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.
by Olwetu Batyi | Nov 2, 2020 | atp1
Bushula to lead Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development(YARD )
Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) MEC Nomakhosazana Meth called on youth in the agricultural sector to be united because government needed “feel” their existence through the impact they make in food security.
“We want to see the youth vibrancy and visibility. Actually, we want to feel that you are indeed involved in food security. There are many opportunities in this industry as both the provincial and national governments are saying agriculture is the game changer. The future is bright when the youth is in the forefront and I am proud of you. Now it is the time for youth to take leadership in this sector,” she said.
The MEC was speaking during the launch of the provincial Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development (YARD) structure held the NYDA premises in Mthatha where youth from all district gathered to elect a provincial leadership.
She said she was also proud that the young people that “are walking the talk and are already creating jobs.”
“The energy and knowledge of these youngsters will bring change in this sector. Youth should be able to make contribution to issues that affect their future hence I am happy to see you. It is critical to equip youth with skills to create jobs. We do not want young people with business that is not sustainable hence we will assist you,” she said to loud applause.
Chief Director for District Coordination Hamilton Ntsabo said DRDAR “saw it fit” to organise young people in the sector to form a structure so that they can be “united with the vision of ensuring food security.
“We are building the nation by ensuring young people are united so that we can hear and understand their needs and their contribution so that we provide the much needed support collectively. We are serious about creating young generation of farmers and this structure will ensure that,” he said.
The structure, led by award-winning youth farmer from Stutterheim, Mlungisi Sonwabile Bushula is tasked with stimulating the thinking of youth to acknowledge and take agriculture, forestry and fisheries as a commercial venture.
They are mandated to expand youth participation in the sector and facilitate the provision of support including agriculture extension and advisory, mentorship as well as entrepreneurial and business skills.
Bushula, who is into forestry and game farming, said the youth “feels honoured and privileged” that DRDAR has organised them so that they can have a structure that will “unlock the potential and support ” young people.
“I am happy that, all of us in this committee are active in agriculture so we will be showcasing our work to encourage others to join in.
“I want to make this sector to be attractive and vibrant among young people so that we can change the current demographics that are currently dominated by the elderly.
“We will empower the existing projects so that we can encourage young people to see agriculture as a career and lucrative business ,” he said.
The YARD committee is made of young people that are in poultry, crop, vermiculture, piggery, vegetables, forestry, game farming and livestock
by Olwetu Batyi | Oct 26, 2020 | atp1
Agriculture is a business and you can make life out of it
The department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) will assist 28-year-old Yonela Ndzoboyi with a borehole for irrigation purposes where he plants different kinds of vegetables, MEC Nomakhosana Meth announced.
She was speaking during a visit to the Lencolin Green Project in Ludeke Village in Bizana,“inspired and impressed” by work done by Ndzoboyi an agriculture graduate who “chose doing business instead of seeking employment.”
“We are proud to have people of this caliber, who are focused and have vision to develop others. I am inspired and impressed about how this young man is showing his love for agriculture hence the department will assist by drilling a borehole so that the good work can continue.
“We want to create a generation of farmers and Yonela has showed us that, that is possible,” said Meth.
The visit and the event at Ludeke forms part of the Provincial government’s celebration of the birth of the late political activist Tata Oliver Tambo, who attended his primary school in Ludeke.
Ndzoboyi, an Agriculture Management graduate, says he was “inspired by my late father. I say I was raised to become a farmer, as everyone in this village knew how I used to hold a plough from young age when we using cattle to plant.
“I started this initiative from the funds I saved from the stipend I received when I was doing my in-service training. I was offered a job to manage a farm in Pretoria but I chose to do my own business instead of making someone else a millionare,” said the spirited young person.
He told the farmers and the community members attending the event that the industry “needs someone who does research, willing to share ideas and be exposed in good agricultural practices.”
After telling the MEC that he used to use his father’s cattle to prepare land before plant, she said “you are leaving example that its laziness that make people not venture into things because of the condition they are faced with.”
The project markets and sells its produce to hawkers, Boxer Store in Bizana and the community. The department assisted with mechanization, planting inputs and pesticides.
“All I can say about this department is that, I appreciate what it has done for me since I started in 2007. I also preach that ‘agriculture is a business and you can make life out of it.”
Development in the project includes planting of potatoes in 5ha of land in a partnership with Potato SA, this has been facilitated by DRDAR.
