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In January 2016, she was invited to Puebla in Mexico, to participate in
the International Congress of Territorial Inequity and Development.
As deputy director-general, her focus was mainly on rural infra-
structure development. She was also given the opportunity to
manage many of the strategic programmes, like the Agri-parks
programme. The portfolio of DG is however one which entails the
whole spectrum of the department and deals with various issues
amongst which are land redistribution and development, land resti-
tution, land tenure, labour issues and rural development.
Archary believes the fact that she came through the ranks, from the
lowest level up to her position as acting DG, has given her the nec-
essary communication skills for this position – to be able to inter-
act with everyone from farm dwellers to the private sector. Other
expertise she brings to the table are her vast knowledge of land re-
form, her understanding of the complete sector and that she has
had exposure to high level strategic challenges that face the country
and her leadership qualities.
Sharing experience and passion
This acting DG sees the strategic partnership with Grain SA as a
long-term one. As government, they understand clearly that the
transformation process they want to realise, cannot materialise with
government’s actions alone. The pursuance of public/private part-
nerships with key stakeholders is of utmost importance.
‘It is essential to partner with an organisation like Grain SA, who has
a lot to offer. They have the necessary expertise since they have
been involved in this field for numerous years,’ she adds. ‘Grain SA
has built rapport with producers over the years which can carry us
a long way. The fact that they have already paid the school fees and
know which are viable solutions to implement, also make them a
valuable partner.’
Archary adds that the passion Grain SA has for changing the space
of agriculture is clear. ‘We live in a country where we have to allow
transformation to happen if we are to progress and we are depend-
ent on one another to make sure that it does.’
The kind of partners with whom she wants to share her vision are
people who have the passion one sees when Mr Jannie de Villiers
(CEO: Grain SA) and Ms Jane McPherson (programme manager:
Farmer Development, Grain SA) speak about agricultural develop-
ment. She believes it was this passion that led them to apply to the
Jobs Fund, where this valuable partnership was formed.
All the programmes introduced by this department have partner-
ships at the core of what they want to do and achieve.
‘If we try and do it as government alone less people will benefit.
If we do it together and partners understand the common ground
that they are working from, I am certain that we will make a huge
difference in the country. Land reform does not always have to be
a controversial issue – we are working together to build a better fu-
ture for our children.’
DRDLR projects and agricultural issues
The DRDLR has a critical role to play in resolving the triple challen-
ge of the economic cluster faced by South Africa: Poverty, unem-
ployment and inequality. Several projects have been launched to
address these issues.
According to Archary the issue of inequality is directly addressed
with the land reform programme. One of the key priorities that will
be addressed in the short term is the 50/50 policy framework to
strengthen the relative rights of people working on the farms.
‘We have had some very good proposals submitted to the depart-
ment and we believe that through these the programme can be suc-
cessful. Once again, it is a model which is strengthened because
of a partnership between the owner and the people who are living
and working on the farms.’
Another project that is enjoying serious attention is the ‘1 house-
hold, 1 hectare’ to alleviate inequality and poverty and transform
rural economies. This campaign hopes to inspire communities by
instilling a sense of belief within them that it is in their hands to
work towards self-sustainability. It is obvious that lack of food
affects every developmental area of a person. This programme can
contribute to addressing the challenges South Africans face con-
cerning food security.
A project which is very important to Archary is the Agri-parks pro-
gramme, designed to revitalise agriculture and the agro-processing
value chain, whereby producers can be developed and given an
opportunity within the agricultural chain. It provides networks of
contacts between producers, markets and processors as well as the
infrastructure required for the transforming industries.
‘Things can however not happen overnight, but we have to stick to
our plan,’ she says about this model created to drive transformation.
She is convinced that agriculture is the one area that can kick-start
the economy, but realises that the challenge lies in ensuring that
this industry becomes attractive to young people. She strongly be-
lieves that the Agri-parks can play an important role in this area.
Paying it forward
Whether or not she becomes the new DG, it is important to her to
know that her contribution has changed a person’s life for the better.
She firmly believes in the ‘pay it forward’ principle and knows that
if every South African paid it forward, this simple principle will lead
to a changed South Africa.
‘We can’t all reach the highest level, but if you have made a differ-
ence to someone else’s life by what you do, you have reached your
goal. Minister Gugile Nkwinti, minister of the DRDLR, always says
we should be honoured to serve the public where we can make a
difference and not just see it as a job.’
The COO of Facebook, Sheryl Sandberg said, ‘Leadership is about
making others better because of your presence and making sure
that impact lasts in your absence’. If her efforts are successful, the
impact Leona Archary makes will surely last in her absence as well.
“
‘If there is something you
want to do, you will be able
to do it if you put your mind
to it. If you keep putting
your own obstacles before
you, you won’t achieve
anything,’
“