The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Forestry Branch) invites members of the media to a hand over ceremony of lease rental money due to land reform beneficiaries and communities who were identified in terms of the land reform process.
The programme of the day includes a keynote address by President Jacob Zuma and other expected dignitaries are Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson and Minister for Rural Development and Land Reform, Mr Gugile Nkwinti, among others.
In 1998 Cabinet took a decision to restructure the South African Forestry Company Limited (SAFCOL) and the former Department of Water Affairs and Forestry plantations in the republic of South Africa. Having noted and acknowledged that those plantations are affected by land reform issues, Cabinet resolved that the process of state forestry restructuring should proceed in a way that will cater and protect the right of land reform beneficiaries in future.
To implement the Cabinet decision, government entered into lease agreements with four forestry companies, namely: Mountain to ocean (MTO) in the Western Cape, Amathole and Singisi in the Eastern Cape and SiyaQhubeka in KwaZulu-Natal.
Members of the media will be afforded an opportunity to interview Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson after the media briefing session.
Details of the event:
Venue: Emabheleni Dam, Mthatha, Eastern Cape
Date: 4 February 2011
Time: 10h00 to 13h00
For more information please contact:
Mr Selby Bokaba
Cell : 082 277 0245
E-mail: SelbyB@daff.gov.za
