Understanding the legacy of dependency and powerlessness experienced by farm workers on wine farms in the Western Cape

[摘要] This research investigates the powerlessness and dependency on wine farms inthe Western Cape from the viewpoint of an understanding the lived experience offarm labourers and the high incidence of habitual drinking, violence and othersocial phenomena.The first farm labourers in the Western Cape were Slaves. When Slavery wasabolished in 1834, Cape Slaves were freed but not compensated and so remainedon farms, working as labourers, and powerless and dependent.After slavery had been abolished, the relationship between landowner andlabourer evolved into a paternalistic relationship where the labourer was tied to aparticular farm through housing, debt ,economic impoverishment and politicalmarginalisation.Over the last few decades constitutional and political developments have resultedin changes to labour laws and working conditions on farms. Change has filtereddown to the level of labourer at different rates in different areas. By and large, whileworking conditions may have improved, many labourers remain dependent andpowerless to become masters of their own destiny. They remain unable to breakfree of the legacy of Slavery.Slavery is not the only legacy that casts a shadow over farm labourers. Theinfamous Tot System, initiated by Jan van Riebeeck and continuing late into thetwentieth century, has enslaved many labourers in a cycle of habitual drinking,social violence and poverty. Habitual drinking has become the norm on farms, aweekend ritual that few labourers manage to escape.The purpose of this research is to broaden the field of knowledge for practitionersand organisations dealing with substance abuse and other social problems onfarms. One particular farm is used as a sample of farm life. The farm in question has achildren's programme (crèche and after–school). There have also been severalattempts over the last five years at social development and income–generationprojects aimed at empowering adults on the farm. The experience of the farmmanagement when attempting to introduce and establish these projects has beenan overwhelming sense of immobilisation and apathy from the labourers.The empirical research used a qualitative method to examine (by means of semistructured interviews and questionnaires) themes of hopelessness, dependencyand powerlessness. The meaning and particular pattern of habitual drinking onfarms was also explored through interviews and questionnaires.There is evidence that habitual drinking continues on wine farms, generation aftergeneration. It has become a legitimate way of life, a ritual so entrenched, that thecommunity cannot imagine life any other way. To not drink is to place oneself in theposition of outsider, opening oneself up to ridicule, disdain and verbal abuse.Individuals who do give up drinking do so as a result of an external threat ratherthan a conscious choice to change the course of their lives.Furthermore, this study found that farm labourers consistently surrenderresponsibility for their children, their homes their behaviour, while they cling to theremnants of paternalism, avoiding at all costs becoming masters of their owndestinies.This study indicates that the abolishment of the tot system has not significantlyreduced the incidence of habitual excessive drinking. Whilst achieving sobriety is akey intervention in achieving social harmony, in isolation, the outlook for sustainedsuccess is poor.Working for change on wine farms is not the exclusive domain of any one roleplayer. In any geographical area a partnership between farming communities isneeded to address labourers' needs, and gaps and overlaps in service delivery. Acomprehensive plan should be formulated by all role players with theempowerment of workers as the key outcome. Concerning social and domestic violence, a zero tolerance of abuse and violenceneeds to be taken by farm management and implemented, making use oflegislation and law enforcement agencies.Early childhood development, educational enrichment and primary health carefacilities are essential services on farms and should be staffed by qualifiedprofessionals dedicated to the upliftment and empowerment of farmingcommunities.Finally there remains a need for further research into accessible, appropriate andsustainable intervention strategies on farms that empower labourers and break thecycles of habitual excessive drinking, social violence and hopelessness on farms.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University