“Yes, South Africa is a food independent country.
But what is the use producing food when our people, (who now have no income), CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY THAT FOOD?
If we fail to consider the immideat consequences hereof, it will bankrupt our farmers.
And it won’t take long!”

During these unprecedented times, around the world, and in my home country South Africa,

While simple citizens are paying it forward on the tills at the supermarkets, while people and organisations are joining hands to alleviate suffering:

Has anyone seen ANY bank come forward?

If you, like me, have not heard or seen ANY BANK REACH OUT to our people, our society,

then we need to understand the message:

THEY COULDN’T CARE LESS! ALL THAT COUNTS IS SHAREHOLDERS AND PROFIT.

Therefore:

As a society, as the people of South Africa and anywhere else: Our responsibility does not lay with our financial commitments to the banks!

OUR SOLE RESPONSIBILITY LAYS WITH OUR PEOPLE!

DURING THIS LOCKDOWN, and whatever comes next:

OUR ONLY ONLY RESPONSIBILITY AS THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA, is to make sure that our families, our beloved ones, our neighbours, AND OUR COMMUNITIES (!) get access to  FOOD AND NECESSITIES!

Yes, South Africa is a food independent country, but what is the use of food getting WASTED because our people, (who now have no income), CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY THAT FOOD?

OUR FARMERS ARE ABLE TO PRODUCE ALL WE NEED, BUT IF WE DO NOT WANT OUR FOOD CHAIN TO COLLAPSE, THEN WE WILL NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE CAN ACCESS THAT FOOD.

If we do not act upon this URGENTLY, and the food rots away (because our people cannot afford it),

IT WILL TAKE OUT OUR FARMERS VERY QUICKLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THIS IS A CRITICAL ISSUE! 

IN OTHER WORDS:

MONEY NEEDS TO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR FOOD AND NECESSITIES FOR ALL.

IF NOT, THE FOOD CHAIN/NECESSITY PRODUCTION  WILL COLLAPSE, TAKING ALL OUR FARMERS, AND MANY MANUFACTURERS OF CRITICAL NECESITIES OUT!

THE BANKS NEED TO STAND UP!

THE SUPERMARKETS NEED TO STAND UP!

THOSE OF US WHO CAN, NEED TO STAND UP!

NOT TOMORROW, NOT NEXT WEEK,

NOW!

Edwin Spiessens