by Olwetu Batyi | Dec 3, 2020 | atp1
EC is ready to feed nations – MEC METH
By Thozi kaManyisana
MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Nomakhosazana Meth declared that the farmers in the Eastern Cape with the assistance of government are ready to “produce more crops to feed the nations.”
Speaking during the launch of the province’s flagship Cropping programme and the handover of the mechanisation centre at Ebden farm in Maclear, MEC said she was “encouraged by the resilience of the farmers.”
“We are here saying Phezukomkhono let’s plough,
We’re celebrating the growth of this sector. Eastern Cape is a leader in many Commodities not only in the country but in the globe.
“We celebrate the resilience of the farmers in tough times and we are ready to feed the nations,” she said.
She said the department has set aside R131 million to plant 32 000 ha, which is top from the 22 000ha planted last year whilst R70 million was invested in buying of the “state of the art” tractors, implements, trailers and a bakkie.
“We’re seeing the good work you are doing here hence we have decided to pilot the mechanisation centre here.
The idea is to have tractors and implements that belong to government as it pains to see government handing out tractors that are not benefiting all the farmers,” she said.
AmaMpondise King Luzuko Matiwane promised the MEC that “-your coming here is not in vain.
As the Kingdom we say land is economy and economy is land , this initiative is highly appreciated. “
Interim Secretary of the mechanisation centre, which will benefit Joe Gqabi District farmers, Dumisa Magidigidi described the investment as a “ real evidence of commercialisation of agriculture and taking farmers to the next level.
“I’m here to say thank you from the deepest of our hearts as farmers. We are happy that , this is piloted here, we do not take it for granted
“Buying a tractor isn’t a child’s play. This initiative will make a huge impact. I assure you, we will use the machinery effectively and other districts will come here for benchmarking and we will share with them our best practice.
We’ll make an impact not only in Elundini but in the country,” he said
After seeing the young Magidigidi ‘s work and passion ,MEC Meth said she was “very happy to see young people following the foot steps” of veteran farmers like Joe Mnyengo who own the farm where the launch was held. Yanga Dalasile of Dalasile Agri Park and Sinelizwi Fakade of Ukhanyo Farmer Development are young farmers that are strategic partners of the department , were also there to witness the launch of the cropping season.
She said agriculture “is a at the centre of growing the economy , so let’s treat it as business. No briefcase farmers will ever be supported by the department , we must work the land ”
by Olwetu Batyi | Nov 25, 2020 | atp1
Indigenous Knowledge must influence the Cannabis Industry
By Nontuthuzelo Mendu
The Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform held its third session of stakeholder engagement in Mthatha following East London and Lusikisiki.
The aim of the sessions is to solicit input from farmers on proposed Cannabis Bill for Private Use.
“Our indigenous property must be protected and it must not be sold back to us as intellectual property ,we must jealously guard against that.”
This was the opening statement by the King of Abathembu , Buyelekhaya. Dalindyebo during the third leg of the stakeholder engagement for the 2020 Cannabis Bill held in Umtata Mayfair Hotel.
“As the traditional authorities we welcome this Bill, we want it to develop all those that are underprivileged in this country,”
“This process has been delayed for too long in the Thembuland and as the King I’m giving everyone free reign to use this indigenous plant that we were given by our ancestors, any type of cannabis must be 100% legal’’
“Time for talk shows is over ,we want action.
Our people must be wealthy from our indigenous seed ,government must directly hear from us . This will never be done without us.
Community trusts must be established so that our people who are the main producers of this plant ,directly benefit ”.
“We don’t want the repeat of what happens with other crops, we used to have our own indigenous maize but today we import maize.
We must not lose our heritage, we must jealously guard it, This Bill must protect our wealth in the Eastern Cape not take it away” concluded Dalindyebo.
“As the Eastern Cape government we intend to develop a multi-billion rand industrialised cannabis value chain that enables the empowerment of small-scale farmers and the development of agro-processing co-operative hubs that focus on developing the following value chain such as seed, medicine, Building, Textile, Paper and Bio-fuel and plastic ” said the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC Nomakhosazana Meth.
“currently the department has set aside R4,5 million to assist cannabis farmers for fencing of the fields, access to trade permits making sure that we unlock this industry” said MEC Meth.
