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The Portfolio Committee on Rural Development and Land Reform, on its oversight visit to Elandsvlei, Grootwitplan and Miranda (Northern Cape) state-owned farms, is happy and satisfied with work of strategic partners of sharing risk. The Committee is also pleased with farm mentors for supporting and providing necessary skills to new farm owners and beneficiaries.

Ms Phumzile Ngwenya-Mabila, Chairperson of the Committee, said she was very pleased with the progress she had witnessed on the state farms that the Committee visited yesterday. Ms Ngwenya-Mabila said the Recapitalisation Programme could only be a success through positive and healthy relationship between state farm beneficiaries, farm mentors, national and provincial department of rural development, land reform and agriculture and strategic partners.

One success story is that of Ms Serena Vivashe, a beneficiary for Miranda farm has 1 541 sheep, 95 cattle, one bakkie (2x4)... all of this she achieved with the help of Recapitalisation Programme, and good working relationship with her farm mentor. Through her dedication and hard work, she has won National Farmers Award. “Farmers should know that to become successful, one should be committed, work hard and have self confidence and a will to survive, and it does not matter whether you are a man or woman,” said Ms Vivashe.

Ms Ngwenya-Mabila was convinced that strategic partnerships, with equity-sharing of 70% by beneficiaries through the Recapitalisation and Development funding and 30% by the strategic partner could bring about positive results. The Committee appreciated the contribution of partnerships towards the training of farmers and transfer of skills on farm management, in particular financial management, first aid, and pest control.

Issued by Parliament