The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has provided the much needed agricultural infrastructure in the Mhlontlo local municipality by providing four shearing sheds and a sales pen, which were a great challenge for that community.
This infrastructure development will improve the quality of the wool produced by the farmers and this will have positive economic spin-offs.
It has been jointly agreed by department, Mhlontlo Wool Growers Association and Mhlontlo local municipality that four shearing shed must be provided for the Mhlontlo sheep farmers.
The former Honourable MEC Gugile Nkwinti for Agriculture during the sod-turning ceremony in 2008 pronounced that out of the 20 shearing sheds requested for Mhlontlo, the department would only be able to construct four shearing sheds for a start.
A sod turning function for the construction of this infrastructure was held at the end of the 2008/09 financial year after which construction started and these were completed during the 2009/10 financial year.
The department, in collaboration with Mhlontlo local municipality and Mhlontlo Wool Growers' Association identified four shearing sheds sites in Qumbu and Tsolo.
In Qumbu, Balasi and Ngcolokini villages were chosen in Tsolo, two sites were identified at Mayaluleni and Malephelephe villages. The department did not only construct the shearing sheds but it also provided the Mhlontlo community with the much needed sales pen near the Tsolo junction.
The Mhlontlo Wool Growers, out of their excitement and appreciation for what the department has done for them, decided to invite the Honourable MEC Sogoni to officially open and handover these shearing sheds and the sales pen in an event that will be held at the Ngcolokini village shearing shed in Qumbu.
Media houses are invited to attend this august occasion, which will be filled with excitement as the department led by MEC Sogoni celebrates another milestone in service delivery with the community of Mhlontlo municipal area.
Details of the event:
Venue: Ngcolokini shearing shed (village)
Town: Qumbu
Date: 10 June 2010
Time: 10h00
Directions: three kilometres from Qumbu to Ngcolokini along N2 then turn right.
For more information contact:
Yvonne Matsheketwa:
Cell: 076 868 7257
Issued by: Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
9 June 2010
