Solms Delta Farm in Franschoek is an amazing farm that is steeped in layers of history of people on the farm dating back 6000 years. The really amazing thing is that this history is alive in archaeological artefacts, in the stories and the people on the farm. It’s a farm that has honestly embraced its painful history of slavery, colonisation, land-grabbing and apartheid and turned this into a celebration of real truth and reconciliation, land reform, economic upliftment and building a shared future for all on the farm. Soms Delta may be a model for the country. The human relations on the farm is particularly fascinating and shows what beauty and opportunities flow if social justice is the cornerstone of reconciliation; it shows clearly we all- black, white, Khoisan and everyone in-between- can overcome our past history and live with each other in real peace. The farm offers a hopeful narrative where if white people honestly evaluate and proactively correct past injustices and develop a shared inclusive future together with others, today’s illusion of ‘peace’ (where inequities and privilege has to be maintained by police, electric fences and guard dogs), can be reversed into real peace and prosperity for all. Mark Solms, the co-owner of Soms Delta, describes the situation of white farmers in Franschoek who live in a “sea of misery” in this way: “they are paranoid. They know the shit is going to hit the fan, they just hoping it’s going to be next door”. This does not only apply to white farmers in rural South Africa but for all white people and for the new black diamonds who live in a bubble of white privilege in cities and suburbs everywhere. Solms Delta is worth a visit to get a glimpse into a future that is possible…
Posted on: Sat, 13 Dec 2014 14:35:03 +0000
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