The Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform has committed itself to working with the traditional leadership in the province in development efforts as part of the Masibambisane Rural Development Initiative (MRDI).
Having started in Nkandla and Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal, the MRDI is chaired by President Jacob Zuma in his capacity as a community member and is done in conjunction with traditional leaders, as the land in which farming takes place falls under their jurisdiction.
The initiative aims at equipping communities in the rural areas to develop themselves, especially in the area of agriculture and has had support from the provincial department by way of a roll-out of its Zero Hunger Campaign to coincide with the launch.
Departmental MEC Zoleka Capa has stressed the importance of engaging traditional and religious leaders in the eradication of poverty and underdevelopment in their areas and is pleased to join the President in this initiative.
While Masibambisane is a community-based initiative, led by the President, government would lend its support to such initiatives particularly as they involve local and business communities in the implementation of their programmes.
It is also in line with government’s design to work together with communities to improve their quality of life.
The department is initially targeting more than 13 wards in the Mhlontlo area to benefit from this programme, where the land is currently being ploughed. President Zuma will visit the area as well as the Mthatha Kei Fresh Produce and Tsitsa River Basin.
Details of the event:
Date: Saturday, 19 November 2011
Time: 7h00 to 16h00
Venue: Qumbu Technical High School, Tsilitwa Village, Mhlontlo Municipality, near Mthatha
Enquiries:
Thozi Manyisana
Cell: 082 494 3600
Ayabulela Ngoqo
Cell: 071 603 3235
For the Presidency contact:
Bongani Majola
Cell: 082 339 1993
Department to support Masibambisane project
Province
