by Olwetu Batyi | Mar 1, 2022 | Uncategorized
New SA-China citrus protocol to benefit East Cape farmers
Citrus farmers in the Eastern Cape are set to benefit from the new citrus protocol signed between SA and China. The old protocol had more stringent regulations on cold requirements for lemons, previously at 0.6°C or below.
The new protocol allows for 3°C for storage spanning a maximum of 18 days. The new protocol with China was brokered by agriculture; land reform and rural development minister Thoko Didiza. Together with Eastern Cape rural development and agrarian reform (DRDAR) MEC Nonkqubela Pieters, Didiza witnessed the first shipment of lemons to China from the Durban harbour.
The Eastern Cape, which is SA’s biggest lemon producer, will export its produce under the new protocol. The province produces 42% of SA’s total production. Of the 30-million cartons of lemons that SA exported in 2021, 11.3-million came from the Eastern Cape.
It is estimated that lemon exports to China will generate an additional R325-million and create 800 new jobs in the country. Black farmers are also participating in the export market, with a 40% increase in volume to 1.6m carton exports in 2020. During his state of the province address Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane said:
“Our province is an exporter of agricultural commodities to international markets. Today lemons produced from our province were shipped to China at the Durban port. While we celebrate this milestone, we want the produce from our farmers to be shipped from our ports and we are engaging Transnet regarding improvements at the East London port.”
The industry is also a significant job creator, employing some 120,000 people nationally. Some 26,000 of those are on Eastern Cape farms and pack houses. The Sundays River Local municipality contributes more than 4,000 jobs alone.
During picking and packing season, that number grows by 8,000. The DRDAR is assisting farmers with lemon orchard development while also working towards improving access to water, logistics, production inputs, infrastructure and new markets through compliance and accreditation programmes.
by Olwetu Batyi | Mar 1, 2022 | Uncategorized
Quality wool does the talking for female farmer
In a male-dominated industry where beginners and women are said to be overlooked, forcing them to double their efforts to be recognised, Dintle Maphala lets the quality of her wool speak for itself. Maphala, a 28-year-old farmer in Aliwal North, is one of the farmers capacitated by the department of rural development and agrarian reform (DRDAR).
Through the DRDAR’s livestock improvement scheme — a programme that invests in farmers through the provision of livestock of superior genes — Maphala recently received 28 angora ewes and two angora buck s. The department’s assistance has enabled the passionate young female farmer to produce mohair from her herd of 302 goats. Some of her herd are a mixed breed of angora and boer goats. While these goats give her large volumes, it is of an inferior quality.
“During shearing seasons I’d sell big bales but the money I’d get didn’t correspond with the amount of fur I had produced, and this was all because of the quality,” Maphala said.
She said her herd was slowly improving with the addition of pure angoras — a breed known for its pricey and quality wool. With training on wool production by Mohair SA and the assistance of the DRDAR, Maphala, who holds a farming management qualification, said it was now up to her to su cceed.
She shears twice a year and in the past year made a total of R200, 000 from sales. Now she is aiming for the stars.
“All the recent developments on my farm have nudged me only inches away from my dream. The DRDAR has given me the necessary support and Mohair SA taught me the ropes on wool production and even helped me with the market. Everything is just flowing now,” she said.
The DRDAR has also invested in the fencing of Maphala’s farm and met her primary wool production needs through the provision of a shearing shed with all its accessories, starting with a baling machine, sorter and compressor. Describing government support as a springboard for her business, Maphala said government investment would assist her in overcoming some of the challenges she had been dealing with.
“As a young farmer, especially a woman, I have always had to work even harder and double my efforts to be recognised in the industry, whereas it’s not the case with my male counterparts. But from now on the quality of my wool will do the talking and open more doors for the business,” sh e said.
On her 287ha Goedehoop farm, which she received from her parents in 2016, she also farms cattle, poultry and vegetables. In 2020, she was chosen to undergo poultry production training at the Tsolo Agriculture and Rural Development Institute (Tardi) — an initiative of the Office of the Premier. A poultry production facility is being constructed on her farm, courtesy of the highest office in the province.
