Wandile Sihlobo | #UnrestSA: How business can help farmers repair the damage

With the current fiscal constraints, the rebuilding process will likely have to be led by private sector players as the state has limited financial muscle to do so. And this is where the challenge begins, says Wandile Sihlobo. 

We are yet to fully understand the impact and financial costs of the devastation from the recent incidents of unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng in the agricultural sector.

At a high level, it appears that primary agriculture was broadly insulated from direct damage. Still, the disruptions in various sugar mills, bakeries, eggs, businesses, and milling facilities, among others, impact primary agriculture by disrupting supply chains and slowing demand from these establishments.