A 58-year-old woman, Roos van Niekerk, is facing eviction from the farm where she has lived since she was nine years old. Van Niekerk, from Dwars-in-die-Weg Pass, stopped working on the farm due to health problems and now faces eviction as she is no longer considered a farm worker. Her situation has drawn attention to the plight of farm workers and dwellers in South Africa.
Farm workers and dwellers, led by organisations including Women on Farms Project, marched to Parliament on Thursday, 8 October 2026, to demand assistance with housing needs. Among their demands is for the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to make unused public land available to help address the housing needs of farm worker families facing eviction.
Van Niekerk expressed her distress about facing eviction at her age, saying it has been difficult to cope with the situation. She has lived on the farm for most of her life, working there until her health problems forced her to stop. Her story highlights the challenges faced by farm workers who have lived on farms for years but are no longer considered employees.
The march to Parliament was part of a broader effort to bring attention to the issue of farm worker evictions. The Women on Farms Project and other organisations are advocating for the rights of farm workers and dwellers to secure housing. They argue that the government has a responsibility to provide assistance to those facing eviction.
Van Niekerk's situation is further complicated by the fact that the municipality has available land that could be used for housing, but it is not being made available to her and other farm workers. This has led to accusations that the municipality is not doing enough to support farm workers facing eviction.
The issue of farm worker evictions has sparked a wider debate about land reform and housing in South Africa. Advocates for farm workers argue that the government needs to do more to support those who have lived and worked on farms for years but are now facing eviction. The government has been urged to provide assistance to farm workers and dwellers to help them secure alternative housing.
The eviction of farm workers has significant implications for the communities affected. Many farm workers have lived on farms for generations and are facing significant challenges in finding alternative housing. The government and other stakeholders will need to work together to find a solution to this complex issue.
Key points
- A 58-year-old woman faces eviction from a farm in South Africa where she has lived since childhood.
- Farm workers and dwellers are demanding assistance with housing needs from the government.
- The issue of farm worker evictions has sparked a wider debate about land reform and housing in South Africa.
