2010/11 Policy and Budget Vote Speech delivered by Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Land Administration and Rural Development MEC M Malinga, Mpumalanga provincial Legislature
21 May 2010
Theme: Making the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme a reality
Honourable Speaker
Honourable Premier, Mr DD Mabuza
Honourable Deputy Speaker
Honourable Members of the Executive Council
Honourable Members of the Legislature
Abaholi bomdabu,amakhosi endabuko
Abalimi nosomabhizinisi
Organized labour
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Honourable Speaker, One realises that the multi - functional character of the Agricultural Sector as a spring board for the revitalisation and ultimate industrialisation is where the potential exist to creating vibrant and self sustaining rural economies. Rural economies with improved social cohesion wherein individual citizens are afforded equal opportunity to participate and take charge of their own development and thus contribute to the overall economic development of the province.
I am indeed privileged for the trust and
confidence bestowed upon me by Government by mandating the department to lead
and coordinate the implementation of the Comprehensive Rural Development
Programme. As we look back at the previous financial year – we are proud
at how we embraced the new mandate and our swift response in implementing the
comprehensive rural development programme at Mkhondo as a pilot. The lessons
learnt from the pilot project will assist the province in planning carefully as
we roll out to other municipalities.
Honourable Speaker, before I proceed any further, I would
like to present to the house the two ladies; Ms Ipelleng Maroo and Ms Buyisile
Thwala who are now trained as agricultural engineers and have been supported by
the department in their studies with the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Currently,
they are attached with a Consulting Engineering Firm for mentoring and
assistance towards the registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa
as professionals. I would also like to acknowledge the commitment, effort and
hard work of two farmers who have put Mpumalanga Province on the map. I welcome
Mr Sam Nkosi a competitive broiler producer and Mr George Mthombeni apples
producer both from Gert Sibande District.
Honourable Speaker, The agricultural sector is one of the
key strategic stakeholders for contributing towards Vibrant, Equitable;
Sustainable Rural Communities and Contributing towards Food Security for All.
However, the reality is that the most rural areas, especially those in the
former homelands continue to be marginalised economically and are highly
dependent on social grants. Delays in the land restitution
process have effectively frozen food production on large areas of land. Many
farm owners have stopped long-term investments due to the uncertainty with the
outcome of the restitution process. The Minister of Rural Development and Land
Reform, Mr Nkwinti has acknowledged that much of the land that has exchanged
hands, is no longer productive and has not created economic benefit for the many
new owners. Mpumalanga has not been excluded from this reality.
Honourable Speaker, The rural situation in South Africa is
still characterised by contradictions; there are well developed areas and the
former homelands and other deep rural areas, where the majority of our people,
especially rural women, continue to live in conditions of degradation and
poverty. This must change.
We promised on the Comprehensive Rural Development
Programme (CRDP) and now we are implementing this programme. The department is
committed to achieving Vibrant, Equitable and Sustainable Rural Communities.
The implementation of the CRDP is creating a new Vibrancy around working together, involving communities, the three spheres of government; inter departmental co-corporation and the private sector.
The comprehensive rural development programme aims at enabling communities to become central to their own development. “Nothing about us without us.” As a department we will strife to ensure that all our stakeholders remain committed to the cause of the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme by driving the process to realise the desired outcomes of this national priority. For South Africa to shine, we must have shining South Africans.
Honourable Speaker, The ANC on the occasion of the 97th
National Conference stated that “Unemployment in the rural areas is
disproportionately high, and many rural areas lack basic infrastructure such as
roads, water and electricity supply. These conditions force people to migrate to
urban areas in search of a better life”. This must change!
The department’s commitment to pro-poor economic growth remains a key priority for the medium term. We commit to upscale social and economic infrastructure development for rural farm communities, in line with the stated objectives of the African National Congress.
Honourable Speaker, Minister Nkwinti stated in his 2010/11 budget speech that “land is a national asset” and that is where the debate about agrarian change, land reform and rural development should begin.
The review of the land tenure system during the Medium
Term Strategic Framework period is imperative to ensure that the aspirations of
all South Africans are regarded, and that land ownership is deracialised.
Current land reform initiatives, including the Land and Agricultural Reform
Programme, are in the process of being strengthened and expanded to create
sustainable livelihoods on a massive scale.
