Interpol rates the occupation as a farmer in South Africa as the “most dangerous job in the world!”
The South African farming community has suffered from attacks for many years. The majority of the victims have been Afrikaner farmers, with claims of death tolls of up to 3,000 cited in the national and international media.
The South African government has been criticised both for not doing more to prevent farm attacks, and for giving the issue a disproportionate amount of attention.
In March 2010, at a rally on a university campus, president of the African National Congress Youth League, Julius Malema sang the lyrics "shoot the boer" ("Boer" is the Afrikaans word for "farmer", but is also used as a derogatory term for Afrikaners).
On 12 September 2011, Judge Lamont ruled that the singing of the words 'shoot the boer' amounts to hate speech. He also declared the singing of the song in any capacity to be illegal stating that he finds no possible justifications for singing the song. The ANC (government) has announced that they will appeal the ruling.
Well done Paula on this capture, a true South African sighting. It is just a pity the South African farmers have to life in such conditions. Also knowing that they are planning to take away such land without any compensation is just sad!
I can feel the tensions of this issue even in your words. And so tragic that the farmers are caught in the middle with seemingly no one to help them. This is a beautiful photo- quite idyllic in spite of the turmoil that the farmer must deal with from day to day.
I work with a lady whose son has recently married a South African girl and who live in Johannesburg. I know she came back with some scary stories about the safety and security of life in South Africa - which makes me really sad. I have faved this photo - it is fabulous.
That is really senseless to kill the farmers who grow the food which they eat, it just amounts to hate, which is so sad......i love the colours in this shot Paula.
Very interesting background information, Paula. Thanks for sharing! Such a sad story but a wonderful photo though! The colours and the composition are fantastic!
Lovely photo... living so near South Africa I know all about this... My parents farm in Zambia and over the last twenty years so many South African and more recently Zimbabwean farmers have moved to Zambia to start their lives again doing what they love, farming... I hope Zambia always keeps them safe.
This is such a wonderful photo, beautifully presented & your information on the plight of the ' Boer '' is so interesting. We follow closely the news on the taking over of these farms & feel so sorry for the farmers involved being put off their land after years of love & work.
Thanks for the follow!