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PREVIOUS WINELAND ARTICLES   |   WINELAND HOME End of the Tot System - What Now? Text and photos: Riette Rust Seasonal workers, responsible inter alia for suckering the vineyards, in front of the church where weddings are held on the farm Nagenoeg (Annandale Road near Stellenbosch). Dopstop, the association campaigning for the improvement of the social conditions of farm workers on wine farms in the Western Cape, has adopted a new approach: Both farm workers and farmers are involved in decision making. So far the most important difference made by the Dopstop Association has been the eradication of the tot system in the Western Cape, says Dr Chan Makan, executive director of the Association for Responsible Alcohol Use (ARA). The new approach of co-operation is definitely paying off, he says. Charles Erasmus, Dopstop manager, puts it in a nutshell: "In the past local organisations regarded the farmer as an antagonist; as being solely responsible for the social conditions on wine farms. The farm worker was the 'innocent victim'. Nowadays we are working with the farmers and the farm worker to reach our goal." According to Charles, the new vision of Dopstop is to help farm workers and farmers to take control of social problems; relics of the old Colonial tot system. This includes alcohol abuse, foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), tuberculosis, illiteracy, malnutrition and Aids. "The focus of Dopstop now encompasses much more than alcohol abuse and we hope the new name will reflect that positive vision." Charles Erasmus, manager of Dopstop. Dopstop concentrates on the development of personal skills; the support of community drives; the facilitation of support to farm communities; the re-orientation of services; the creation of a healthy public image; academic research and the establishment of a resource centre. Dopstop works closely with the departments of health at the University of the Western Cape and the University of Cape Town, the Centre for Rural Legal Studies, the District Department of Health: Boland and several non-government organisations. The Stellenbosch-and-Helderberg-area recently founded RUDNET (Rural Development Network) to ensure co-operation with the rest of the wine industry and all the applicable organisations. "This new network will reinforce the work of the organisations on farms, assemble the role players and co-ordinate everybody's tasks." RUDNET will most likely be extended to the farm communities in the rest of the Boland, says new chairman Charles. One of Dopstop's most important goals is the empowerment of the farm worker. In the past non-government organisations, health departments and their social development divisions took decisions on behalf of farm worker communities. Dopstop enables the farm worker to be responsible for his own development. Dopstop also addresses the lack of skills. "For example, we teach the farm worker to communicate, take decisions and handle conflict." This enables him, for example, to personally put an end to an illegal shebeen. Dopstop supports the community in various drives, for example when a street has to be cleaned. "In the past local organisations considered the farmer to be antagonistic" The activities of the Association include a programme on alcohol policy and the control of illegal alcohol practices. Dopstop and its collaborators teach the farm worker that excessive consumption of alcohol plays a role in rape, violence and other crime. The Association is also part of the so-called International Partnership Programme. Australian Dr Margie Brady is currently writing a book in conjunction with Dopstop and the University of the Western Cape. It is based on alcohol research among the aborigines. "Our health workers will use it as a basis," says Charles. In instances where isolated cases of the tot system still occur in outlying rural areas, Dopstop talks to the farmer and obtains his collaboration in a non-confrontational manner. The issue may also be taken up with the Department of Economic Affairs: Agriculture and Tourism in the Western Cape. The matter is then pursued further in conjunction with the farmer and the Liquor Board. This little drama troupe consisting of farm workers is known as the Pretty Ladies. They put in an appearance at the Oudtshoorn festival with big names such as Shaleen Surtie-Richards, Frank Opperman and Ben Kruger. Front: Anna Peterson. Back from left: Christina Adonis, Susan Esel, Rachel Willemse and Willemina Pietersen. In these investigations the exact social conditions leading to alcohol abuse are determined. The aim is to empower the farmer and farm worker to solve the problem themselves. "We then look at, inter alia, the kind of wine given, when, how much and how. Is it wine in foil bags or beer? Is it given to seasonal workers or to permanent workers?" Solutions are then provided in writing. By so doing, Dopstop wants to help the farmer, the farm worker, the government and the non-government organisations. "But," warns Charles, "sometimes a farmer must be confronted. For example, when he tries to solve violence resulting from alcohol abuse with violence. Dopstop can get involved or may approach the police in tricky circumstances." Dopstop intends to train the police to handle this crime; and especially to provide a detailed report regarding alcohol abuse. With the aid of the reports, Dopstop will be able to address the abuse problem. Support and referral services for alcoholics are also in place. Dopstop would moreover like to eradicate the so-called 'soft version' of the tot system, which still features in the wine industry. "Often this sytem is not practiced on purpose." Wine is given as a fringe benefit, for example, on farms and at cellars, the quantity depending on the workers' position. This benefit can only be used to purchase wine at a specific cellar. Farm workers are now asking for grape juice to replace the wine perk. "This wine quota is also used in a manipulative way." If farm workers do not deliver their quota of work, they forfeit their wine perk. A new Cape liquor law is therefore envisaged. The Western Cape Green Paper, a policy document, has already been published. This policy regulates wine sales. Charles says it is hoped that the Cape liquor law will become effective towards the middle of the year. According to the policy document all forms of payment by means of wine and alcohol consumption on work premises are forbidden. The legalisation of shebeens is also recommended. The Rural Development Network has identified three projects for farms: The network wants to empower the farm committees, founded by the Farm Workers' Association. The relevant parties are taught to manage the activities of their local committees. The expertise of top management on farms (foremen and women) will be developed. At a later stage the technical team, including cellar workers, will be involved. Schalk Visser, owner of the farm Nagenoeg, Stellenbosch, in the farm clinic with Christina Adonis. Thridly the so-called Health Promotion Innovative Awards will be awarded to farmers and farm workers who promote health and development. But what is the government's responsibility, especially when taking into account the amount of money made by the government through the imposition of excise and tax on the wine industry? "As someone who used to work in government circles, I realise the importance of the government's role; especially with regard to the protection of the rights of farm communities (farm workers and farmers). The government should also provide resources. The non-government organisations should collaborate with the government and report about the needs on farms. Looking at the health problems, for example, there is uncertainty about whose problem it is. The provision of services to farms is thus compromised," says Charles. And the farmer? "The farmer should see the non-government organisations and Dopstop as his partners. We want to give him our support." Dopstop and various other non-government organisations are reaping the fruits of their labours. The tot system has been completely eradicated, for example, in the rural parts of Stellenbosch, where Dopstop is being represented. Although FAS is still prevalent in the Western Cape, a work group has been formed comprising representatives from the local authorities, non-government organisations and the Department of Health. They look after the prevention of FAS, the education of pregnant mothers, the rehabilitation of FAS children and the social conditions surrounding the issue. In the Stellenbosch-Paarl-Wellington areas there is nowadays a greater awareness of the dangers of alcohol abuse. Dr Makan says youth (everywhere in the world) is inclined to experiment. "By informing them of the possible dangers of alcohol abuse, we educate them. This way they can make an informed decision."

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