Meth further pleaded with stakeholders to make their voice heard and educate the nation about how this plant has changed their lives .
MEC encouraged the farmers to use the opportunity given to them to submit what they want to see on the Bill.
The submissions are expected to maximise the full potential and economy of this indigenous plant.
To be clear on what kind of cannabis industry we want, as we are the owners of cannabis as the Eastern Cape Province, ” she added.
One of young farmers, Philasande Mahlakatha urged fellow farmers to educate people about benefits of cannabis and
“We must demystify the stigma that has been attached to this plant for more than hundred years , this is our wealth”
“We are happy that the Council of Churches is part of this cannabis engagement , this is our gift from God and our ancestors. Lets treasure it.”
“When I look at the land, I see gold,
All those who left this province to look for greener pastures in other provinces , its time they come back home and work the land.
Chief Gwadiso said , as we engage in this cannabis journey we must ensure that even if we form partnerships they must be watertight so that we don’t lose our wealth . We must benefit directly and Phondoland seed will always be the best “
Representing traditional healers, Greekson Zweni said “ the Bill regulates us in the number of trees that we must plant and that will not assist us. We therefore not accepting this Bill,”
The delegates agreed in unison that this Bill must not talk to private use only , it must also include commercialisation of the cannabis
In closing MEC Meth informed the stakeholders that Lusikisiki College will do training on cannabis as Lusikisiki is the Cannabis capital of the Eastern Cape Province.
“We will also have cannabis ambassadors programme so that we give you a platform to educate and share with the nation the valuable knowledge , rich and deep understanding that you have shared with us here. These engagements are an eye opener to all of us.”
by Olwetu Batyi | Nov 24, 2020 | atp1
By Thozi kaManyisana
Cannabis is the gold of Pondoland
The Cannabis is the “gold” of the Pondoland and government should ensure it is developed to benefit the people who have been cultivating and selling it illegal to make ends meet. This was the general feeling of the Pondoland people according to a local chief
Representing AmaMpondo King Zanozuko Sigcau during the Stakeholder Engagement for the Cannabis Bill for Private Purposes held in Lusikisiki, Chief Gcinilifu Mdutshane of Xhopozo village in Flagstaff said they have been cultivating Cannabis for ages and “people are sceptical about new development around it.”
“There is a perception that by introducing this Bill the government want to take away the only thing that we have, the gold of Pondoland.
Let us hope that perception is a myth as we want this to be developed and bring us wealth. People need to be taught about the laws and what is expected of them hence this gathering is important,” Chief Mdutshane said.
The engagement was hosted by the MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) MEC Nomakhosazana Meth and was attended by mayors and councillors as well as the farmers, professionals and the Rastafari community.
The stakeholders heard the outline of the Bill, impact of the Bill on traditional leaders, traditional healers and farmers while they had a breakaway session where they debated some of the submissions to the Bill.
Speakers took turns to decry how the Pondoland people “suffered” through the hands of police, with Lulama Nogele from Emantlaneni village, which is one of the popular places producing Cannabis in the region saying “we want those in jail to be back and assist us to plant because they are experienced producers.”
An emotional Wonga Bolotina of Mfundisweni said producing Cannabis was a “history of the Pondo people. We should not be taken for granted and decision be taken on our behalf like the planting of four trees per person. We want to plough Cannabis without any restrictions and we want our dignity to be restored.”
Philasande Mahlakana echoed the need for allowing people to grow more plants and be allowed to sell because “producing Cannabis has always been a business for us.
Not everyone has a place, time or passion to plant but they need to use it hence the law should allow massive production and sales.”
Abambo farm owner, Yolisa Ntola said she was already extracting oil from the Cannabis and is producing the canna oil, which can relieve pain, reduce anxiety, reduce insomnia among others.
“I have already applied for the permit to cultivate but since the lockdown, I have not yet received a feedback. In keeping with what government says ‘about doing something before you get support’ I decided to start cultivating and extract oil from the Cannabis,” she said.
MEC Meth said she wanted to “ensure” the Pondoland people that government “will not take away this wonder plant, which you have protected for a long time.”
