M . Chairman , and members of this meeting, I thank
you for giving me£ the honour of opening this show of
yours.
I wish to congratulate the show committee for
organising such a good show. I KSX&XH.M can ussure you
that this show is one of the best I had so far attended.
I also wish to congratulate the prize-winners. The
aim in attending and exhibiting on a show must however
not mainly be to win prizes. All those, who entertain
such wrong notions, become disappointed and discouraged
when they failed to win prizes. The result is that they
refuse to attend further shows. In fact, when they
loose they should know that their standard of farming
and method of doing things are not correct. They
should seek the advise of the Agricultural officers
and try to improve the articles they are exhibiting.
In my opinion the chief value of an
Agricultural show, is an educational one. It is one
of the means by which advancement in Agriculture,
pastoral and industrial methods can be assisted. The
exhibits serve to demonstrate the results of better
methods of cultivating arable lands and the endeavours
of the progressive element amongst the Bantu people
to improve the quality of their livestock, home cooking
nad home methods.
I have noticed some very fine produce
exhibited on this show. It surely indicates better
methods of farming.
-o? -
It is very important that the Bantu should ttoke
a bigger part in organizing their shows. It is the
view of the department of Native "ffairs that the
Bantu should hejip himself^. I am pleased to note from
correspondence that so many of the
Bantu
people are serving on this show committee. But as far
funds are concerned the Bantu people of this area
owes a great defct of gratitude to the Europeans who
so willingly contributed towards the showfunds.
The Bantu people would appreciated the show much more
if they themselves have contributed towards the funds.
A good example of selfhelp in regard to shows , is a
show that was recently held at Thaba Nchu in the
Free state. This show was entirely organised and finance
by the Bantu Authorities. That show has proved to the
country that the Bantu can organise their Agricultural
shows succesffully.
Anything obtained for nothing is never fully
appreciated.
The Hon Dr. Verwoerd Minister of Native
Affairs,
in explaining the Government’s Bantu policy
of self activity or personal initiative m^de reference
to a story , which he explained to the Basutos of
Witzieshoek, as follows. There were two old fathers
whose stock were always threatened by lipns . One of the
old fathers called his sor s and showed them the lions,
and told them that hhey must make a plan to protect
the stock, from the H o n s . He showed them that they
were dependent an their Staek for their livelihood,
and that they should built a strong kraal to put the
stock in at night. They followed his adviee and helped hi
him to cert stones and poles to make the kraal. They
were however not always obedient end times grumbled
over the worSk.One night the lions killed more cattle.
The old man called his sons again and showed them the dam.
damage done by the lions. They then worked hard and fast
and built a strong kraal. Their stocky
as safe and they
progressed.
The other old father did not show his sons
the lions, nor did he ask them to helg him build a kraal,
but did the word alone, while his sons set in the sun.
One day the sons went out hunting and came across stones
and poles which the old man gathered with great difficulty
to build the kraal. They dsid to each o+-her: What stones
and poles are these lying in our way. They^ took the
stones and the poles and dragged them far out of the
.way. The kraal could not be builfl end the lions ravaged
the stock merrilessly.
The lions ere the dangers of wrong methods
of farming, which resulted in soil erosion and the
stock is the ground which is threatened by b£l kinds
of dangers. First the state did everything to protect the
soil yty/ without the sons)- the Bantu- realsing why it
is being done. The Bantu despised and even destroyed
the attemps made by the state to protect the soil.
That is why the Governemnt now wants to act as the first
old father, by making the Bantu aware of the dangers
and wsnts them to combat them, so that they can protect
the soil, as the str ng krasl protected the cattle.
SOil or land protection cannot be over emphasised
.
The land is the very basis of our existence. It is
also the resting place,of our dear ones- the haunts
of i?ur forefathers. It is something sacred to us. It is
U
something entrusted to us for use and we abuse this
privilege only we will suffer.
Much concern is being expressed today about the
deplorable eondition of many of the Bantu eress due
to overgrazing , wrong methods of cultivation and
uncontrolled burning of grast;.
There were fertile areas which are today grim
desolate deserts denuded of trees and grass.
One or more of your children will probably carry
on your worft as a farmer and it is likely also that the
old land will remain in the family. In any case the fufcu
re of your children depends on the way you treat the
soil. Attend and take part in shows. Learn from
prize-winners and Agricultural officer better methods
of farming. By doing this, you would ensure that
your land i$ not wastefully used, that your grazing
is not ruined and the quality of your stock is improved.
You have only the two alternatives before you. Either
to be inert and leave things as they are with appelling
conditions which will come about in course of time,
_and the ruination of your beautiful country, or
to bestir yourselves and, cooperate with the Dept.
Of lifetvie Affairs whidh is willing, to assist you
to improve your country and bring better 6 conditions
Collection Number: A922
Allison Wessels George CHAMPION Papers, 1925-1959
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Publisher:- Historical Papers Research Archive
Location:- Johannesburg
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