Job losses at tea estate a failed example of ANC’s land reform policy

The loss of jobs at Sapekoe comes at a tough time for the Limpopo job market, following on the heels of Bokoni Platinum Mine announcing the retrenchment of more than 2 000 workers due to company restructuring.

Over 2 000 jobs were lost at Makgoba Tea Estate, (previously known as Sapekoe Tea Estate) near Tzaneen in what some claim was a failed example of the ANC’s land reform policy.

In its heyday, the tea state employed 3 000 workers and formed part of a block purchase by government for R104 million in 2006 as part of the land restitution programme, benefitting over 600 families.

The loss of jobs at Sapekoe comes at a tough time for the Limpopo job market, following on the heels of Bokoni Platinum Mine announcing the retrenchment of more than 2 000 workers due to company restructuring.

During a visit to the estate this week, CV discovered yielding tea bushes that had been left to grow up to 3 metres high; the agricultural infrastructure had been stripped and removed from the property and opportunities to create employment looked bleak as planned projects had come to little.

A former worker, Emma Moloto is a mother of five who has three grandchildren.

She said she used to depend on her monthly salary of R1 800 for their livelihood, and even then, she was living below the poverty breadline.

“We are living from hand to mouth. Some of my children have even resorted to staying with their boyfriends as I am unable to provide for them,” she said.


more on capricornreview.co.za