She went to tell a story on how she was shown a documentary during a benchmarking visit to Canada that showed the Pondoland people working on their Cannabis, adding that “the Canadians also agree that the Pondoland Cannabis is the best in the whole world.”
“We are with you and we are supporting you because we see you as heroes who have fought for this green gold to be legally produced and we thank you for your backbone. I do not think you know how respected are we by the nations because you have healed many people through production of Cannabis and we gathered here to hear what Pondo people are saying about your heritage,” said Meth.
To a loud applause, she announced that EXCO has approved the Lusikisiki College to become an institution that will train people about the different uses of Cannabis”.
She said the aim was to see “poorest of the poor” developing themselves through Cannabis, adding that the indigenous knowledge of the Pondoland people “will not be erased because you are the trendsetters and you should be proud of yourselves.”
Speaking about the Bill, Meth said it only concentrated on the private use only without touching on the commercialization of the plant and the aim of the provincial government was to see commercialization of the Cannabis through cultivation and processing.
Some of the issues raised during the session included a need to form an association that will assist in lobbying for rights of the Cannabis farmers while the stakeholders said the Bill should also touch on industrialization of Cannabis.
There was a feeling that the licensing of producing Cannabis should be “inclusive” and be cheaper so that ordinary farmers can be able to form part of development.
The gathering was joined by Deputy Minister for Small Business Development Zoleka Capa who hailed the gathering as a “very good” initiative, adding that the National Economic Transformation Cluster Committee has identified Cannabis as “one of the priorities.”
“We have agreed that Cannabis production is one of economic drivers in the Eastern Cape, especially in the Pondoland. We have not yet reached the commercialization stage, which is a need by the MEC and our people but we are encouraged by the steps being taken,” Capa said.
Technical advisory committee member Prince Leslie Sigcau said the submission made will be put together with the issues that will be raised in the other engagements that will be held in Port Elizabeth and Mthatha next week.
He said a this will form province’s input on the Bill, adding that individuals and organizations are permitted to make their own submissions.
Sigcau said from the submission made “it is clear a lot of work needs to be done by the crafters of the Bill so that it talks directly to the development of rural livelihoods”
by Olwetu Batyi | Nov 18, 2020 | atp1
EC to create multi-billion Cannabis business
By Thozi kaManyisana
The Eastern Cape provincial government is committed in developing a multi-billion industrialised cannabis value chain in a province that was referred to as the “dagga capital of South Africa.”
This was revealed by the MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) Nomakhosazana Meth during the Provincial Top Management Stakeholder Engagement for the 2020 Cannabis Bill for Private Purposes held at the East London ICC.
“We intend to develop a multi-billion-rand industrialised cannabis value chain that enables the empowerment of small-scale farmers and the development of agro-processing co-operative hubs.
She said the hubs will focus in value chains that include seed, medicine, Bio-fuel and plastic, building, textile and paper, adding that the province has had a number of people exceeding any other province using this plant for their economic survival.
“Cannabis offers an opportunity unprecedented in South Africa’s history since the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand in 1886 as South Africa’s much maligned and excluded green gold, with massive potential to birth a new sunrise industry to lift us out of economic recession, poverty and unemployment.
“The potential for cannabis in our province and the country is enormous. Our province has drought-resistant acclimatised genetic strains that have naturalised over hundreds of years, combined with tens of thousands of existing farmers who are familiar with the crop and how to grow it,” she said.
She said the first cannabis engagement held in August last year, “agreed to boldly pace into this green future and design systems that allow us to live within our economic and ecological limits.”
Meth briefed the stakeholders about the work done by DRDAR “in building a foundation for the development of this lucrative industry” including tasking the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA) to develop a framework, strategy and business case for cannabis in the Province.
ECRDA was allocated R4,5 million to support farmers with permits to acquire seed and fencing and to establish a Cannabis Technical Advisory Team to provide the scientific knowledge, commercial expertise, capacity building, training and investment mobilization required to unlock this sunrise industry for the Eastern Cape.
Furthermore, the department is coordinatines by establishing technical production teams, awareness campaigns, business and implementation plans, infrastructure requirements and application for Cannabis sativa production license for growers.
She said Cannabis education and training is critical and a proposal was made to the Executive Council (EXCO) for the formation of a Cannabis research, training and development programme to be hosted in the old Lusikisiki Teachers’ College.
