The Hon MEC Zoleka Capa will launch a successful Vukani Mangwe irrigation scheme in Sterkpruit, which is one of the success stories of the department’s bid to revival the once thriving irrigation schemes.
The scheme was started in 1987 with the intentions of providing sustainable food production for Sunduza and Magwiji community, drawing water from the Holo Hlatsi dam but in 1996 the mainline pipes burst and irrigation system became dysfunctional.
Since then the beneficiaries started producing under dry land but the department, including Joe Gqabi District Municipality and Senqu Local Municipality heeded the concerns of the community of food insecurity and hunger by reviving the scheme.
Efforts were made to respond to their request of reviving this scheme but the District and local Municipality look at the bigger picture by including other ploughing fields in the area adjacent to the scheme which then resulted to the establishment of Holo Hlatsi Anchor Project.
A feasibility study by Joe Gqabi District and Senqu Municipality was done in 2004 and that led to identification of eight projects were identified that produce vegetables and crop.
The Vukani Mangwe irrigation project is among these agricultural projects and has been identified as the priority project that can have an immediate impact to the Area of Senqu.
The initiative of the Holo Hlatsi Anchor project by the District, Local Senqu Municipality and Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform intends to revive Vukani Mangwe irrigation scheme.
The Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform was mandated to take leade in the initiative because and the resuscitation of the scheme started with the fencing in 2005 while the construction and installation of the irrigation system started in 2009 and completed in 2011.
Vukani Mangwe is located between Jozana’s Hoek and Sunduza Administrative Areas in Sterkspruit and the size of the project is 45ha’s irrigation land, with 34 beneficiaries – including 12 males and 22 females.
The project has already been registered as Cooperative and it aims to promote sustainable food security in the area through producing vegetables and crops all the year round hence the installation of construction, installation of the main line and sprinklers and now the irrigation system is complete.
The department wanted to leave the irrigation system functioning so that the farmers can start producing under irrigation and our extension advisors will regularly visit the site to ensure quality production.
The project has a well established committee and the support by the department, Joe Gqabi District and Senqu Local Municipality has boasted the moral of the members and they have started selling to the local supermarkets and locals.
Launch for Vukani Mangwe Irrigation:
Date: 9 September 2011
Time: 9h00 to 16h30
Location: Sterkspruit (Sunduza A/A)
Contact:
Mr MW Msomi
Tel: 051 603 0280
NB: During the event the MEC Zoleka Capa will also introduce the Provincial Textile Co-op, which aims at training rural women, youth and disabled people in the textile industry. (refer to the previous statement for more information.
Enquiries:
Thozi Manyisana
Cell: 082 494 3600
Ayabulela Ngoqo
Cell: 071 603 3235
