The community of Emathulini under Chief Luthuli in Ozwathini today became beneficiaries of MEC Johnson taking the poverty bull by the horns when they received agricultural implements. In an event held at Sikhulile Secondary School, MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development handed over hand hoes, one power-hoe and seeds.
The power-hoe will be very useful in cultivating community vegetable gardens and is very easy to handle. The beneficiaries were recently given the necessary training on how to use it efficiently.
The handover was preceded by talks between MEC Johnson and Chief Luthuli who had requested the implements from the department on behalf of his community. Today’s launch was a quick response to that request. MEC Johnson commended Chief Luthuli for galvanizing his community to till their land and participate in food security programmes. She said that the department highly depends on Amakhosi to rally their people to play an active role in pushing back the frontiers of poverty and ensuring their own food security.
“We also want to have sustainable food security, sound environmental management and comprehensive, integrated rural development. All of the aforementioned is only achievable if rural people begin to own processes of their own development, which means they have to partner with government departments and be active in the running of projects,” said Johnson.
Community members were very elated to receive seeds and the implements. They also committed themselves to working harder than before in order to ensure that there is sustainable food security in their area.
Enquiries:
Ncumisa Mafunda
Tel: 033 343 8063
Cell: 079 515 7187
