At the break of dawn in De Doorns, a small town nestled in the Western Cape’s picturesque Winelands district, hundreds of women farmworkers wait for cattle trucks to take them to farms in desperate search of daily work.
Packed into these trucks, which are typically reserved for livestock, the workers face an ongoing challenge. Despite the National Road Traffic Act, which prohibits passengers from riding in the back of open trucks without safety measures, these women must endure unsafe travel conditions.
As Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana prepares to address the nation about fiscal spending, the real cost of feeding South Africa’s population falls on these often unseen farmworkers, who are demanding a place at the table and a share in the wealth they help generate.
A Call for Fair Pay: Women Demand Better Wages
Despite legislative efforts to protect farmworkers, including the introduction of a minimum wage and expanded labour rights, women working in agriculture say more must be done.
Dina Ndleleleni, a retired farmworker, reflects on the desperate circumstances that trap many women in what she describes as “modern-day slavery.” “Slavery time is gone. Enough is enough!” she passionately declares, highlighting the gap between the work done and the wages paid.
At just R28.79 per hour, women farmworkers argue that the minimum wage falls far short of supporting a family. One unnamed woman echoes this sentiment, explaining, “We don’t even make it past a week with that money.” For many, this lack of financial security makes it nearly impossible to survive, let alone thrive.
Addressing the Root Causes: Gender Inequality and Abuse
Women farmworkers face an array of systemic challenges that go beyond low pay. A study from the Commission for Gender Equality reveals that these women are often excluded from decision-making processes related to land and labour policies, leaving them vulnerable to various forms of abuse and exploitation.
Ashmica Louw, a 25-year-old farmworker, describes the humiliating conditions women endure: “There are no toilets, so we do our business between the flowers.”
The lack of clean water and basic sanitation, particularly during menstruation, adds to the indignities faced by female workers. Furthermore, many women are too afraid to speak out about their mistreatment due to the fear of losing their jobs.
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The non-profit organization Women on Farms Project (WFP) highlights the intersectional challenges faced by women in the agricultural sector.
Despite advancements in legislation, the deeply ingrained patriarchal systems and precarious work conditions continue to prevent women from accessing permanent contracts, housing rights, and other benefits that male workers often take for granted.
Land and Housing Reform: The Path to Independence
A key issue raised by the Women on Farms Project is the link between employment and housing contracts, which are often tied to male partners. This structure leaves women vulnerable to eviction and increases their exposure to gender-based violence.
Penelope Snyman*, a long-time farmworker, shares her personal story of living in fear of her abusive husband, whose name is on the housing contract. “I must do as he says because I found him here. My life has been hell,” Snyman reveals, underscoring the emotional and physical toll of this power imbalance.
To break the cycle of dependence and abuse, the WFP calls for comprehensive land reform and redistribution.
Carmen Louw, co-director of the organization, argues that if women had land and housing in their own right, they could achieve financial independence and stand up for themselves. “It will be easier to challenge and stand up for themselves,” Louw asserts.
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