MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Nonkqubela Pieters urged the Joe Gqabi staff to work harder in supporting farmers to ensure that it continues to produce the best wool in the country.
She was speaking during a meeting with the staff where she was warmly welcomed by the staff who assured her that they will work with her to make the sector to appeal to young people.
“I will urge all those who have ideas to come so that we can come up with strategies as I may not know the lingo used by young people,” she said.
The MEC also spoke at length about creating an conducive environment for the staff to execute their duties. She added that the was no room for gender based violence that is rampant in the country.
Acting District Director Zimasa Nduna’s report gave detail of staffing and infrastructural development in the District.
Acting HOD Bongikaya Dayimani decried bleak expenditure trends in some districts saying it was “criminal” to underspend by almost half a million on food security in the midst of poverty in the country
“Just look at how many households you could have supported?”.
He encouraged staff members to tighten controls and avoid fruitless, irregular and wasteful expenditure.