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”