Honourable Speaker, the finalisation of the Green Paper on Agrarian Transformation, Rural Development and Land Reform and the CRDP provincial strategy is underway. The Green Paper that is dealt with by national department will soon be presented to the Cabinet for consideration, and the plan is to submit it to Parliament by the end of May 2010. Once the Green Paper is ready for open debates, all Mpumalanga citizens will be availed an opportunity to have an input towards the transformation of our rural communities and the land and agrarian reform.
Honourable Speaker, Social cohesion is a direct function
of land and indigenous culture. The restriction on land has destroyed the spirit
of Ubuntu and resulted in the inability to produce enough food for own
consumption, let alone food to share with others. The department will focus on
the Agrarian and Land Reform Programme in contributing to food security and
sustainable livelihoods in line with the priorities of our Government.
Our commitment to development in line with our national priorities is imperative in realising the outcomes of the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme in the MTSF period. We are committed to the political direction given through our mandate as a department and we commit to take decisions; implement administrative processes and procedures and create institutions that will bring about the desired social cohesion and development for all South Africans in this province.
Other sectors have already suffered huge job losses. Dit
is die taak van die landbou sektor om bydrae te maak in werk skepping
geleenthede om armoede te vermy. It is argued that it is more likely that the
agricultural sector will create more jobs out of every R1million of investment
than any other sector. We have to turnaround the current scenario where
agricultural imports exceed exports, and we must ensure that the Agricultural
Sector contributes to creating one sustainable job per household.
Honourable Speaker, it is important that as we distribute
land, we provide strategies in dealing with other factors of production. Our
province is currently faced with limited water resources whereby our major water
catchment areas the Olifant’s and Inkomati Rivers are highly stretched; there is
a huge deficit in terms of supply and demand. The Mpumalanga Province is having
less than 20% of crop potential land and most of this land is about to be lost
to other sectors like mining, industrialisation, settlement. All these affect
the growth of the agriculture and the rural economies in the provinces and
ultimately food security.
The implementation of Rural Development Linked to Land and
Agrarian Refor as a priority and the realisation of the
Vibrant, Equitable; Sustainable Rural Communities and Contributing towards Food
Security for All as aligned with the outcomes 7 of the MTSF will go a long way
in addressing these rural dynamics .
Review of 2009/10
Administration and Good Governance
Honourable Speaker, in response to the key priority area
of building a developmental state including the improvement of the public
service, the department continues to fight corruption and abuse of state
resources. A number of arrests were made after a series of investigations on
fraudulent activities. In addressing the administrative challenges during the
investigations and after the arrests, a number of administrative functions were
centralised to Head Office to ensure that controls are monitored. The department
will continue to work with law enforcement agencies to ensure that those guilty
of corruption will be prosecuted. The department will strife to recover any loss
of state resources as a result of fraudulent activities.
Comprehensive Rural Development Programme
I am pleased to report that working together with our
social partners and sister departments within a very short space; we managed to
coordinate the implementation of the following:
Through the Masibuyele Emasimini programme we assisted with the establishment of 164 backyard gardens and more than 2 500 hectares were put back into production. A comprehensive feasibility study on the suitability of the 8 300 hectares has been concluded with very informative soil suitability and irrigation potential map in place. As part of the rural development strategies, the department has also established a silo and mill to ensure processing within the local communities to reduce costs for logistics and increase beneficiation.This intervention will assist the communities of Emahhashini, Donkerhoek, Driefontein and KwaNgema in storing and processing their produce at the new Drieforntein mill. In order to promote sustainable resource use, improve farm planning and reduce loss of livestock through road accidents and theft, the programme also provided 265km boundary and infield camp fencing. The intergrated livestock improvement programme is already being implemented.
Our province as part of the rural development strategy has
prioritised access roads and I am pleased to announce that working with
Department of Public Works Roads and Transport, we managed to achieve this
objective. This has enabled the Department of Health to provide primary health
care services through mobile clinics to some of these communities who had to
walk more than 20km to access clinics before. Profiling these households would
have not been possible without the quick intervention from the access roads
initiatives. Working with the Department Social
Development the province has managed to establish four early childhood
development centers, care giving facilities to vulnerable individuals.
