Finding Common Ground: Land, Equity and Agriculture | Wandile Sihlobo | Macmillan Publishers

Agriculture is one of South Africa’s most contested, complex, and consequential sectors — and one of its greatest untapped opportunities. In Finding Common Ground: Land, Equity and Agriculture, Wandile Sihlobo offers a well-rounded, accessible, and deeply informed view of agriculture in South Africa: its challenges and opportunities, and most importantly, the vital role it can play in improving the country’s rural economy, creating jobs, and bringing about much-needed transformation and inclusive growth.

A selection of key articles from Sihlobo’s widely read Business Day column, framed with insightful commentary and context, Finding Common Ground covers the broad themes that have defined current discussions around South African agriculture — from land reform and equity, to rural development, food security, and the future of the sector.

About the Author

Wandile Sihlobo is perfectly positioned to provide this perspective. He spent his school holidays in the rural Eastern Cape, studied agricultural economics at university, has worked in private-sector agriculture, consulted with farmers across the country, and has served as an adviser to government as part of South African policymaking bodies. His Business Day column is one of the most authoritative and widely followed sources of agricultural analysis in South Africa.

Key Themes

• Land reform and equity — a nuanced and evidence-based examination of land reform in South Africa — its history, its current challenges, and the paths forward that can deliver genuine equity without undermining agricultural productivity
• Rural economy and job creation — the transformative potential of agriculture as a driver of rural economic development and employment, particularly for South Africa’s most marginalised communities
• Inclusive growth and transformation — how the agricultural sector can become more inclusive, and what policy, investment, and structural changes are needed to make transformation a reality
• Food security and agricultural productivity — the challenges and opportunities facing South African agriculture in meeting the country’s food security needs while remaining globally competitive
• Policy and practice — insights from Sihlobo’s experience at the intersection of private-sector agriculture, farmer engagement, and government policymaking

Author: Wandile Sihlobo
Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
Format: Print
Genre: Non-Fiction / South African Agriculture / Economics / Land Reform
ISBN: 9781770107168