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KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance, Mrs Belinda Scott, has pledged to donate 15 commercial rams to Thandabantu Wool Growers co-operative at Haladu area in Nquthu.

The rams are a "life-saving injection" and a "booster" to the business that is formed by 13 co-operative members (six women and seven men). Members of the co-operative sheer sheep and sell wool to a market in Port Elizabeth. Currently, the business is battling to survive as the wool is often of sub-standard quality.

"The donation of 15 rams will save our business. We will make profit and expand the business," says Mr Tsepang Molefe who is the member of the co-operative.

MEC Scott was moved when she heard that the co-op was struggling to make ends meet, even after the department of agriculture had built a R1.5 million wool sheering shed for them.

"We need to assist this co-operative so that they can sustain their business and generate revenue. Many people in this area are unemployed and it is important to support local initiatives that assist to put food on the table. I need people of this area to commit to be serious about radical agrarian reform. It is such initiatives that will boost the economy of this area and the province," said the MEC.

The community told the MEC of challenges faced by the people of Haladu area in Nquthu, including water shortage, lack of access roads and houses. Haladu area is mainly populated by seSotho speaking people under Molefe chieftainship. Leneha High School seSotho teacher, Mr Moshe Molefe, urged the provincial government to assist the only three schools in the area that have seSotho as a subject.

"Our learners need more support but there are serious challenges as seSotho is only for in these schools and the department does not have subject advisors to assist us," said Molefe.

Local Induna Phiso Molefe said the language issue was also problematic for the community as government departments did not have documents in seSotho. "It is a problem for us when we get to government offices.

Scott promised that she will report to the Provincial Cabinet all issues raised so that relevant departments would attend to them. Department of Agriculture Head of Department, Dr Siphiwe Mkhize, said the department also assists to mentor members of the co-operative.

Issued by KwaZulu-Natal Finance