Haarlem Alien Clearance

This had a catastrophic effect, both direct and indirect, on the local economy; effects which will last for up to two years.  With no income from crops, 270 permanent and seasonal workers have been made redundant as there is no work for them to do or money with which to pay them.

In such a poor and struggling community the loss of income to so many breadwinners is a dreadful blow.

To provide temporary employment for some of the victims to help tide them over, the Department of Agriculture has made available R200 000 for a project to clear alien vegetation from the countryside to assist in the regeneration of indigenous vegetation.

This assistance is greatly appreciated but it only fills part of the basic needs of those who lost their jobs.