“We are developing a 5-year cannabis research, training and development plan for the establishment of this entity . This will provide critical support to this emerging industry,” said Meth
She said the province’s inputs on the Bill, which aims to regulate the cultivation, possession and use of cannabis and cannabis plants by adults for personal use as well as protect adults and children against the harm of cannabis was due on November 30.
The gathering was graced by Social Development MEC Siphokazi Lusithi and Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs Xolile Nqata, DRDAR Portfolio Committee Chairperson Dr Fundisile Bese as well as Executive Mayors, Councillors, Cannabis lobby groups ,leadership of government departments and legal experts.
The event saw stakeholders engaging on the contents of the Bill including perceived socio and legal shortfalls, potential impact on farmers and traditional healers, economic potential in the province, public health and actions to development Cannabis framework.
MEC Mani- Lusithi, during the question and answer session, called for “social lobbying” that will reach out to all stakeholders including medical doctors, religious and traditional leaders and social workers “so that we can talk about facts more than perceptions and demistfy Cannabis.”
“We need to check the impact of social and welfare and reposition the plant in the society as it is normally linked with chemical drugs like mandrax,” she said.
Well-known Cannabis legalisation activist Prince Garreth, emphasised that the Bill must be discussed by both the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) and National Parliament.
This will ensure that inputs from provinces can be considered hence it is imperative that the province makes a submission for the Bill involve the input of the provinces,” he said.
As it stands the Bill will not be sent to the NCOP ,the provinces’ inputs will be sent to the National Assembly before it is sent to the President to be made law
Speaking about the impact of the Bill in the life of the indigenous farmers in the Pondoland, Philasande Mhlakata of the Pondoland Cannabis Corp said she was “excited” about the legislation that will “allow us to live with what we have been supported with.
“People in the Pondoland were raised and taken to schools using dagga-raised money and seeing this initiative by government, we are surely going to develop more.
“This is a great opportunity that will allow people to take control of their lives by making a living for themselves by being allowed to lawfully sell Cannabis. We do not want to be dependent on grants but we want to make our money and sustain our families,” she said.
A traditional healer, Greekson Zweni said they were using the Cannabis for medicinal, spiritual healing and animal feed, especially for poultry.
“We are using it as a booster and energizer for healers and it is known for treatment of Epilepsy, Asthma, Insomnia and Pain Management and others hence we need it in large quantities.
“Traditional healers are not all growers of Cannabis hence limiting supply as the Bill is proposing will result in delayed healing,” Zweni said.
Traditional leader Prince Leslie Sigcau “Cannabis cultivation and consumption forms both history and culture for famers under Traditional Authorities in the rural Eastern Cape.
“In its present form, the Private Use Bill is restrictive to traditional cannabis farming practices, thus affecting livelihoods of communities under traditional authority.”
He said the traditional leadership has undertaken to unpack the present Cannabis Bill for Private Use, listen to farmers, traditional healers and traditional leadership as well as gather and interpret their views and wishes of community to “make a meaningful contribution that can be used by government” in the finalization of the Bill.
Nicholas Heinamann from the Director Afristar Cannabis Lobby Group, who is part of the technical advisory team, said the Cannabis had multi-economic benefits from the flower where one gets medical and recreational benefits.
He said the seed was capable of creating bio-fuel, plastic and can be used for personal care in the form of food while the flower is used for medicinal products and recreational use, the stalk can make clothing, paper, building material and bedding.
Heinamann said on average a farmer can get R175 00 per hector while the plant had socio economic potential that included but not limited to affordable health care, immune boosting food and petroleum replacement.
He said the value chain of Cannabis, which start from cultivation, harvesting, processing, creation of smokable flower and flower processing, refining, manufacturing of health and beauty products, distribution and retail was “so lucrative” and can create jobs.
He added that Cannabis will establish a “new pathway for rural development” and develop agro-processing cooperatives hubs and enable empowerment of small-scale farmers, adding that local markets should be developed.
“We need rapid industrialization of Cannabis,” Heinamann said.
Mr Zweni gave a detailed explanation on the use of Cannabis for traditional healing .
