many citizens are living with fear and uncertainty about the future. Many have already lost loved ones, while numerous families are worried about their people being hospitalized…
Thanks to large-scale pressure from the community and civil rights organizations, the ANC was unable to change Article 25 of the Constitution this afternoon. Result: 145 MPs voted against the amendment and 204 were in favour. So there was not…
The Free State is in mourning after two farmers were killed in the province within 24 hours. Jakkals le Roux, chairman of Free State Agriculture’s Rural Safety Committee, expressed his sincere condolences to the next of kin of Christian van Tonder (Lindley)…
The Free State province already had 847 reported stock theft cases for the second quarter of 2021 This figure is according to a report compiled jointly by Free State Agriculture (FSA) and the Red Meat Producers Organization (RPO) and follows…
With the festive season approaching and the heavy summer rains predicted, many farmers across the Free State are repairing roads themselves in an effort to keep holidaymakers safe and transport input products to their farms for the planting season. Dr…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) demands from the Minister of Police as well as the Free State Commissioner of Police to investigate farm murders and attacks purposefully, so that the culprits can be brought before the court and successful prosecution can…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) demands from the Minister of Police as well as the Free State Commissioner of Police to investigate farm murders and attacks purposefully, so that the culprits can be brought before the court and successful prosecution can…
“Load shedding during daylight hours can be prevented”, says Francois Wilken, President of Free State Agriculture. “For a country with abundant sunlight and independent power providers (IPPs) queuing up to supply solar and wind energy to the grid, it is…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) will question the way ESKOM is allowed to set unaffordable tariffs at a public hearing with NERSA, the national Energy Regulator, on Friday 5 November. The Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD) pricing methodology will be ending on…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) has expressed its serious concern for the safety of agricultural communities along the Lesotho border, following yet another incident in which three farm workers were injured during a shooting incident. One worker succumbed to his injuries.…
“The role of organized agriculture is not to implement the state or governing party’s political agenda, but to put the interests of their members – the farming and agricultural community, first.” According to Francois Wilken, President of Free State Agriculture…
The Prevention and Combatting of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill could potentially lead to Orwellian inequality, said Francois Wilken, President of Free State Agriculture (FSA). Wilken referred to Orwell’s famous dictum, “All animals are equal, but some animals are…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) and the Red Meat Producers Organization (RPO) would like to thank the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Free State. This follows after 6 people were arrested in the Fouriesburg area on Saturday, October 2,…
The shortcomings currently being detected at Livestock Theft Units (FSU) in the South African Police Service (SAPS) by farming communities in the Free State, are contributing to what can almost be regarded as economic sabotage of the agricultural sector. This…
“Resist corruption, poor service delivery and imminent expropriation of assets by taking control of your immediate environment and circumstances”. This was the message of Francois Wilken, president of Free State Agriculture, to farmers during the organization’s virtual congress in Bloemfontein.…
“We may step on a few toes, but given the time and circumstances in which agriculture finds itself at the moment, it may be necessary.” This is the opinion of Francois Wilken, president of Free State Agriculture (FSA), regarding issues…
In an unexpected turn of events, support for the Expropriation Bill in the Free State seems to have substantially diminished. Public hearings were held from 26-29 August, across the Free State to afford communities the opportunity to participate in the…
The amendment of Section 25 of the Constitution will only add to the woes of South Africa. This was the message to parliament by the more than 107 000 citizens that took part in the Free State Agriculture (FSA)’s public campaign…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) has expressed its concern about the police’s ‘witch hunt’ on members of the public who were trying to protect themselves during the unrest in Kwazulu-Natal and Gauteng. According to Francois Wilken, president of FSA, Police Minister,…
Francois Wilken, president of Free State Agriculture (FSA), says the organization strongly condemns the murders that took place on Saturday, 7 August 2021 on the farm ‘Toekoms’ in the Harrismith area. Mgwenika Twala, an emerging farmer, as well as his…
The highly publicised political impasse between the EFF and ANC over the constitutional amendment to Section 25 should not cause citizens to let their guard down. According to Free State Agriculture (FSA) president, Francois Wilken, it is not uncommon in…
“Self-defence is recognized by all legal systems. Where a choice has to be made between the lives of two or more people, the life of the innocent is given preference over the life of the aggressor. This is consistent with section…
On 12-13 July 2021, 104 235ha of farmland was burned to the ground. According to Dr Jack Armour, Free State Agriculture commercial manager, these fires represent the single biggest fire event recorded in the Free State province. “Official figures released…
