CEO, Grain SA
WHENEVER THE GRAIN SA TEAM APPEARS IN THE MEDIA ALONGSIDE POLITICIANS, WE ARE SURE TO GET COMMENTS – EITHER POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE AND IN MOST INSTANCES BOTH. ENGAGING POLITICAL LEADERS HAS ALWAYS BEEN PART OF AGRICULTURE’S STORY, AS WE DEPEND ON POLITICIANS FOR SOUND POLICIES, TRANSPARENT AND FAIR MARKETS, AND AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT TO BE PROFITABLE AND SUSTAINABLE.
However, in today’s fast-paced political arena, which is louder and more contested than ever, especially in the social media torrent, the way we engage matters as much as the outcomes we seek. To cut through the noise, it is imperative to advocate for the grain producer’s cause with integrity and authenticity. At Grain SA, our approach is guided by values, grounded in facts and evidence and adapted to the fast-changing realities of the digital world.
Jesus precipitated the separation of politics and faith with the words: ‘Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.’ While we respect government authority, our deepest allegiance is to truth, stewardship, and service. Jesus refused to be made a political king, choosing instead to keep His mission distinct from earthly power. That inspires us to remain independent and issue-driven rather than allegiance-driven. We are committed to policies that serve the long-term interests of grain producers’ sustainability and food security. It also reminds us that engagement requires both respect and courage by obeying lawful authority, but standing firm when fairness, free markets, or integrity are at stake.
A trusted voice for grain producers
In today’s policy world, credibility comes from transparency and trust. Grain SA’s role is to be the trusted broker of facts and evidence regarding grain and oilseed production by combining robust economic analysis, producer experience and scientific insight into a voice that policymakers can rely on.
That requires being clear about our positions, documenting our engagements, and working in coalitions with others across the value chain. It also requires refusing the shortcuts of backroom whispers or undue influence. Our strength lies in transparent, principled advocacy where every meeting, every submission, and every recommendation are anchored in evidence and fairness.
Turning risks into opportunities
Advocacy has moved beyond committees and policy papers. Social media and the 24-hour news cycle now shape political decisions, where a single viral post – true or false – can sway debates and erode fragile public trust.
This brings both risks and opportunities. Fake news on food security or grain exports can destabilise markets and sway politicians, sometimes forcing decisions based on public opinion rather than facts. Yet grain producers’ stories are compelling and when told with integrity they resonate strongly with the public.
In this noisy digital environment, our task is to amplify truth, counter misinformation with speed and credibility, and build an authentic voice that reflects the lived experience of South Africa’s grain producers. Advocacy today is as much about shaping narratives as it is about drafting submissions. When leaders acknowledge that Grain SA’s voice carries the trust of grain producers, the media, and the wider public, our advocacy has more weight and influence.
That is why we are investing in transparency and in rapid response systems to debunk misinformation through partnerships with credible platforms that help us tell the story of grain production beyond the policy brief. We monitor and engage in media narratives, anticipate digital storms, and prepare messaging in advance so that false claims about grain production and its producers never go unchallenged.
Shaping the narrative beyond the table
Engaging politicians, therefore, is no longer just about the meeting across the table. It is about shaping the narrative environment that surrounds that meeting. Our credibility is built not only on the data we present in Parliament or in a governmental office but also on how consistently and publicly we live up to the principles of honesty, fairness, and independence.
This balanced approach – rooted in values, disciplined in practice, and agile in the digital world – is how Grain SA will continue to serve our members while engaging leaders. Our independence is our strength, our evidence is our credibility, and our adaptability is our relevance.
At the end of the day, engaging politicians is not about partisanship – we need to get our message across to all stakeholders, whether reputable or disreputable. It is about planting seeds of trust, truth, and transparency in fertile and sometimes very shallow soils. They might ignore our case and cause – that is up to them – but we will most certainly be heard.
