KZN premier and Ilembe district development model champion deputy finance Minister D Masondo to officiate at the launch of the 2020 district multi planting season
The KwaZulu-Natal Government has embarked on a programme to promote indigenous and organic methods of subsistence farming to reverse the adverse lifestyle diseases associated with consuming genetically modified and pesticides and harmful chemically grown food.
It is against this background that Provincial Premier Sihle Zikalala together with members of the Provincial Executive Council will officiate at the launch of the 2020 Ilembe District Multi-Planting Season tomorrow Tuesday 10 November 2020 in Maphumulo Municipality.
Ilembe District Development Model (DDM) Champion, Deputy Minister of Finance David Masondo, MP, will also join Premier Zikalala and members of the Executive Council and the Local and District Municipal Leadership during the launch.
Ilembe District OSS Champion, Human Settlement and Public Works MEC NP Nkonyeni, Agriculture and Rural Development MEC BN Sithole-Moloi, Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation MEC H Mavimbela will be accompanying Premier Zikalala and Deputy Minister Masondo during the launch.
Ilembe District Mayor Cllr SS Gumede and Maphumulo Municipality Mayor Cllr Z Khuzwayo-Dlamini will also officiate at the launch.
Former Premier WT Mchunu in his capacity as the founder of Azibuye eMasisweni organisation will also grace the launch event by his presence as well as Enterprise Ilembe Board Members.
The highlight of tomorrow’s multi planting launch will be the visit to a community organic farming initiative in eMambedwini area in Ward 9 where a women-led agricultural co-operative is engaged in organic farming using hydroponic tunnels.
In the context of Ilembe District, the eMambedwini Tunnels Agricultural Co-operative is promoting organic farming and the consumption of organic food by communities. In addition, through organic farming there is also the promotion of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and the subsequent promotion of healthy living, lifestyle and wellness.
Organic farming methods are also presenting viable option to the youth with respect to economic spin-offs.
The 2020 Ilembe District Multi-Planting Season Launch would facilitate the training of community agricultural co-operatives thus establish 16 co-operatives that would champion the shift to this indigenous method of farming in the whole district.
For more information, members of the media can contact the Media Liaison Officers whose contact details are listed below.
Mr Mbulelo Baloyi (Office of MEC OSS Champion)
Cell: 079 871 3915
Mr Lennox Mabaso (Office of the Premier)
Cell: 082 884 2404
Ms Zee Nqala (Ilembe District Municipality)
Cell: 071 875 9985
Mr Lindokuhle Sibisi (Maphumulo Municipality)
Cell: 065 833 4186
The details and venue of the 2020 Ilembe Multi-Planting season event are as follows:
Date: Tuesday 10th November 2020
Venue: Sobuyaze Sportsfield, Maphumulo Municipality
Time: 9h00
(For photo and interview opportunities members of the media are advised that the Premier, DM Masondo and MECs’ entourage will visit the eMambhedwini Tunnels Agricultural Co-op in Ward 09.