We are working closely with the Department of Basic
Education in coming up with a vehicle in addressing the challenges faced by the
school going children living in farms hence a feasibility study for a boarding
facility around Amsterdam is underway. As part of the CRDP job creation and
skills training model, 290 unemployed young people have completed the Mpumalanga
Regional Training Trust building and hospitality training programmes and now
taking part in the construction of the houses for their community as part of the
learnership programme. The learners have also taken part in renovating the old
mine houses in the area to establish an integrated service centre where
government services are to be rendered. This is a true testimony that
communities are now becoming more central to their own development.
Provision of social services has not been easy to some of
these communities due to lack of documentation which is one of the difficulties
faced by many of our farm dwellers. We facilitated the provision of Home Affairs
services to more than 300 people in remote areas. One of the most disturbing
issues about the pilot area was the state of shelters in which households
resided in. Working with Human Settlements and MRTT,
155 houses are at the completion stage. About 100 solar
systems are to be installed as part of energy saving mechanism and taking into
consideration that these communities cannot afford the monthly electricity
bills.
Honourable Speaker, the insecurity of tenure of the more
than 10 000 dwellers in the forest plantations is also a major concern for
government. The planning phase for the development of two agri-villages in
partnership with Mondi and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform
is already at an advanced stage. This will resolve the challenges holistically
and create vibrant and sustainable communities. We have also listened to the
farming community in that area and realised comprehensive development is not
possible without water, I am pleased to announce that in partnership with
Department of Water Affairs, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture, Rural
Development and Environment, Government of Swaziland, the feasibility study for
the development of the dam is at advance stage and according to the plan the
implementation will commence at the end of the 2011/12 financial year. To
graduate and diversify our rural economics and taking advantage of the backward
and forward linkages as well as the richness of the natural resources in
Mkhondo, the planning of the establishment of water bottling plant, brick making
factory and eco-tourism facility is at advanced stages. All these initiatives
have afforded more than 1 000 people from Mkhondo an opportunity to have a
sustainable household income for the next two years.
Honourable Speaker, indeed the implementation of the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme has taken a holistic approach; which will create vibrant settlements which are economic hubs for small-scale farmers and SMMEs. However, we are convinced that we can achieve more.
To ensure that as government and private sector we are
able to plan together and effectively implement joint programmes, the production
of the green paper by the National Department of Rural Development and Land
Reform, my department will co-ordinate a consultative process in order to come
up with a jointly owned implementation strategy.
Masibuyele Emasimini (Food Security)
Honourable Speaker, last year we promised that Masibuyele
Emasimini will be rolled out to all the municipalities. We managed to reach all
our municipalities, although fell short to reach our target in terms of the area
covered. The reason can be attributed to amongst other reasons: late rainy
season and the demand for more backyard cultivation which is less efficient. We
managed to assist 37 210 households through the mechanisation and production
inputs support covering more than 35 000 hectares. The support has reached out
to 15% of the targeted population in the province. Masibuyele Emasimini has
created 305 jobs on tractor operators, mechanics, security guards and fleet
managers.
In Up-scaling the food security programme; value adding interventions such as silos and mills were established in six municipalities. The prioritisation of these municipalities was based on the poverty levels and the needs of these communities. To meet the needs of those who live under abject poverty, the department still has a long way to go in order to can reach our goal of halving poverty by 2015.
Agriculture Infrastructure Development
To facilitate agricultural development in the province, the importance of the investment in agricultural infrastructure cannot be over emphasised. During the last financial year, we managed to upgrade the capacity of Mbuzini Dam in the Nkomazi Municipality. In the sugarcane belt, the revitalisation of the five irrigation schemes continued although it has been hampered by huge delays due to the poor performance of our emerging contractors. The revitalisation of the 131 hectares, Hoxane irrigation in Bushbuckridge commenced whereby the flood system is being converted into the drip which increases irrigation efficiencies. To diversify our agricultural economy, a honey processing plant was established at Mathafeni in Mbombela. Sizolwethu poultry project has been initiated in Nkomazi as part of the youth development in agriculture and will be completed in the second quarter of this financial year.
As part of the development of the poultry industry in province, the department has managed to establish 3 environmentally controlled broiler houses and completed other 6 convectional houses. This investment has enabled the yearly increase of broiler production by more 1,2 million birds in the Steve Tshwete, Thembisile Hani, Dr JS Moroka, and Emalahleni municipalities. The major producers have been linked to Rossgro abattoir in Delmas under the contract farming principle.
