By Koketso Mamabolo
In a widely celebrated move, President Ramaphosa has appointed the country’s leading agricultural economist, Wandile Sihlobo, as Presidential Envoy on Agriculture and Land. Bringing with him over a decade of experience in the agricultural sector and academia, Sihlobo’s appointment is a recognition of the need for expertise in addressing the sector’s challenges and unlocking growth opportunities both locally and abroad.
“In this role, Mr Sihlobo will support The Presidency’s priorities and objectives on agriculture, rural development, land reform and international trade. He will work closely with the responsible departments, in pursuit of The Presidency’s priorities,” said the Presidency in a statement over the weekend.
In addition to his work as Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) and member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, Sihlobo is a Senior Lecturer Extraordinary at Stellenbosch University. He is the author of three books including the highly acclaimed A Country of Two Agricultures focuses and has become a go-to voice on policy, land reform, trade, and food security, demystifying current on a regular basis in articles published on various platforms, including Public Sector Leaders.
READ: Wandile Sihlobo on inclusive agriculture
As Presidential Envoy, he will be working with the ministers of agriculture and land reform to address challenges such as inclusion and competitiveness. His work will involve a close relationship with SOEs including the Land Bank, and Onderstepoort Biological Products, which has come firmly into the spotlight amidst the foot-and-mouth disease that has gripped the country’s livestock industry.
Along with knowledge and experience, Wandile brings with him much-needed optimism and sense of responsibility. He has described the South African farming sector as resilient, overcoming various challenges, doubling in size since the dawn of democracy and remaining one of the top agricultural exporters in the world and ensuring food security at the national level.
In addition to animal diseases, he has identified challenges such as service delivery at the local level, shortage of export markets, and a logistics sector which has been a crisis for a few years.
Commenting on the recent State of the Nation Address, Wandile was encouraged by the work being done in the logistics sector and how various stakeholders have come together to help Transnet improve the ports.
Water security and infrastructure are ongoing concerns and it is hoped that the National Water Crisis Committee, which will be chaired by the President, will have the same success as the energy and logistics committees which have been examples of how the public and private sector can work together for the benefit of all.
“The sector holds great potential for growth and job creation, and we have key near-term implementation and actions that we will collectively address,” wrote Wandile, following his appointment. “We will harness private-sector and organised agriculture expertise and collaboration in our work, which is key to boosting inclusive growth.”
