Date:21/06/2005
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Dowry: Masiza mussel farm visit
Speech by Cobus Dowry, Minister of Agriculture in the Western Cape during his visit to Masiza mussel farm
Master of ceremonies,
Honourable Mayor Stoffels,
Representatives of the National Ports Authority,
La Vie Sea foods, Blue Bay Aqua Farms,
Professor Mohammed Karaan and Absa;
Other distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let my start off by stating that I am greatly honoured by the invitation to attend this function and to say a few words at the occasion of the introduction of this empowerment project in a field that is not normally perceived to be agricultural activity. However, I am assured by our "today, tomorrow, together" friends from ABSA, that they regard mussel farming as Agri-Business. Although the Department of Agriculture in the Western Cape is involved in programmes on aqua culture and two of the students who are involved in the Young Professionals Programme of the Department, has done some work for their MSc studies on Jasus La Landii, this adds a whole new dimension to our core activities and we will definitely look at it in a new light in days to come.
In looking at this project and the possibilities it produces I have to remind us all about the vision of the Western Cape Government to create a home for all in iKapa elihlumayo. (Meaning the growing Cape).
You will allow me to briefly refer to iKapa elihlumayo, in drawing a parallel between this project and the empowerment of our people who were deprived from so much for so long.
In the African mythology of elihlumayo, 'growth' refers to that of the emerging, new, succulent, sweet grass that grows to sustain all, following the burning of the old grass. This is exactly what the Western Cape government envisages as we are set to write another chapter in the evolution of iKapa elihlumayo as the lodestar of our aspirations and the focus of our hopes for the next decade.
As a government we are at the forefront in the fight against poverty in an attempt to improve the quality of life of our people. Through the growth of the economy, the creation of jobs and the security of ownership we want to adhere to, and be driven by the very being of the Freedom Charter
The broad approach of iKapa Elihlumayo is to pursue the systematic reduction of unemployment and income disparities in the Western Cape through enhanced economic activity. It therefore has the dual imperative of growing the economy as well as increasing employment and participation in the economy. Following the approach set out by the President, the general philosophy is to maintain and improve the social safety net while progressively reducing the number of people who rely on this safety net through increased participation in the economy.
The iKapa strategy proposes to use the provincial budget as a whole as well as a series of strategic partnerships to stimulate the economy and to open it up to wider participation. The crowding in of private and foreign investment as well as proper synergy with other delivery partners such as local and national government, provincial public entities and state-owned enterprises will therefore be of critical importance to the success of this endeavour.
Die drie sleutelwoorde in die Groeiende Kaap, is waardigheid, billikheid en welvaart. Dit strewe hierna is die enigste weg tot 'n positiewe toekoms wat aan elkeen die geleentheid tot eiendomsreg en ekonomiese selfstandigheid sal bied.
Indien ons erns het met die Provinsie en Suid-Afrika se toekomstige welvaart en welsyn dan moet ons weet dat dit sekere eise aan ons gaan stel. Dit vra van ons nuwe denke en benaderings. Dit vra van die wat oor baie jare bymekaar gemaak het, om die regering se hande te vat in die gelykmakings- en bemagtigingsaksies wat van stapel gestuur moet word. Dit vra meer rolspelers, soos u wat by hierdie projek betrokke is, om medeverantwoordelikheid te aanvaar in die prosesse wat met bemagtiging gepaard gaan.
What we are experiencing here today is exactly in line with the aims of the Government in the Western Cape.
The farming of mussels has taken on a new dimension through the unique partnership that was formed by the various role-players who are bound to the project in their own unique ways, as was pointed out to us.
I want to commend Blue Bay Aquafarm, who is a member of the investment group called Terra San, for its vision and commitment to start and mentor this project in the way it did. The fact that you not only gave some valuable time, expertise, advice and training, but also structured the project in such a way that the beneficiaries of the project were able to work their rafts twice a week and keep their employ during the start-up period, shows your true commitment to the empowerment of your people. The type of model that we see here should serve as a good example to other empowerment projects in an effort to assist new entrants in overcoming the pitfalls and hardships they might experience when embarking on their new road to ownership and financial freedom.
The role that La Vie Seafood products is playing in providing market access to the new farmers is of the utmost importance and should assist Absa, who became a full today, tomorrow, forever friend in the way that they provided financing and structuring for the project, to be at ease on the deal that they entered into.
In conclusion I want to say to the 74% black shareholders in Masiza Mussel Farm that you should walk tall in your community, not to boast about your achievements, but to act as role models and examples of what can be done by people who are willing to grasp their opportunities and who are willing to work just as hard for themselves as they worked for their bosses.
I don't merely want to say that I wish you well with this project. I want to say that I know that you will do well with your new business venture and that you will expand to the stage where you will not only use 50 hectares for your farming activities, but that you, together with other emerging mussel farmers will grow to the extent that you utilize the full 300 hectares that are available for mussel farming in the bay and that you will not only stop at the 50 new jobs that you are providing but that you will become major creators of job opportunities in the full value chain in the mussel industry. In this way you will also become partners of the government in creating a home for all in iKapa elihlumayo.