The department managed to complete all the 42.5 hectares
of irrigation infrastructure to support apple producers in Albert Luthuli and
Msukwaligwa municipalities. Two poultry projects in Mkhondo and Albert Luthuli
while a mushroom project in Dipaliseng municipality were completed.
More than 7 584 households have benefited directly from these infrastructure projects. The department is continuously working with financial institutions and investors for the provision of production capital.
Veterinary Services
Honourable Speaker, in controlling animal diseases that
impact on trade and public health, we successfully contained and eradicated a
Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak in Nsikazi. We continued with the massive
vaccination and awareness campaign against Rabies, a fatal disease of animals
and humans. In order to increase access to veterinary services in the rural
areas, three state of the art veterinary mobile hospitals were delivered in
addition to the established mobile clinic points. May I invite you Honourabe
Speaker and the house to view one of these veterinary mobile hospitals after the
proceedings at our exit.
Honourable Speaker allow me to further acknowledge the
Chief Director Dr Kloeck, for his contribution and hard work in the public
service who retires this year after 35 years unbroken service.
Land Administration
The department is working towards unlocking the potential within our vast natural resources. Honourable Speaker, it is the department’s mandate to administer land development to ensure that more people get title deeds. We are effectively regulating land use outside formal towns and facilitating pre –and post settlement options on restituted land, land reform projects and state land.
The department managed to facilitate the finalisation of 3 000 sites at Standerton within the Lekwa Local Municipality. The department will coordinate with the Department of Human Settlement which will build houses on the approved sites for intended beneficiaries. Surveying of 124 sites at Siyathemba Extension 2, situated within the Lekwa Local Municipality, was finalised. Conveyancing of erven to beneficiaries is in progress at Matsulu C situated within the Mbombela Local Municipality. A total of 1 279 transfers have been lodged at the Registrar of Deeds.
We need to appreciate the sterling and leading role played by both the Mpumalanga Development Tribunal in conducting 18 hearings and the Mpumalanga Townships Board for holding 12 hearings throughout the year to evaluate and finalise development applications.
Skills Development
Honourable Speaker, The Lowveld College of Agriculture is
becoming an institution of choice, the college recorded an increase of 17% in
its enrolment, and currently the college is responsible for the development of
248 students.
We are also proud to announce that through our jewel the
agricultural college we were able to engage with the private sector and I am
pleased to confirm that the department is looking forward to welcome the first
intake of students in the forestry and animal disciplines from the beginning of
the 2012 academic year.
Honourable Speaker, through the Vula’matfuba, the
department in partnership with the Office of the Premier and the Department of
Education has awarded 114 bursaries to address the scarce and critical skills in
the sector. A further 62 bursary holders, mainly internal staff have been given
an opportunity to upgrade their skills in various disciplines. The departmental
internship programme has created an opportunity for 80 students to acquire work
experience. A further 90 interns will be deployed on the CRDP nodal areas as
identified by the province.
Ngokusebenzisa uhlelo “Extention Recovery Plan” umnyango
uphumelele ukusiza abasebenzi bonyango, okungama “extention officers” ukuze
bakhuphule izifundo zabo kwizikhungo zezemfundo ezahlukahlukene ukuqondanisa
amakhono kanye nezinsiza okumele zinikezelwe kum’phakathi wasemakkhaya
Overview 2010/11
Administration and Good Governance
Honourable speaker, in order to can achieve our mandate,
the department will continue to realign it resources and remain relevant to the
priorities of our government. In responding to the challenges of an integrated
planning and service delivery at local level, the department has established an
organogram to ensure effective co-ordination and the implementation of the
programmes. And further more, in order to ensure that there is complete
compliance and good governance the department will soon be filling the critical
posts such as Internal Audit and Risk Management. The department will align to
the planning, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms informed by the Green Paper
on Planning from the office of the presidency to improve on the accountability
and service delivery.
