South Africa’s commercial farming sector is still shaped by the legacy of slavery, colonialism and apartheid. Black South Africans make up more than 80% of the population. But most commercial farms are still owned by a relatively small number of white farmers.
During apartheid, Black farmers were prevented by discriminatory land and water laws from owning productive farmland. They were also cut off from accessing irrigation water or taking part in commercial agricultural markets. Many Black communities were forced into overcrowded areas known as Bantustans, with poor infrastructure and few opportunities to build successful farming businesses.