The public is once again called upon to comment on the Firearms Control Amendment Act, says Tommie Esterhuyse, vice-president of Free State Agriculture (FSA), after the organisation’s written comments were submitted by e-mail on 21 July 2021. The recent events…
“Property rights are inextricably part of human rights, and no state has the right to alienate people from it.” This is the viewpoint of Free State Agriculture President, Francois Wilken, after the Constitution Eighteenth Amendment Bill, 2021, was published for…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) and the Red Meat Producers Organization (RPO) welcome the arrests by the Hawks carried out on 14 July 2021, where five police officers and two livestock speculators were arrested in Bloemfontein and Ladybrand. The arrests are…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) confirms that farmers and the Fire protection Association structures fought fires throughout the night (12 July 2021) following a day of cold and winds of up to 70km Most of these fires were in the south…
The announcement of level 4 Covid regulations by the government, which include roadblocks around Gauteng that must be manned by amongst others SAPS Safety Coordinators, could possibly lead to a gap in policing in rural areas. Free State Agriculture (FSA)…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) remains weary of the Expropriation Bill as the main policy to drive the expropriation without compensation ideology. This was the reaction of Free State Agriculture after recent reports that the EFF and ANC could not agree…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) notes with care that the two accused in the Brendin Horner murder on 22 June 2021 were successful in granting bail in the Magistrate’s Court in Senekal, in that DNA results indicate that they cannot be…
“When the owner of an asset is deprived of his or her ownership it is nationalisation”. This was the reaction of Free State Agriculture (FSA) president, Francois Wilken, after it came to light that ANC has conceded to the EFF’s…
The contradictory messages from government officials, including the president, about custodianship and nationalization of land create concern. This was the reaction of Free State Agriculture after it was reported that ANC and EFF members of the Ad Hoc Committee for…
“Law-abiding gun owners are not the reason for violent crime, Adv. Shandu.” This is the reaction of Free State Agriculture to Adv. Lungelwa Shandu, chairperson of the Firearms Appeal Board’s statements on the current affairs program Carte Blanche, on Sunday…
“The EFF’s call to place all land under custodianship of the state is nothing other than nationalisation and should be opposed and stopped by all means.” This is the reaction of Free State Agriculture (FSA) on the suggestion that the…
“Our members’ and supporters’ voices will be heard and if requires Free State Agriculture will deliver comments on the Firearms Control Amendment Bill in person.” This was the reaction of the president of Free State Agriculture (FSA), Mr Francois Wilken,…
The proposed amendments to the Firearms Control Act, which were announced in the Government Gazette on Friday, will result in a major disarmament of legal female firearm license owners. This will leave them defenseless to protect themselves and their families.…
“Self-defence is everyone’s right and cannot be restricted by the state.” This was the reaction of Free State Agriculture (FSA) after the newly proposed amendments to the Firearms Control Act were announced in the Government Gazette on Friday evening. The…
7 000 sheep are without grazing after almost 30 000ha were destroyed during a runaway veld fire in the Boshof / Dealesville area yesterday, 20 May. Numerous pieces of livestock and game were also burnt to death. Dr Jack Armour,…
Farmers in the Hertzogville and Boshof area in the Western Free State were over the weekend greeted by a dark cloud of locusts when a large swarm blew over from the Northern Cape. Dr Jack Armour, commercial manager at Free…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) fully supports the national energy regulating body of SA, NERSA’s media statement of 10 May calling all interested stakeholders to join them in opposing the courts review application. We consider that the Court decision in ESKOM’s…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) confirmed that during 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2021, 298 farm attacks, including 37 murders, had already taken place on agricultural land in the Free State. Agricultural communities are under siege by these types of…
The Free State MEC for Police, Roads and Transport, Mr Sam Mashinini, will meet with various role players from Lesotho and South Africa on 28 April to discuss the illegal influx of Lesotho citizens into the Klaarwater area on specific…
Farmers are hoping for another three weeks of grace against the winter cold so that late crops can reach their full potential. Over the past three mornings frost has occurred in the low-lying parts of the Southern Free State already.…
Recently, the Minister of Public Service and Administration, Senzo Mchunu, announced that 35% of the senior civil servants do not have the necessary qualifications. Free State Agriculture (FSA) last week expressed its concern about the state’s inability to govern the…
Hard work, attention to detail and a strong faith are the pillars on which Free State Agriculture’s new Young Farmer of the Year builds his farming business. Doug Osler (39) from the farm Fourieshoek in the Fouriesburg area, was named…
The police task force that was formed after the murder of Brendin Horner in the Bethlehem Control Room’s service area, meets regularly. This task team, which was compiled at the request of organized agriculture as well as the farming community…
The five finalists in the Free State Agriculture’s (FSA) Young Farmer of the Year competition all believe that there is a future for agriculture in South Africa, provided you are willing to work hard and meet the challenges. According to…