Comprehensive Rural Development Programme
Honourable Speaker, as one of the key government priorities, which are geared towards creating sustainable rural communities, the department will continue acting as an initiator, facilitator, coordinator and catalyst to ensure that all spheres of government and the private sector join hands in the implementation of the comprehensive rural development programme. Presently, plans are afoot to ensure that CRDP is spread to various municipalities which are also poverty stricken. We will also continue to engage the private sector in the quest to exhort them to invest in rural development as part of their social investment initiatives. The programme will be rolled out to Albert Luthuli, Dr JS Moroka, Bushbuckridge, Nkomazi, Pixley ka Seme and Thembisile Hani municipalities for 2010/11. As we continue in working in an integrated manner, major focus in these municipalities will be the provision of houses, provision of clean water, support to food production, agro-processing, access roads, establishment of early child development centres, home-based care centres, registration of our citizens and many other initiatives targeting the first level of the CRDP model of meeting the basic needs. The province has committed itself towards the creation of at least 10 000 jobs in all these seven CRDP municipalities.
Masibuyele Emasimini (Food Security)
In addressing the issue of food security and job creation, the department will continue to support the rural economies with the mechanisation services, production inputs and expert advice towards the food production. As a result of the success stories of the mechanisation programme, I would like to inform the house that the department has been seen as a model in the provision of mechanisation support to the complex rural communities. The department has already assisted the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo province in crafting their mechanisation policies.
I would like to appeal to all stakeholders to assist in ensuring that the programme continues to bare fruits. Let us join hands in ensuring that farmers weed their crops and avoid any losses as these are public funds. This financial year we have committed to reach at least 25% of the deserving population covering 86 000 ha.
The department has already partnered with Statistics South Africa and the University of Pretoria to come up with baseline information for proper monitoring and evaluation of this programme which will include measurement of the crop yields.
Agriculture Infrastructure Development
The people of Mpumalanga have voiced their concern about
the failing land reform programme and the need for government to support the
emerging commercial farmers. Through the Comprehensive Agricultural Support
Programme from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the
newly introduced Recapitalisation and Development Programme from the Department
of Rural Development and Land Reform, the department will continue revitalising
the irrigations schemes in Spoons 8, Magudu and Sibange in support for the
sustainable development of the sugarcane industry in the Nkomazi area. The
Coromandel and Champaigne land reform farms will be revitalised fully this
financial year. The Mbuzini area will also be afforded an opportunity to store
and process their maize locally through an establishment of a maize silo and
mill.
Through the partnership with the private sector, the department will be implementing an integrated poultry project whereby Amersfoort will be a processing point for production from Pixley ka Seme, Mkhondo, Lekwa and Msugalikwa.
Veterinary Services
Considering the magnitude of the FIFA Soccer World Cup which will bring in international visitors to our shores, we will be particularly vigilant and conduct numerous surveys, investigations and inspections to ensure that no new and emerging animal diseases inadvertently enter our country. Again, we are proud that a new fully equipped Animal Health Centre will be constructed in Casteel.
To improve food safety we will formally introduce the National Abattoir Rating Scheme whereby hygiene standards are continuously monitored and evaluated to determine the most hygienic poultry and red meat abattoirs in the province. This is a competition that every abattoir owner strives to win and is particularly important in view of the contribution of the meat industry to Mpumalanga Province and the National Economy as a whole.
Skills Development
The province is confronted with shocking statistics and
records are indicating that our agricultural work force only consist of 2,8
percent professionals which is a major hindrance to planning towards the
development of the sector. We will continue utilising our college for the skill
development for both young and female farmers in the
province.
In collaboration with other institutions the will support
the Mpumalanga college graduates to acquire their primary degree in deferent
agricultural science degrees
Honourable Speaker, in ensuring that the skills acquired
by extension officers reach our farmers, 24 recently qualified extension
officers are placed in the 18 municipalities of the province. In support of our
extension services, the department will continue to provide financial support to
the 222 qualifying students and internal staff to upgrade their skills and
qualifications through the Extension Recovery Plan this financial year.
Honourable Speaker, The Lowveld College of Agriculture has
approval to present accredited courses on horticulture, agronomy and vegetables
to farmers and will be implemented this financial year to address the needs of
our primary client, the emerging farmer.
There is a Chinese proverb that goes as “Give a man a fish, will feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a life time.” With the skill development support we are certain that we have invested into the future of the province.
The establishment of the provincial agriculture education and training forum (PAETF) will encourage more involvement and participation of the key stakeholders towards sound and relevant skills development programmes.
Honourable Speaker, Members and Delegates to this House, the priorities outlined above in line with the MTSF priorities will be implemented through the programmes of the department with the budget allocated for 2010/11financial year.