“As I am part of the YARD programme of the Eastern Cape province, there’s is no stone I will leave unturned to access opportunities so I can grow in agriculture and encourage entrepreneurship for black people, especially youth and females,” Maphala said.
“I’m planning to be one of the ambassadors in making sure that the youth sees agriculture as a career and a sector that has potential to create employment and feed the nation.” On her farm, she has two permanent employees and 18 temporary workers who she employs during periods of shearing and vaccination.
by Olwetu Batyi | Mar 1, 2022 | Uncategorized
MEC brings joy to learners
By Thozi kaManyisana
Rural development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) brought smiles and jubilation to 180 disadvantaged learners in the northern parts of Sarah Baartman District Municipality.
While DRDAR MEC Nonkqubela Pieters brought the message of “love Agriculture” as her key message to the schools she has adopted, she also brought “goodies to restore dignity” of learners
The department visited the schools, including Misgund Junior Secondary School and Louterwater Primary School as well as Joubertina Junior Secondary School on Monday.
On Tuesday, the schools included Qhayiyalethu Comprehensive School, Gustav Reichel Primary School and Coldstream Junior Secondary School.
Apart from demonstration of planting seedlings and trees in their school gardens, the identified learners were handed over with school bags, school shoes and dignity packs that included sanitary towels, roll-on, toothpaste , toothbrush, washing rag and soap.
The MEC noted that some of the leaners who received the school shoes from the department were either barefoot or wearing takkies to school.
“While I am here to instill love of Agriculture and show there’s bright future in the sector, I’m happy that I brought these goodies to restore your dignity.
“You are coming from poor backgrounds but you can become prosperous as the background doesn’t determine one’s future.
“Go on and become shinning stars , dream big and make those dreams a reality,” said the MEC.
She said she was interested in seeing the learners results improve hence “it is important to work seriously.”
“We want all schools to start have food gardens so that the learners can start seeing the value of agriculture from a young age,” she added.
Doris Luzwati, from MEC’s constituency office urged parents to “take a key role in children’s education so that teachers can easily deal with kids.”
A twelve-year-old Johander Kleinbooi of Qhayiyalethu Comprehensive School was wearing takkies to the school said he was “very thankful to the department.”
“I’m very happy because I will be able to walk around the with my head up and not feel different because I don’t have schools,” he said.
In all the schools, the gesture of starting food gardens and the donation of seedlings was warmly welcomed.
Gustav Reichel Primary School principal Coeleen van Zyl said they “appreciate the assistance from the bottom of our hearts.”
The MEC identified 12 schools that will be assisted by department as part of the MEC’s adopt a School Programme that was pronounced by the Cabinet.
by Olwetu Batyi | Dec 21, 2021 | Uncategorized
Pieters calls for responsible festive season celebrations
By Sanele James
A total of 100 households in Somerset East under the Blue Crane Route Local Municipality are looking forward to this year’s festive season celebrations.
This is after MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Nonkqubela Pieters took surprise early Xmas party for the elderly and children to the small town of the Karoo.
Pieters distributed food parcels and educational toys to the needy locals with majority of the beneficiaries being women.
Thirty of the beneficiaries came from Cookhouse, 15 from Pearston and 55 from the hosting Somerset East.
Dressed in Santa Clause attire, Pieters also handed out 100 toys among 50 boys and 50 girls.
Pieters took the opportunity to denounce acts of abuse against women and children and further lectured locals about the novel Corona Virus.
“This time of the year is characterised by exchanging of gifts and love. We are also here to do the same –celebrate and be merry with you. But as we celebrate the festive season, let’s do it responsible and fight the scourge of gender-based violence and the abuse of children.
“As we celebrate, let’s be protective of the vulnerable and elderly. Let’s not only protect each other against abuse but also against the Corona Virus,” she pleaded with the beneficiaries.
The Xmas party took place at the Somerset Youth Centre under strict Covid-19 protocols.
