South Africa 'unexpectedly' slides into recession as agricultural production plummets

American Thinker ^ | 09/05/2018 | Thomas Lifson

[SeekAndFind]

Gee, who could have possibly anticipated that threatening to steal (that is, expropriate without compensation) land from farmers who have worked it for generations would cause farmers to cut back on planting?  Thus, we have Bloomberg telling us, "South Africa's economy unexpectedly shrank for the second consecutive quarter in the three months through June." 

The recession, based on a second-quarter decline in GDP of 0.8%, is entirely due to a steep decline in agricultural production: "the agriculture market fell back by 29.2 per cent, taking 0.8 per cent off GDP."

This was entirely predictable.  Half a year ago, I warned that with expropriation of white farmers, South Africa is embarking on a course headed toward disaster:

The former Rhodesia turned itself from the breadbasket of Africa, a major exporter of staple grains, into a country on the perpetual verge of mass starvation by expropriating and often murdering white farmers and giving land to cronies of President Mugabe, who were not capable of stewardship.  The same thing happened to other elements of the economy as well, all based in getting even for racial grievances of the past.

Venetia Joubert Sarah Oosterveld photographed the results of Zimbabwe's land reform and descent into socialism and wrote in 2009:

Crops are falling and there is a drought coming very soon. 33% of the population of Zimbabwe has AIDS.

There is no indication that this first step toward poverty will change any minds in South Africa.  Much as in Venezuela, we must watch in sadness as the fantasy economics of the left destroys wealth in the name of social justice and a nation ends up in starvation and poverty.

[17th Miss Regt]

But why? How is this possible?

[BenLurkin]

Birth control, preferably in the form of mass sterilizations the humane thing to do for every “developing” nation.

It will give those lands the best shot at eradicating poverty and hunger.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: But why? How is this possible?

Expropriation of white owned farms.

Try to expropriate ANY private property and see what happens to your economy...

[WKUHilltopper]

Maybe the Clinton’s will come in and save these murdering racist fools?

[treetopsandroofs]

The “Obama Effect” has migrated to Africa.

[blam]

I remember when they took the White farms in Zimbabwe...they scrapped the irrigation pipes and associated equipment for quick dollars. You can't farm that land without irrigation.

Woudn't surprise me to learn that the American taxpayers are feeding them now.

[Moonman62]

The former Rhodesia turned itself from the breadbasket of Africa, a major exporter of staple grains, into a country on the perpetual verge of mass starvation by expropriating and often murdering white farmers and giving land to cronies of President Mugabe, who were not capable of stewardship.

...

And a result was hyperinflation.

Economic contraction causes inflation, which is the exact opposite of what the Federal Reserve and the Fake News has been telling us for decades.

Price controls cause inflation for the same reason, they reduce economic output.

[grobdriver]

All they need to do is take their farms and then make whitey their slaves, and make them produce food.

That'll work!

[PGR88]

Birth control, preferably in the form of mass sterilizations the humane thing to do for every “developing” nation.

No Christian or Conservative should support such a thing. What they need are real property rights. The education of women also has a direct effect on birth rates. Unfortunately, both come from deeply-held cultural attributes about how a society views wealth, individual rights, and the role of women. I doubt Africa will achieve it.

[aquila48]

Bookmark

[Uncle Miltie]

“Unexpectedly” = DRINK!

[Moonman62]

Historical evidence suggests that reducing infant and child mortality stabilizes populations.

When parents lose a child they are likely to have many more as replacements.

[BenLurkin]

I’m not saying forced sterilizations. Simply offer to pay $1,000 to every recipient, and provide free operations.

There’s nothing unchristian or un-conservative about that.

[Buckeye McFrog]

all based in getting even for racial grievances of the past.

"The oppressed person does not yearn for freedom. He yearns to feel his bootheel against the throat of the oppressor."

- Maya Angelou (*about the only useful thing she ever said)

[lurk]

Collectivists are unable to see correlations between decisions and consequences.

[Lurkinanloomin]

Zimbabwe here we come!

[Ben Ficklin]

In the broadest sense you start with the European Scramble for Africa and Colonization, followed by decolonization.

Then, fill in the blanks and details of the period

[GOPJ]

...no indication that this first step toward poverty will change any minds in South Africa. Much as in Venezuela, we must watch in sadness as the fantasy economics of the left destroys wealth in the name of social justice and a nation ends up in starvation and poverty.

NOT ONE AMERICAN DIME OR GRAIN OF WHEAT FOR THESE PEOPLE. THEY MADE THEIR BED... LET THEM SLEEP IN IT.

[gibsonguy]

“unexpectedly”

MSM is one deluded bunch. What would be Unexpected would be if thier economy didn’t collapse “, sheesh.