Africa investor (Ai), a leading international investment research and communications group, yesterday announced the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson, as the recipient of the Africa Agriculture Minister of the Year Award in Sandton, Johannesburg.
Africa investor is an investment specialist communications firm advising governments, international organisations and businesses on communication strategies for capital market and foreign direct investments in Africa.
"I am humbled and honoured by the award as it recognises the hard work that this administration has put in the agricultural sector, domestically and internationally.
"The President has placed emphasis on agriculture as one of the key portfolios in the economic cluster, and this award is testament to the good work we have done, and will continue to do, to place the continent’s Agricultural sector on the global map.
"In July, Africa investor (Ai) released a shortlist for the 2011 Ai Agribusiness Awards, which reward organisations, companies and personalities driving transactions and improving the continent’s agribusiness investment climate.
"The shortlisted candidates for the Minister of Agriculture of the Year Award included Ministers from Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Ghana.
"Yesterday, I was announced as the recipient of the Minister of Agriculture of the Year Award. I have accepted the award on behalf of Cabinet, and the people of South Africa."
The following is a brief summary of our ministry’s engagements in Africa since 2009
Centre for Coordination of Agriculture, Research and Development of Southern Africa (CCARDESA)
- The Memorandum of Understanding ( CCARDESA Charter) was signed in Pretoria on August 2011and launched in Gaborone, Botswana July 2011
- The purpose of this Charter is to provide Member States with a framework for the establishment of a Sub-regional Organisation that will coordinate agricultural research and development (R&D) in the SADC region.
Seed Harmonisation Regulatory System was signed in Windhoek Namibia during the council of Ministers meeting in November 2010.
- The purpose of the MoU is to regulate the movement of seeds in the region, seed certification and Phytosanitary measures for Seeds.
- To provide member states with a legal framework to cooperate in the implementation of the system.
High level meetings
- Hosted the African Ministers Climate-Smart Conference in preparation for Durban COP17 Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa and develop the African position in September 2011, in Johannesburg.
- Launched the African Union CAADP Programme Implementation in South Africa in October 2011
Bilateral engagements
Benin
- The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries visited the Songhai Centre, in Porto Novo, Benin. This centre specialises in agro-ecology and other low-input production systems.The purpose was to assess the possible benefits of collaborating with the centre
- The study tour revealed that the development of the draft agro-ecology model that is suitable for South African conditions can be explored.
Republic of Congo (Brazzaville): Heads of State Summit for the Three Rain Forests Basin held in the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) on 31 May to 3 June 2011.
- The President of the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) Honorable President Mr Denis Sassou Nguesso invited President Jacob Zuma to participate in this Summit as one of the countries that has made significant contribution to the sustainable development of the Congo Basin and as host of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) seventeenth Session of the Conference of Parties (COP17). President Zuma requested Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson to participate in the Summit on his behalf.
- Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson spoke on behalf of President Zuma pledging support the initiative, which South Africa had already begun playing in 2002 through the establishment of the Congo Basin Forests Partnership.
- An agreement in the field of agriculture was signed in October 2010, the purpose of the agreement is to maintain and strengthen their bilateral relations in the field of agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
Abuja, Nigeria from 8 to 10 March 2010: High level Conference on the Development of Agri-Business and Agro- Industries in Africa
- Minister met with her Nigerian counterpart and discussed the potentials of the two countries agriculture sector, with Nigeria interested to develop their agro-industries and agro-processing. South African Agro-processing and Agro-Industries are encouraged to invest in Nigeria. The matter will be further pursued during the planned RSA/Nigeria BNC in April 2010 to be held in South Africa
Zambia
- Had a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Agriculture in Zambia in October 2009.
- Attended outgoing State Visit to Zambia from 7 - 9 December 2009.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Attended the RSA/DRC BNC in Lubumbashi in June 2011.
- A commitment was made to review the signed bilateral agreement, initiated training of public service in the Ministry of Agriculture
- A commitment to initiated technical assistance for the Ministry of Agriculture officials.
Zambia
- A Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Republic of Zambia on cooperation in the field of agriculture and livestock farming was signed in December 2009.
- Purpose: The purpose of this MoU is to cooperate and promote special bilateral cooperation plans, with the aim of strengthening and consolidating bilateral relations, in the field of agriculture between the Parties.
Swaziland
- RSA/Swaziland agreement on cooperation in the field of agriculture was signed during the Smart-Climate Conference of Ministers of Agriculture on 13 September 2011.
- Purpose: The purpose of this Agreement is to strengthen collaboration and improve cooperation between the Parties in the field of agriculture.
- A MoU on cooperation in the management of wild fires was signed on 27 September 2011 in South Africa.
- Purpose: The objectives of this Memorandum of Understanding are to expand and continuously explore best strategies for co-operation between the Parties.
Namibia
- A Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Republic of Namibia on cooperation in the field of agriculture was signed in July 2009.
- Purpose: The purpose of this MoU is to strengthen and consolidate bilateral relations, in the field of agriculture between the Parties.
TANZANIA
- A Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania on cooperation in the field of agriculture was signed in August 2011.
- Purpose: The purpose of this MoU is to cooperate and promote special bilateral cooperation plans, with the aim of strengthening and consolidating bilateral relations, in the field of agriculture between the Parties.
RSA/Egypt
- Cooperation in veterinary and health services. Its purpose is to coordinate and promote special bilateral cooperation plans with the aim of strengthening and consolidating bilateral relations in the field of veterinary and health services between the Parties.
- Signed on 19 October 2010. Continuing resolution attempts of the long lasting impasse on partial ban of South African bone in meat by Egypt as a result of FMD outbreak in 2000.
RSA/Burundi
- Cooperation in agriculture and livestock. Its purpose is to coordinate and promote special bilateral cooperation plans with the aim of strengthening and consolidating bilateral relations in the field of Agriculture and Livestock between the Parties.
- Signed on 11 August 2011.
RSA/Kenya
- Cooperation in the agriculture sector. Its purpose is to foster cooperation in the areas of agriculture, livestock, and aquaculture.
- Signed on 26 November 2010.
RSA/Sudan
- Cooperation in the field of agriculture. Its purpose is to encourage and promote bilateral relations in the field of agriculture in accordance with the domestic law in force in the territory of the Parties.
- Signed on 8 July 2011.
RSA/Uganda
- General cooperation in agriculture and fisheries. Its purpose is to coordinate and promote special bilateral cooperation plans with the aim of strengthening and consolidating bilateral relations in the field of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries between the Parties.
- Sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) MoU. Its purpose is to coordinate and promote special bilateral cooperation plans with the aim of strengthening and consolidating bilateral relations in the SPS field. Both MoUs were signed on 21 January 2011.
Enquiries:
Selby Bokaba
Media Liaison Officer, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Tel: 021 467 4538
Cell: 082 778 0245
