The once bountiful fields of South Africa’s vegetable farmers are withering under the shadow of protectionist policies in neighbouring Botswana and Namibia. These two countries have erected a virtual green wall, barring South African produce from their markets, a move that is wreaking havoc on the country’s agricultural sector.
The decision by Gaborone and Windhoek to shutter their borders to South African vegetables, ostensibly to protect their nascent farming industries, has sparked outrage among local producers. “This is economic sabotage,” fumed Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz). “It’s a blatant disregard for the spirit of the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu), and it’s hurting ordinary South Africans.”
Botswana, in particular, has been resolute in its stance. President Mokgweetsi Masisi has publicly backed the ban, arguing that it’s a necessary step to bolster local food security. “We need to support our farmers,” he declared on social media, igniting a firestorm of criticism.
The impact on South Africa’s vegetable industry has been devastating. Exports to the region have plummeted, leaving farmers reeling and thousands of jobs hanging in the balance. Thabile Nkunjana, senior economist at the National Agricultural Marketing Council, paints a bleak picture. “The decline in vegetable exports has been catastrophic. We’re talking about millions of rands lost and livelihoods shattered.”
While Botswana and Namibia bask in the glow of their protectionist policies, South African farmers are left to count the costs. The irony is not lost on many: these two countries are net importers of food, relying heavily on South Africa to fill their shelves.
The standoff has exposed the fragility of regional economic integration and raised questions about the effectiveness of Sacu. As the two countries dig in their heels, the pressure is mounting on South Africa to find a way to break the impasse. The stakes are high, not only for the agricultural sector but for the broader economy and regional relations.
