Media invite

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development cordially invites members of the media to attend the briefing session that will discuss the provincial rural development strategy (RDS) roll out plan within the context of the National Comprehensive Rural Development programme (CRDP).

The event will be graced by Minister Gugile Nkwinti for Rural Development and Land Reform and MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mbulelo Sogoni.

The purpose of this session is to inform government and leadership structures about the roll out plan of rural development in the selected villages set to benefit from this first phase of the roll-out of the programme which was successful piloted at Qumbu and Tsolo villages in Mhlontlo municipality.

The department has identified sites in Ikwezi, Engcobo, Mbashe, Elundini, Umzimvubu and Ntabankulu municipalities.

The briefing also aim to reach consensus and common understanding of the RDS concept, process and action included in the roll out plan including structures needed to be set up, targets, process to be followed and the deliverables leading to a cost and integrated CRDP in each identified village.

By holding this session, the department will be enhancing the strategic objective of the CRDP of achieving social cohesion in the development of rural communities. The CRDP calls for facilitating the establishment of business initiatives, rural and agro-industries, cooperatives, cultural initiatives and vibrant local markets.

It further highlights the need for the empowerment of rural communities to be self-reliant and able to take charge of their destiny and the briefing session will be a platform to articulate how government should work together to ensure that rural communities are developed.

The participation of all spheres of government, mayors, ward committees of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including faith-based organisations, community based organisations (CBOs) and other organs of civil society is crucial in the rural development strategy and it is through sessions like these that the Government offers the platform to craft working together plans.

The rural development pilot sites launched in July and August last year in the Mhlonto municipality have not only yielded to positive impact to the communities but has been a platform where all government departments and its partners work together for sustainable rural livelihoods.

And that served as the evidence that the RDS' aim of influencing integrated planning, implementation and funding of service delivery to the rural area is being realised hence there will be a roll-out of the programme to all district municipalities.

While agriculture has been identified as a point of entry for rural development other social and infrastructure initiatives have also produced quality results.

The Mhlontlo sites have been able to produce work opportunities and local business empowerment was boasted by the hiring six local contractors to do the fencing of gardens where 123 local people were employed in this process. Agricultural activities initiated by the department in Mhlontlo sites include livestock improvement, poultry, homestead gardens and large scale planting (fields).

Other activities include but not limited to the provision of roads infrastructure, improvement of access to health and social services, housing development, water and electricity supply, early childhood development education improvement, local economic development initiatives and citizenship registration.

Members of the media are invited to be part of this briefing where details of the roll out plan will be discussed and this is the opportunity for the media to have an insight on the implementation of the RDS, which is the key rural livelihood improvement tool.

Event details:

Date: Friday, 6 Aug 2010
Time: 10h00
Venue: Dann’s Country Lodge, Mthatha

List of the villages set to benefit:

For more information contact:
Yvonne Matsheketwa
Cell: 076 868 7257

Thozi Manyisana
Cell: 073 2633 754