The Northern Cape Provincial Government will be joining over 150 countries across the world in commemorating World Food Day on 16 October 2009, 10h30, at Soverby School Grounds near Keimoes in the Siyanda District.
Acting Premier and MEC of Corporate and Government Affairs, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs, Kenny Mmoiemang will unveil the province’s yearly multi-million rand interventions that are being undertaken by various departments in government’s steadfast quest of eradicating hunger, malnutrition and poverty.
In crystallising the government’s efforts of remedying the plight of the rural poor through economic freedom, Acting Premier Mmoiemang will launch two multi-million rand projects:
* Blocuso project funded to the tune of R21 million until end of March next year by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. Forms part of wine development initiative targeting farm workers and dwellers for economic empowerment in irrigable agriculture. Water rights allocated for development of 216ha. The establishment of 15ha of wine grapes is currently underway. 466 families are benefiting directly and indirectly from temporary job creation relating to infrastructural development and also set to benefit from higher income levels. Blocuso trust is constituted by the Bloemsmond, Curriescamp and Soverby communities that received land reform grants worth R7,4 million in 2000.
* Oasis hydroponics project set to benefit 72 disabled beneficiaries who are based at the oasis skills development project that offers vocational and training facilities. R1,3 million had been spend for the construction of greenhouse, irrigation system, and electric fence.
MECs Sylvia Lucas for Environmental Affairs and Nature Conservation and acting Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Mxolisa Sokatsha for Health and Dawid Rooi for Roads and Public Works will participate by officiating through the different phases of the World Food Day programme and will distribute food hampers to various charity organisations around Siyanda district.
The MECs are to encourage communities to establish their own food gardens and creating projects that would ensure food security for all. This year’s theme is “achieving food security in times of crisis”. Since the inception of the province’s integrated food security and nutrition programmes in 2004, various projects have been unveiled in support of food insecure communities. The deliverables include the distribution of irrigations tools, seedlings, food parcels, food schemes at schools and clinics.
Members of the media are invited to the World Food commemoration, and details are as follows:
Venue: Soverby Sports ground (Keimoes)
Time: 10h00
Date: 16 October 2009
For accreditation and enquiries please phone:
Phemelo Manankong
Cell: 072 215 7848
Tel: 053 839 7861
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Northern Cape Provincial Government
13 October 2009
Source: Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Northern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.agrinc.gov.za)
