Date: 09/10/2005
Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Land Affairs
Title: Didiza: Project Consolidate Imbizo in Mkhanyakude
Speaking notes by Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs, Thoko Didiza, at Project Consolidate Imbizo in Mkhanyakude
Project Consolidate is a Government initiative, which is aimed at improving service delivery by providing hands on support to 136 municipalities. National Ministers have been deployed to various municipalities in order to assist in the process of finding solutions to local service delivery challenges facing various municipalities.
This innovative approach aims at optimising the impact of local government system to improve and strengthen the intergovernmental key areas of service delivery. Based on what the MEC has said, as national government we have a responsibility to provide hands on support to the nodal municipalities. As Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy (ISRDP) nodal area Mkhanyakude is an epitome of government’s efforts to eradicate poverty and better the lives of the people.
As a political champion for this node and government representative at national level it is my responsibility to see to it that development of this node is happening.
People hoping to get involved in agricultural enterprise have been struggling to get financial backup. The government took the initiative of coming with a mobilisation self service scheme to assist those who do not have collateral to access banking loans. With this intervention, we are confident that farmers will be able to increase food production at the household level and be able to feed their families and have a food secure municipality.
MAFISA therefore aims to drive and facilitate the development, broadening and strengthening of financial services, which will contribute to the development of small emerging farmers and micro-level farmers. You already have the culture of savings which has been successfully done through the burial societies and Stokvels. Through this scheme, farmers will expand on these initiatives and develop into sustainable farming enterprises.
You made a call to government that you have land to farm but did not have mechanisation to develop yourself and provide food security. Government presents to as a community the mechanisation package to assist you to farm. Government officials will be made available to assist in the use and servicing of these machines. There are good signs of rain in preparation for the planting season – Phezukomkhono, masilime sizovuna ekupheleni konyaka.
Government has also come up with a plan to develop an Agri-Tourism Programme for Umkhanyakude. As all of you are aware that there is extensive land degradation in this area thus we introduce LandCare. Now our intention is to make Umkhanyakude more business viable and ensure that there is sustainable management of agricultural resources and ecological systems. Now you have mechanisation to give you a good kick-start. Agri-tourism will come in handy in developing and attracting tourists to visit this area.
Two land claims were lodged in this area and government is taking steps to address the issue as soon as possible. The challenges that we have as government on this issue are:
* State attorney taking longer to transfer land
* No integrated plan developed for this area
* The critical part of this claim is the infrastructure (supply of water and electricity)
* There is a lack of direct participation by the claimant community
Obviously government on its own cannot tackle service delivery on its own. Your involvement is central to achieving the ideal of a better life for all. As key stakeholder your responsibilities are:
* To collectively look after and maintain these machines.
* To ensure that you participate in the government implementation process
* You assist in fighting corruption and so forth.
It is important for each individual to understand what the Provincial and your municipal plan of action entails.
I thank you.
Issued by: Ministry of Agriculture and Land Affairs
9 October 2005
Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Land Affairs
Title: Didiza: Project Consolidate Imbizo in Mkhanyakude
Speaking notes by Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs, Thoko Didiza, at Project Consolidate Imbizo in Mkhanyakude
Project Consolidate is a Government initiative, which is aimed at improving service delivery by providing hands on support to 136 municipalities. National Ministers have been deployed to various municipalities in order to assist in the process of finding solutions to local service delivery challenges facing various municipalities.
This innovative approach aims at optimising the impact of local government system to improve and strengthen the intergovernmental key areas of service delivery. Based on what the MEC has said, as national government we have a responsibility to provide hands on support to the nodal municipalities. As Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy (ISRDP) nodal area Mkhanyakude is an epitome of government’s efforts to eradicate poverty and better the lives of the people.
As a political champion for this node and government representative at national level it is my responsibility to see to it that development of this node is happening.
People hoping to get involved in agricultural enterprise have been struggling to get financial backup. The government took the initiative of coming with a mobilisation self service scheme to assist those who do not have collateral to access banking loans. With this intervention, we are confident that farmers will be able to increase food production at the household level and be able to feed their families and have a food secure municipality.
MAFISA therefore aims to drive and facilitate the development, broadening and strengthening of financial services, which will contribute to the development of small emerging farmers and micro-level farmers. You already have the culture of savings which has been successfully done through the burial societies and Stokvels. Through this scheme, farmers will expand on these initiatives and develop into sustainable farming enterprises.
You made a call to government that you have land to farm but did not have mechanisation to develop yourself and provide food security. Government presents to as a community the mechanisation package to assist you to farm. Government officials will be made available to assist in the use and servicing of these machines. There are good signs of rain in preparation for the planting season – Phezukomkhono, masilime sizovuna ekupheleni konyaka.
Government has also come up with a plan to develop an Agri-Tourism Programme for Umkhanyakude. As all of you are aware that there is extensive land degradation in this area thus we introduce LandCare. Now our intention is to make Umkhanyakude more business viable and ensure that there is sustainable management of agricultural resources and ecological systems. Now you have mechanisation to give you a good kick-start. Agri-tourism will come in handy in developing and attracting tourists to visit this area.
Two land claims were lodged in this area and government is taking steps to address the issue as soon as possible. The challenges that we have as government on this issue are:
* State attorney taking longer to transfer land
* No integrated plan developed for this area
* The critical part of this claim is the infrastructure (supply of water and electricity)
* There is a lack of direct participation by the claimant community
Obviously government on its own cannot tackle service delivery on its own. Your involvement is central to achieving the ideal of a better life for all. As key stakeholder your responsibilities are:
* To collectively look after and maintain these machines.
* To ensure that you participate in the government implementation process
* You assist in fighting corruption and so forth.
It is important for each individual to understand what the Provincial and your municipal plan of action entails.
I thank you.
Issued by: Ministry of Agriculture and Land Affairs
9 October 2005
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