BLOEMFONTEIN July 17 Sapa

Farmers want stronger voice in Free State rural councils

The Free State Agricultural Union said on Monday it was opposed
to the composition of rural local councils being made up of 60
percent of proportionately elected members and 40 percent nominated
members.

Union executive member Gerrie Greyling said a decision on the
composition of the councils should be made at provincial level and
not enforced by a proclamation of the national government.

Greyling said it was believed in the Free State that the 60:40
ratio could create conflict.

A 50:50 ratio of land users and non-land users would be a
better basis for stable government in the Free State.

Greyling said a system that could work in the Western Cape
might not be workable in the Free State or another province.

The union based its argument on the ownership of land in rural
areas, where farmers were the major contributors to the economy and
the largest income generators.

Special attention had to be given to rural areas, as they had
been the most neglected under the central government and had no
representation at provincial level.

The 50:50 model gave better capacity-building opportunities.

Rural councils did not have sufficient capacity to generate
funds. Greyling said they could, within their financial
limitations, provide essential services in their areas.