Deputy Minister Mcebisi Skwatsha hands over equipment to beneficiaries of De Paarl farm near Lichtenburg

Deputy Minister Mcebisi Skwatsha hands over equipment to successful restitution farm in North West

Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Mcebisi Skwatsha and Premier of the North West Province, Mr Supra Mahumapelo visited De Paarl restitution farm which is among the successful land claims settled in the North West Province the De Paarl farm in the Ditsobotla local municipality.

The Deputy Minister accompanied by the Premier and MEC for Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development Manketsi Tlhape handed over agricultural equipment worth over R6million rand to the beneficiaries of De Paarl farm near Lichtenburg, which was returned  to the original owners through the land restitution process.

According to the Deputy Minister the beneficiaries have been struggling to farm on their land due to lack of resources this led them to lease the land to the commercial farmers.

The claim was lodged by Mr. N.D Vilakazi on behalf of the original dispossessed individuals and their direct descendants who had lived on the farm known as De Paarl. The land was purchased for a total amount of R39, 862,950.00, the 4582.3748 hectares of productive land was subsequently restored to the thirty seven (37) land claiming households whose land had been taken due to past discriminatory laws and practices.

The Deputy Minister told the beneficiaries the department has spent provided additional support at a cost of more than R14 million to ensure sustainability and development.

Deputy Minister hands over equipment to successful restitution farm in North West.

A Communal Property Association called De Paarl CPA was formed in 2007 to which the restored properties were transferred with the last outstanding property transferred in 2015. The CPA has elected a new committee of which its term of office commenced in 2017.

The CPA received its first Post settlement support funding of R8 million through the department’s Recapitalisation and Development programme in 2013. Through this funding the CPA acquired cattle (110 cattle, 110 calves and 4 bulls all of the Bosmara types), machinery and implements.

“As part of its mandate to implement rural economy transformation and agrarian reform, the Department in 2015 assisted the De Paarl CPA to establish an operating company as its business arm called Kokoana Farming Enterprise.

In addition to this the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform entered into an agreement with the fertiliser production company, Omnia Fertilisers for the latter to assist the Department with Post Settlement support in respect of projects implemented through the Recapitalisation and Development Programme (RADP).

The Deputy Minister said he was further encouraged by the establishment of a mechanisation center on the farm for the Kokaona Farming enterprise which he said will serve as a catalyst and contributor towards rural economic development and agrarian transformation in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality.

Enquiries:
Ms Linda Page – Chief Director: Strategic Communications
Tel: 012 312 9319
Cell: 083 4604 482/ 071 334 3479
E-mail: linda.page@drdlr.gov.za

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