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Salient. Official Newspaper of Victoria University of Wellington Students Association. Vol 40 No. 17. July 18 1977

A South African Miracle ~ Blood into Wine

page 3

A South African Miracle ~ Blood into Wine

Photo of people walking through a field

Black agricultural workers are the least protected and most exploited of all workers in South Africa. They often have to work 12-14 hours a day, 6 or 7 days a week. They have no right to holidays, let alone paid leave or sick leave and no access to medical services except in relation to injuries suffered at work.

Desertion is a criminal offence under the Masters and Servants Act, and disobedience of a "lawful command" may be punished by the farmer by fines, beatings, or withdrawals of "privileges".

An African born in a rural community remains classified as a farm worker, irrespective of the educational qualifications he attains. He cannot register for work in an urban area without the white farmers' written permission.

In 1976, the average cash wage of Africans on South African farms was less than R14/month (R1=$1). Housing conditions and food provided to farm hands is appallingly inadequate. None are worse than the conditions which prevail on the vineyards of the Western Cape, just outside Cape Town.

Here the notorious "tot" system still exists. Coloured workers receive a daily tot of wine as part of their payment for work done. In l972, workers received as little as R10 every third week in cash payment, with the rest of their payment being made up of a wine ration and meagre food rations.

For the children working in these vineyards, the average starting age for work is 10 years, little or no education is received and most are alcoholics before adulthood. Although now illegal, the system still flourishes because of the indifference of the authorities and the difficulties in enforcing law associated with the outlawing of this system.

Another particularly odious form of labour practise which applies to farm labourers and in particular vineyard labourers is the use of convict labour. The use of convict labour on farms is an old South African tradition. By 1957-58, 199,312 convicts were being hired out to farmers annually, at a wage of 9d. per day. There are still 22 prison farms in the country in 1972. The system is that approved farmers are encouraged to form associations of provide the captial to build a farm prison, which must be built to Department specifications and administered by Department staff. Each farmer is allocated a number of prisoners in proportion to his contribution to the building costs. He is responsible for transporting prisoners to and from work and for paying the guards accompanying them, and paying the State 15c per worker per day. It is estimated that the total cost to the farmer including amortisation of captial costs, amounts to no more than 40c per worker per day.

Hence South African farmers have a vested interest in encouraging crime so as to be able to retain cheap supply of labour.

Yet despite the horrific conditions under which black workers have to suffer in the production of South African wine, over $200,000 worth of this product enters New Zealand each year. The wines are distributed through a number of different outlets including liquor wholesalers licensing trust outlets, restaurants, and PSIS (Public Service Investment Society) outlets.

Anti-apartheid supporters in New Zealand have been attempting to reduce the sales of South African wines in this country. Campaigns have been waged over the last 5 years against licensing trusts, PSIS and the Hotel Corporation. There have been successes, the most notable been that involving the Tourist Hotel Corporation when it decided against renewing contracts for further supply of South African wines.

However it may be because of pragmatic reasons that a significant fall off of South Africans wines may result. In 1972, from pressures by New Zealand wine growers, the Commonwealth Tariff Preferences were removed on South African wines, resulting in an increase in taxes payable on South African wines. Importers are also beginning to show reluctance in risking purchase of South African products a.' industrial action threatens to disrupt supply of these products.

Hence South African wines may not be seen very often on the shelves of wine stores in this country in the future. A very small price to pay to prevent pleasure been derived from a product produced by one of the most odious forms of labour practice in the world.