Speaking about the Cannabis for the public health in the province, Dr Shiksha Gallow said there was “need to remove the stigma associated with Cannabis,” adding that her presentation was based on medical research.
“It is a healing plant not a drug. It cannot be compared to alcohol as some speakers did before me. The addiction cannot be equated to cocaine, heroin or alcohol ,” she said.
Gallow further advised that should Cannabis be utilized patients will have “access to affordable healthcare in rural and remote areas.”
Speaking for the Rastafari community, Mzamo Dayimane said they “give thanks” to the consultation concerning the Bill that will allow use of Cannabis but they are opposing the Bill as it “overly regulating the use of our sacred plant.”
“We totally oppose the Bill as it is infringing the right to use our sacrament plant because for us it is a spiritual tree and that is not addressed in that level in this Bill.
“If this Bill is over regulated it takes away the right of indigenous people. As the Eastern Cape government and the people we have to come together and chart the way on how we make our voice heard because Cannabis is mostly used here,” said Dayimane.
DDG for Agriculture Development Leon Coetzee said he was “very encouraged by the passion shown by the stakeholders here and I learnt a lot.
“There is no doubt in my mind that there can be anyone here who can doubt the potential of this industry, it is there.
“We need to put our ducks in the row aand we do not need to under estimate that knowledge and existing systems,” he said.
Coetzee said DRDAR will make submission to the Department of Justice that will cover what is raised in the engagements but he said “individual organisations” can also make their own submissions,
Making vote of thanks, MEC Nqata said he “expressed gratitude” on behalf of the provincial government to MEC Meth for leading a gathering that came with “clear and incisive” means on what should be done to collectively develop the Cannabis industry.
“You are putting together a plan that will ensure our people benefit. We should use Cannabis as the gold to change the economic picture of this province. I am happy traditional leaders are part of this gathering so that they can understand land should be used to benefit the communities not to be sold to the highest bidders,” he said.
by Olwetu Batyi | Nov 13, 2020 | atp1
Cattle farming solutions expected from revamped dip tank
MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Nomakhosazana Meth officially handed over a dipping tank to be used by three villages under Qutsa Administrative Area in Tsomo.
The handover of the facility came at a time where Nyokana, Ndungwana and Shweni communities were experiencing rampant stock theft and tick borne diseases which affected their livestock.
Speaking during the hand over, the MEC encouraged farmers to take care of their livestock.
“The department runs a livestock improvement programme. The programme doesn’t only talk about genetic improvement of animals but it touches even on animal health –one of the factors that determine the quality of animals,” said Meth.
Livestock farmers in the area said they were faced with the challenge of livestock theft, tick borne diseases, lack of animal branding, and vaccination.
According to Mzwamadoda Elefu, chairperson for the Qutsa Village dip committee their problems began when the dipping tank they were using started collapsing three years ago. Due to this, livestock registration, vaccinations and dipping ceased.
“We were suddenly overwhelmed with cases of stray cattle which were easy to steal because they weren’t registered. Other farmers lost huge numbers of their cattle because of diseases that broke out after we had stopped dipping and we suffered major losses,” he added.
MEC Meth said she expected the local farmers to go back to the old ways of communal livestock farming where all animals of a particular area were branded and recorded in the books of the dip committee to curb cases of stock theft.
One of the farmers, Nonzame Nketo who had identified a market for hides said her customers complained about the quality of the hides she sold to them.
Nketo buys hides from locals and sells them to neighbouring towns for processing.
“The dilapidation of the cattle dipping tank had far reaching impact even on those who just buy cattle for slaughtering because the meat was of inferior quality and so were the hides that I specialize on. Cattle suddenly grew tumors that turned into sores,” said Nketo.
Dr Tafadzwa Chimbwande of the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform added that cattle that weren’t dipped stood a greater chance of contracting tick-borne diseases like the redwater, anaplasmosis and other parasitic diseases.
But the renovated cattle dip tank in Ndungwane Village is expected to bring solutions to all the challenges identified by the farmers.
The dip tank consists of two separate pans to be used for vaccination, animal branding, registration and castration.
MEC Meth said her department would ensure accessibility of state veterinarians and animal health technicians to further transfer basic animal health skills to locals.
The renovations of the facility were carried out by youths from the three villages through the EPWP programme.