The Auditor General has recently confirmed that the Free State Department of Police, Roads & Transport squandered R1.138 Billion, of which R96 million is unauthorised expenditure. (See report here) The poor state of roads in the Free State has been a central…
The 2019/2020 report of the auditor-general shows claims of more than R2bn being instituted against the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development & Land Reform (DARDLR) for the eviction of farmers from their profitable farming enterprises by incompetent officials. This Minister…
An acting police station commander and his accomplice, a previously convicted stock thief, appeared in Frankfort court on 24 March on charges of stock theft. The men were caught red-handed on Monday, 22 March stealing five sheep on the farm…
Parliament will be hearing oral submissions from today from various organisations and individuals regarding the Expropriation Bill. Free State Agriculture will be preparing itself in defense of property rights, the rule of law and healthy economic policies. (See our presentation here). The…
A community that protested for a common cause applied the necessary pressure and bore fruit. Social media is still buzzing about the mere thought that farmers and taxi owners and drivers can stand together, but that is exactly what happened…
Ficksburg community forum, Sechaba sa Ficksburg, have closed all routes through Ficksburg since 06:00 AM on Wednesday, March 17th 2021. They will maintain the closure until they receive a satisfactory response from government to their letter, directed to the Premier of…
Community members from all over the Free State are furious following another car accident on the R103 between Warden and Vrede in which a young teacher and two truck occupants died last Friday. “The government’s arrogant and indifferent attitude can…
Various organisations and bodies from the Ficksburg community gathered on 2 March with one common goal, namely to address the dire state of roads in the area. A letter directed by the meeting to the Premier of the Free State,…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) calls on all South Africans to make their submission on Parliament’s Expropriation Bill that ends this Sunday, 28 February 2021. This is the end of the written submission proses on a policy that, if promulgated as…
“Government takes with both hands and then gives back with just one.” This is Francois Wilken, President of Free States Agriculture’s response to Minister Tito Mboweni’s 2021 budget. Wilken said minimum wages to increase to 16%, ESKOM tariff increases of…
“A safe and conducive environment is necessary for the agricultural sector to flourish in the Free State and South Africa” says Francois Wilken, President of Free State Agriculture (FSA). To date government has failed to provide this conducive environment, choosing…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) today handed to Parliament its official submission on the Expropriation Bill. The document is supported by more than 80 000 individuals across the country who rejects the Expropriation Bill as tabled in its current form. “Although…
“This is nothing more than a repetition of Zimbabwean land policy.” This was the reaction of Free State Agriculture (FSA) after the former Minister of Agriculture, Tina Joemat-Pettersson, announced during the state of the nation address debate on Wednesday that…
Expropriation without compensation (EWC) will not accelerate land reform, land ownership or transformation. EWC simply means more land in the hands of the state. According to Free State Agriculture (FSA), nothing prevents the state from expropriating land from black land…
SONA: Three questions should be posed to Pres. Ramaphosa 1. Why do black farmers not receive title deeds? 2. Why destroy agriculture jobs through the new minimum wage? 3. How can government build new cities if current infrastructure is crumbling?…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) views the coming State of the Nation Address (SONA) as an opportunity for government to realign its policy and objectives with what agriculture and the broader economy requires to rebuild South Africa and create jobs for…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) notes with shock and disappointment the increase in the National Minimum Wage, as published in the Government Gazette on 8 February 2021. “The government’s decision to adjust the National Minimum Wage by 16% comes at a…
Members of the public must clearly understand the two legislative processes currently at play to try to establish a principal that land could be expropriated for nil compensation; namely the Expropriation Bill process and the Draft Constitution 18th Amendment Bill process,…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) has analysed farm attacks and murders for 2020 and will release a full report in March. Comparing 2020 with 2019, the agricultural community is concerned about the rise in attacks and murders. This increase is evident…
Government’s land policy, as tool to increase individual land ownership in South Africa, cannot be taken seriously. This is the view of Free State Agriculture after the recent publication on the Expropriation Bill. According to FSA President, Francois Wilken, the…
Free State Agriculture (FSA) has warned that the Free State province’s road infrastructure is in a dire state. FSA has directed an urgent letter to the Free State Department of Police, Roads and Transport requesting urgent actions to repair roads…
The recent farm murder of Poenkie Bisset from Smithfield brings the number of farm murders in the Free State to ten. The Free State was rocked by 53 farm attacks on agricultural land, which included 9 murders, during April 1…
Die Onteieningswysigingswet is ‘n aanval op elke individuele se eiendomsreg. Hierdie impak is reeds in 2013 deur Jeremy Cronin, voormalige adjunk-minister van Openbare Werke, tydens ‘n debat op die KykNet-program Robinson Regstreeks bevestig. Vrystaat Landbou (VL) het die Vrydag ‘n voorlopige…