Hon Speaker, hon Ministers, hon members, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.
The issue of land reform and agriculture cuts right to the heart of South Africa's consciousness. It speaks to us on an emotional level like few other topics, because agriculture and land reform are linked to the earth, and we, the children of Africa, have a very strong and deep connection to this African soil we call home.
Land reform implemented successfully has the potential to bring us together as one nation. But land reform implemented without wisdom and a clear future vision has the potential to lock us into the past, where we will be governed by discontent, distrust and a divided society, with no hope for a better future.
Our agricultural sector has the potential to create 1 million jobs according to the National Development Plan. Agriculture has the potential to lift people out of poverty and create prosperity, while at the same time to ensure our national food security. But with the wrong policies, weak implementation, and negative leadership, we stand to lose jobs, face a future of food insecurity, and we will see our rural towns and economies wither away.
It is against this background that we wish newly appointed Minister Zokwana ... [Interjections.]