Skhwatsha’s visit to Nqoko family in Ugie
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Mcebisi Skhwatsha went to the household of the emotionally distressed Nqoko family who were “forcefully removed” from a farm in Ugie.
The DM visited the family, now living at the Ekuthuleni Township in Elliot to hear their plight “so that there could be a way forward.”
Family member and human rights activists, George Nqoko told a sad story of her 84-year-old aunt was removed from the farm and how this led her to losing her livestock and leave behind the family graves.
“Its painful when I think about where we come from. The old lady was just told by the new farm owner: ‘get out , Iam not buying people but Iam buying the farm.’
“This was a sad moment for the family hence we approached the Department and we are hopeful that this visit will bear positive fruits.
” We need a farm because Gogo is battling to pay the lease where she’s keeping her cattle,” he added.
The elder’s grandson Lwandile decried how they “lost school years when grandma was chased out like a dog by the new owner .
” What is more worrisome to me is that I thought I’d pursue agriculture studies as I believe passionately that my office is the farm, where I work land. But now I am forced to follow a different career, which is against my will hence. Our plea is for government to give us a farm” said Lwandile.
An emotional touched DM Skhwatsha said: “it is heart breaking that even in democracy, our people are suffering on the farms. We will follow up this matter so that the old lady does not go to the grave with a sore heart.
” We will see the way forward and come back to report to you. You have said you want a farm, we’ve heard that but I can’t commit myself. The answer will come,” he said.
The DM’s scheduled meeting with the said farmer was postponed because the farmer was involved in an accident.
Ugie-visit
Skhwatsha’s visit to Nqoko family in Ugie
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Mcebisi Skhwatsha went to the household of the emotionally distressed Nqoko family who were “forcefully removed” from a farm in Ugie.
The DM visited the family, now living at the Ekuthuleni Township in Elliot to hear their plight “so that there could be a way forward.”
Family member and human rights activists, George Nqoko told a sad story of her 84-year-old aunt was removed from the farm and how this led her to losing her livestock and leave behind the family graves.
“Its painful when I think about where we come from. The old lady was just told by the new farm owner: ‘get out , Iam not buying people but Iam buying the farm.’
“This was a sad moment for the family hence we approached the Department and we are hopeful that this visit will bear positive fruits.
” We need a farm because Gogo is battling to pay the lease where she’s keeping her cattle,” he added.
The elder’s grandson Lwandile decried how they “lost school years when grandma was chased out like a dog by the new owner .
” What is more worrisome to me is that I thought I’d pursue agriculture studies as I believe passionately that my office is the farm, where I work land. But now I am forced to follow a different career, which is against my will hence. Our plea is for government to give us a farm” said Lwandile.
An emotional touched DM Skhwatsha said: “it is heart breaking that even in democracy, our people are suffering on the farms. We will follow up this matter so that the old lady does not go to the grave with a sore heart.
” We will see the way forward and come back to report to you. You have said you want a farm, we’ve heard that but I can’t commit myself. The answer will come,” he said.
The DM’s scheduled meeting with the said farmer was postponed because the farmer was involved in an accident.