A recent global rice shortage and the inability of neighboring Zimbabwe to feed its people have shone a full spotlight on dwindling food resources. This has, in turn, led to much finger-pointing both within South Africa and internationally. There are several laws that effectively entrench environmental legislation, whether it concerns farm land, conservation areas, or golf estates. So if golf developers have adhered to the letter of the law, there is no reason to assume they are resource guzzlers. The remaining 30% may well be lost to indigenous inhabitants, but the golf course turf, with its dense root system, offers numerous benefits as well. These include soil conservation, water conservation, conservation of indigenous vegetation, combat of weeds and invasive plants, sustainable irrigation including the prevention or control of waterlogging, utilization and protection of vleis, marshes, water courses and sources, and regulation of the flow pattern of runoff water. Golf estates benefit the land without empirical facts to back up the Minister’s comments. Environmental impact studies are a prerequisite, and legislation exists to protect land and resources.
Although there might be some validity to Xingwane's concern, no empirical study has been conducted to determine the advantages of commercial farming over either golf resorts or game farms, and many experts believe quite the opposite regarding golf real estate. Another area of concern is the massive amount of water used to irrigate golf courses. An estimated 10,800,000 liters of water are used per annum per golf course, but the vast majority of them, especially those located along the Garden Route, use recycled sewage or even desalination plants to maintain the greens and fairways in pristine condition. Recent studies by golf experts have shown that as much as 70% of the average golf course in South Africa consists of rough and other non-playing areas. Although there are no statistics concerning the use of land before it was zoned for golf development, many golf courses have been constructed on landfill sites and areas severely damaged by mining.
Minister Lulu Xingwane is troubled by the recent decline in crop production at a time when the population is growing and the supply of food is barely meeting demand. Every proposed golf estate must undergo an environmental impact study that is reviewed by the relevant authorities. It is therefore misleading to suggest that there is no control or regulation of golf estates in South Africa and that they are detrimental to agriculture in the country. Benefits such as slowing surface water runoff to protect topsoil from wind and water erosion and holding up to 20% more soil than traditional farmed crop land should also be considered. Golf playgrounds created out of damaged land can help mitigate these issues. Some view golf developments as elitist and unnecessary, consuming prime agricultural land and scarce water resources, leading the Minister to advocate for restrictions on future golf estates.
According to the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act 43 of 1983), all natural agricultural resources are protected by law, which applies to golf estate development as well. Included in the Act: Golf estates, along with game farms, were recently criticized by the incumbent Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs in South Africa. These areas have generally been fully rehabilitated by developers, with invasive plant species that consume large amounts of water being replaced by indigenous plants, trees, and shrubs that create a pristine habitat filled with various wildlife.
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