Administration
This programme will be providing strategic leadership and managing governance issues enabling the Department to execute its mandate in line with the MTSF priority of building a developmental state including the improvement of the public service and democratic institutions. The budget allocation for this programme is R125 466 million.
Sustainable Resource Management
In line with the MTSF priorities of Sustainable Resource
Management and Use as well as the creation of decent jobs, this programme will
be providing professional and technical support in the implementation of
agricultural infrastructure projects that ranges from planning, designing,
physical monitoring and evaluation during construction. These infrastructure
projects together with other soil conversation works and land care projects are
implemented in compliance with the sustainable resource management regulations.
The budget allocation for this programme is R50 324 million.
Farmer Support and Development
This programme houses the bulk of our service delivery and
is the face of the department. It addressed all the areas of the Rural
Development Linked to Land Agrarian Reform and Food Security. The budget
allocation for this programme is R350 826 million.
Veterinary Services
This programme seeks to address the MTSF priority of
comprehensive development strategy linked to agrarian reform and food security.
The programme will be focusing on animal health, veterinary public health,
veterinary laboratory services, and veterinary clinical services. The budget
allocation for this programme is R93 402 million.
Technology, Research and Development Services
This programme will be implementing programmes of research development and agricultural information services in line with the MTSF priority of Comprehensive development strategy to land and agrarian reform and food security. The budget allocation for this programme is R37 928 million.
Agriculture Economics
In line with the MTSF priority of Speeding up Growth and Transforming the Economy to create decent work and sustainable livelihoods, this programme will be implementing agricultural business development and support to land reform beneficiaries, the rural development programme and farmers affected by natural disasters. The budget allocation for this programme is R13 078 million.
Structured Agricultural Training
In line with the MTSF priority of strengthening our skills and human resource base, this programme offers of programmes of higher education and training and further education training in Agriculture. The budget allocation for this programme is R43 455 million.
Land Administration
This programme will be implementing, planning and surveying services, land use administration and land reform support services in order to increase access to land by the masses, in line with the MTSF priority of Comprehensive development strategy linked to land and agrarian reform and food security. The budget allocation for this programme is R23 477 million.
Honourable Speaker, I am proud to announce that the Department of Agriculture Rural Development and Land Administration has been allocated a total amount of R737 9 million for 2010/11 financial year. Together with all resources at our disposal, we will strive to streamline and realign to ensure that we do more with less – we are committed to cut on non priority spending to ensure that our allocation impacts on the lives of the rural poor.
Conclusion
I would like to call on all stakeholders of the agricultural sector, the private sector, the provincial departments, municipalities, the farming community, rural communities to join us in working together so that we can achieve more.
During my recent visit to India, I’ve learned that despite the Indian Government’s efforts to alleviate the burdens of the rural poor, many farmers are committing suicide as the gap between the rich and the poor widens, the outlays do not translate to outputs. Let’s remain vigilant of the Gap that continues to grow between the rich and the poor by ensuring that our interventions impacts on the lives of the poor. We must consistently encourage the practice of thrift, combating waste and severely punish embezzelement.
I would like to call on all officials of the department to guard against any corrupt activities as there will be no excuse for those found guilty of any corrupt actions, the full extent of the law will apply. The resources allocated to this department will be committed to the benefit of poor and the programmes put in place for this purpose.
Honourable Speaker, as we move closer to the world historic tournament “FIFA World Cup” which will be staged in the African soil, I would therefore like to take this opporunity to announce to this august house that the department in collaboration with the National Department of Rural Development and Land Reform will put public viewing screens in the five areas Emahashini, Jabulani, Bafazi, Kwangema and Donkerhoek of the pilot project at Mkhondo Local Municipality.
My gratitude goes to my Colleagues in the Cabinet, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee and the members of the legislature. Their foresight and commitment has made the comprehensive rural development programme a reality in the province and we look forward to the Vibrancy that this programme will create going forward, together we can do more.
My gratitude goes to the farmers, various stakeholders in agriculture and rural communities who are contributing to food security and rural development in the province.
I would like to thank the HOD and the staff of my department for their commitment and support together with the organised labour.
I would like to thank my wife and children for their
endless support over the past year.
Ngithokoze Khulu
Issued by: Mpumalanga Department of
Agriculture, Land Administration and Rural Development
