MEC Pieters to deliver tools, inputs to develop smallholder enterprises
In a bid to continue fulfilling government commitment to develop small businesses in the textile industry and home food garden production, Eastern Cape Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC Nonkqubela Pieters will handover industrial machines, agricultural inputs and tools business owners in Bathurst on Monday morning.
The handing over of the machines is the continuous process that seeks to develop smallholder enterprises to produce quality fabric and make profits that will enhance job creation.
The enterprises, operated by women that will receive industrial machines and overlookers, are part of the 19 enterprises that will benefit from programme in this financial year in the Sarah Baartman District and the Nelson Mandela Metro but the MEC will handover others at a later date.
In 2022/23 financial year a total of 201 Industrial sewing machines were handed over to 356 beneficiaries of this number, 91 are youth females, 36 youth males, 51 persons with disabilities, 147 adult females and 31 adult males from 103 Cooperatives.
In the 2023/24 financial year, a total of 103 cooperatives is being supported sewing machines to improve their rural and urban economy with a total budget of R2 million.
Furthermore, about 20 vegetable production entities will receive a variety of high-quality seedlings and garden tools so that they can develop and be able to sell quality products in the market.
This is part of homestead food security interventions aimed to reduce the scourge of poverty and it builds household capacity to produce own food by supplying them with food production inputs.
From 2009 to date a total the of 205 038 households have been supported by the Departmennt with production packs such as seeds and seedlings, potato seeds, maize, poultry feed, poultry medication, chicks and fertilisers.
Members of the media are invited to cover this event where the MEC will handover enablers for economic empowerment and development.
Details of the event:
Venue: Nolukhanyo Community Hall, Bathurst Date: 04 March 2023
Time: 9am
For more information, and to RSVP, please contact:
Nonkoliseko Msutu (Assistant Director: Corporate Communication)
Cell: 082 771 7246
Mvusiwekhaya Sicwetsha (Chief Director: Communications and Customer Care)
Cell: 082 955 8833
