Mon séjour en Afrique du Sud (Cape Town)

President Thabo Mbeki began his three-day visit to the North West this morning by assuring farmers and farm-workers of government's commitment to eradicating violent crimes on farms.

During his state of the nation address early this year, President Mbeki stated that: 'Measures will be taken to ensure that the structures meant to support the security agencies, such as the SANDF Commandos and police reservists are properly regulated to ...ensure security for all in the rural areas including the farmers...'

President Mbeki was speaking during his visit to Basha-Balemirui farm near Lichtenburg in North West today.

The farm breeds cattle and produces crops and was jointly initiated by the land affairs department, the National Youth Commission and was financed by the Land Bank.

It is one of four farms in the country that are independently owned by young people venturing into the farming sector.

The young farmers and representatives of Agri-SA, a union representing the majority of white farmers in the country, as well as the National African Farmers Union, attended the event.

The President said government was seriously concerned about safety and progress of both emerging and seasoned farmers.

He said the sector, which has a direct working relation with government through the presidential agricultural working group, was crucial to the country's economy and the well being of the nation.

The President praised the youth farm as a significant step forward in bringing young people in to mainstream farming.

He however called on role players to continue throwing their support behind such projects.

'We should respond to the development and success of this project with the necessary enthusiasm and sustained commitment. If we succeed here it will open up space for us to do other things elsewhere,' he said.

The president is currently visiting a housing project at Mokgola near Zeerust. He will also attend an Imbizo in Montsiua in Mafikeng. The Imbizo will culminate in a Freedom Day celebration rally in Orkney on Sunday.