Sugarcane farmers have warned that the possible collapse of Tongaat Hulett could lead to large-scale job losses, deepen rural poverty, and increase South Africa’s dependence on imported sugar, Farmer’s Weekly reported.
Ahead of the company’s provisional liquidation hearing scheduled for 27 February, letters were sent to President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ministers responsible for finance; trade, industry and competition; agriculture; and public works and infrastructure.
Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Dr Thomas Funke, CEO of the South African Canegrowers Association, said an unfunded liquidation would have immediate and serious consequences. He said Tongaat Hulett’s three…