Enquiries: Alie van Jaarsveld
Cell: 084 604 6701
Tel: (021) 483 4930
Fax: (021) 483 3890
E-mail: avjaarsv@pgwc.gov.za
Issued by: Ministry of Agriculture, Western Cape Provincial Government
21 June 2005
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Dowry: Masiza mussel farm visit
Speech by Cobus Dowry, Minister of Agriculture in the Western Cape during his visit to Masiza mussel farm
Master of ceremonies,
Honourable Mayor Stoffels,
Representatives of the National Ports Authority,
La Vie Sea foods, Blue Bay Aqua Farms,
Professor Mohammed Karaan and Absa;
Other distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let my start off by stating that I am greatly honoured by the invitation to attend this function and to say a few words at the occasion of the introduction of this empowerment project in a field that is not normally perceived to be agricultural activity. However, I am assured by our "today, tomorrow, together" friends from ABSA, that they regard mussel farming as Agri-Business. Although the Department of Agriculture in the Western Cape is involved in programmes on aqua culture and two of the students who are involved in the Young Professionals Programme of the Department, has done some work for their MSc studies on Jasus La Landii, this adds a whole new dimension to our core activities and we will definitely look at it in a new light in days to come.
In looking at this project and the possibilities it produces I have to remind us all about the vision of the Western Cape Government to create a home for all in iKapa elihlumayo. (Meaning the growing Cape).
You will allow me to briefly refer to iKapa elihlumayo, in drawing a parallel between this project and the empowerment of our people who were deprived from so much for so long.
In the African mythology of elihlumayo, 'growth' refers to that of the emerging, new, succulent, sweet grass that grows to sustain all, following the burning of the old grass. This is exactly what the Western Cape government envisages as we are set to write another chapter in the evolution of iKapa elihlumayo as the lodestar of our aspirations and the focus of our hopes for the next decade.
As a government we are at the forefront in the fight against poverty in an attempt to improve the quality of life of our people. Through the growth of the economy, the creation of jobs and the security of ownership we want to adhere to, and be driven by the very being of the Freedom Charter
The broad approach of iKapa Elihlumayo is to pursue the systematic reduction of unemployment and income disparities in the Western Cape through enhanced economic activity. It therefore has the dual imperative of growing the economy as well as increasing employment and participation in the economy. Following the approach set out by the President, the general philosophy is to maintain and improve the social safety net while progressively reducing the number of people who rely on this safety net through increased participation in the economy.
The iKapa strategy proposes to use the provincial budget as a whole as well as a series of strategic partnerships to stimulate the economy and to open it up to wider participation. The crowding in of private and foreign investment as well as proper synergy with other delivery partners such as local and national government, provincial public entities and state-owned enterprises will therefore be of critical importance to the success of this endeavour.
Die drie sleutelwoorde in die Groeiende Kaap, is waardigheid, billikheid en welvaart. Dit strewe hierna is die enigste weg tot 'n positiewe toekoms wat aan elkeen die geleentheid tot eiendomsreg en ekonomiese selfstandigheid sal bied.
Indien ons erns het met die Provinsie en Suid-Afrika se toekomstige welvaart en welsyn dan moet ons weet dat dit sekere eise aan ons gaan stel. Dit vra van ons nuwe denke en benaderings. Dit vra van die wat oor baie jare bymekaar gemaak het, om die regering se hande te vat in die gelykmakings- en bemagtigingsaksies wat van stapel gestuur moet word. Dit vra meer rolspelers, soos u wat by hierdie projek betrokke is, om medeverantwoordelikheid te aanvaar in die prosesse wat met bemagtiging gepaard gaan.
What we are experiencing here today is exactly in line with the aims of the Government in the Western Cape.
The farming of mussels has taken on a new dimension through the unique partnership that was formed by the various role-players who are bound to the project in their own unique ways, as was pointed out to us.
I want to commend Blue Bay Aquafarm, who is a member of the investment group called Terra San, for its vision and commitment to start and mentor this project in the way it did. The fact that you not only gave some valuable time, expertise, advice and training, but also structured the project in such a way that the beneficiaries of the project were able to work their rafts twice a week and keep their employ during the start-up period, shows your true commitment to the empowerment of your people. The type of model that we see here should serve as a good example to other empowerment projects in an effort to assist new entrants in overcoming the pitfalls and hardships they might experience when embarking on their new road to ownership and financial freedom.
The role that La Vie Seafood products is playing in providing market access to the new farmers is of the utmost importance and should assist Absa, who became a full today, tomorrow, forever friend in the way that they provided financing and structuring for the project, to be at ease on the deal that they entered into.
In conclusion I want to say to the 74% black shareholders in Masiza Mussel Farm that you should walk tall in your community, not to boast about your achievements, but to act as role models and examples of what can be done by people who are willing to grasp their opportunities and who are willing to work just as hard for themselves as they worked for their bosses.
I don't merely want to say that I wish you well with this project. I want to say that I know that you will do well with your new business venture and that you will expand to the stage where you will not only use 50 hectares for your farming activities, but that you, together with other emerging mussel farmers will grow to the extent that you utilize the full 300 hectares that are available for mussel farming in the bay and that you will not only stop at the 50 new jobs that you are providing but that you will become major creators of job opportunities in the full value chain in the mussel industry. In this way you will also become partners of the government in creating a home for all in iKapa elihlumayo.
Enquiries: Alie van Jaarsveld
Cell: 084 604 6701
Tel: (021) 483 4930
Fax: (021) 483 3890
E-mail: avjaarsv@pgwc.gov.za
Issued by: Ministry of Agriculture, Western Cape Provincial Government
21 June 2005
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