Among the beneficiaries was Eunice Clarkson. The 68-year-old used to work as a cleaner at a local shop but she unfortunately lost her job early this year when her employer closed shop after it couldn’t recover from the Covid-19 level 1 restrictions.
“I am here with my granddaughter who has also received a doll as her Christmas gift. She has always wanted one but I couldn’t get her the toy because we channelled the little we had towards other family needs,” she said.
The list of the beneficiaries was compiled by the municipality through its database of indigent residents.
Among those who attended the event was Mayor for Blue Crane Route Local Municipality, Bonisile Manxoweni.
by Olwetu Batyi | Nov 16, 2021 | Uncategorized
Magwa to be Sustainable in 2024 – MEC
By Thozi kaManyisana
MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Nonkqubela Pieters proclaimed that by the year 2024
Magwa Tea Enterprise (MET) will reach break even point and reduce its over-reliance on government
support.
Addressing journalists after she led harvesting of 1443 hectares of tea and touring Magwa processing
factory, MEC said government was “making inroads” in the MET turnaround process.
“Government is not throwing away money by investing here, we have created employment opportunities
in an economically depressed region. Through this development, Magwa has created sustainable
livelihoods, supporting multitudes of families. Indeed we are making inroads though we are not yet where
we want it to be. By 2024, the enterprise will break-even, and it will be sustainable,” she said.
The main objective of the turnaround is repositioning the Magwa-Majola Development Corridor within
Lusikisiki and Port St Johns area as a thriving sub-local economic hub in the Wild Coast Region.
We are currently engaging prospective investors and I’m confident that the enterprise will be able to
make profit when there is private sector capital injected on tea production, tourism and high-value
commodities. The eco-tourism enterprise will also be the mainstay to unlock the tourism potential of the
region.
The company has diversified its products and markets, and this product and market diversification, has
positioned Magwa brand in the same platform as its competitors and introducing Magwa Rooibos
stimulated product demand within local markets. Magwa and Majola Tea in Black and Rooibos is available
in more than 50 retail stores in the province and KZN.
Over and above this diversification, conglomerates such as Unilever, Joekels and National Brands buy tea
in bulk from Magwa and Majola. Eastern Cape government approved the procurement of locally
produced tea so that government departments municipalities and public entities buy it. The procurement
of locally produced tea products is critical in improving Magwa profit margins, reduce over-reliance on
provincial fiscus and stabilising the socio-economic outlook of the Ingquza Hill and Port St. Johns local
municipalities (these two local municipalities are ranked among the poorest in South Africa).
To this end the MET has created employment opportunities totalling 957 employees (481 permanent and
476 seasonal workers, predominantly women and young people).
General Manager of MET, Mr Chuma Velani announced that the Majola Tea Estate has been awarded an
organic tea certificate by ECOCERT (an international certification body), which will open doors for niche
and export markets for Majola Tea.
In line with the strategic direction of achieving the highest level of sustainability, MET has achieved the
pinnacle of environmental sustainability by reaching ‘Sustainable Agriculture’ status certified for product
and farms, he added.
“Being one of the leaders in the tea market over the years, Magwa has embarked on an aggressive path
in its marketing approach to ensure an advantage over its competitors as a single origin product,” he said.
He said by 2024 in the tea production and processing they expected to employ about 2500 employees
while other value crops and tourism planned for the MET might take the employment numbers to 5000.
One of the longest serving employees in Magwa, Nontshumayelo Vonqongo, who started in 1989 as a
casual worker and is now a permanent Section Manager hailed the estate as a “great job creator in this
region.”
“Working here has changed our lives. It has made me a better person as I have built a house for my family,
out of the money I earn from Magwa”, she said.
Workers representative from Majola Tea Estate, Nofikile Tungani, said “We thank government for
assisting us, we would not be here if it was not for government support”.
In thanking the good working relationship between management and staff, MEC Pieters said the
Enterprise is the “pride of the province and government will assist it until it is sustainable.
“These Estates will never fail but will continue to prosper” she concluded.
The MEC’s visit, which included tea tasting ended up with her viewing the famous Magwa Falls.
