The Taung Agricultural College must not only produce students but must also produce teachers who will educate communities about the importance of preserving nature, said Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe at the official handing over of 1 million US dollar donations,i.e. R10 million to the Taung Agricultural College.
“This college is not only going to produce students, but will also produce teachers who will go out to our communities to teach nature to behave better. Nature is very important for the production of food in this country,” said Motlanthe.
Motlanthe who was accompanied by Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor, North West Premier Thandi Modise, MEC for Agriculture Desbo Mohono and MEC for Economic Development Motlalepule Rosho also paid tribute to the late Chris Hani who was killed on the 10 April 1993.
“Today, 21 years ago our country experienced a very tragic event, the assassination of Comrade Chris Hani. It was on that day that Madiba came to the fore to literally give leadership to the nation and we were able to go through that tragedy and still find peaceful solution to the problems of our country. Therefore as we celebrate here today, we must always remember that we also carry the mandate of those who are no more with us,” said Motlanthe.
Premier Thandi Modise who also accompanied the Deputy President to inspect some of the projects within the campus said agriculture was a very key driver of the provincial economy and that it continued to employ a substantial number of people in the province.
“The donation will go a long way towards training aspirant farmers and ensuring food security in the battle to alleviate poverty,” reiterated Premier Modise.
The one million US dollar was donated by a Danish company Haldor Topsoe which specialises in research and technology.
The company’s representative Helge Rosenberg said they were extremely pleased to be associated with the Taung Agricultural College as they share the same vision.
“We share the same enthusiasm and innovation of making an input into Agriculture. We are happy that the team of management at the college has a clear vision and is very committed to innovative training and curriculum,” said Rosenburg adding that his company’s association with the college will open a lot of opportunities for students at the college.
Welcoming the donation Pepenene Serage, the Principal of Taung Agricultural College said the donation will enable the college to deliver on its mission of becoming a Centre of Excellence in Irrigation Technology in line with its agro-ecological zone.
The Taung Agricultural College offers a range of specialised programmes developed to meet the needs of the agricultural Industry and help alleviate poverty.
One of the students at the college, 20-year old Phemelo Mogotlhe from Itsoseng said he is very excited about the donation to the college.
“One thing that makes me very happy about the donation is the fact that our collage will now be fully equipped with the resources. We will ensure that we use this collage to equip us with the skills that we need,” he said.
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