North West Legislature Committee on Agriculture urges department to support programmes of agriculture and Potchefstroom Agriculture College
The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Rural Environment and Agricultural Development has encouraged the Department of Rural Environment and Agricultural Development and the senior management of the Potchefstroom College to work together and intensify agricultural development initiatives in communities of the North West province.
This came after the Committee oversight meeting with the stakeholders to address issues at Potchefstroom College regarding the unsatisfactory state of the kitchen; employees hired on a temporary basis whilst there are permanent staff hired at the institution who can perform the same duties and be paid overtime and the discontentment on the pricing of fees and questionable qualifications on some of the professional staff.
A member of the Committee, Hon. Hlomane Chauke, who chaired the meeting on behalf of the Committee Chairperson, Hon. Ndleleni Duma stated that they wanted to check the level on the central role the college and department plays towards the development of agriculture as one of the three pillars in the provincial government.
“As part of rebranding, repositioning and renewing the province agriculture should see the support it needs starting from the tertiary level where all necessary skills are acquired to grow the economy as part of the three (3) pillars in the province,” urged Hon. Chauke.
The department stated that thus far, they have not played enough role in the development towards strengthening the capacity, particularly in the area of women and the youth in agriculture and supporting mechanisms that would grow the province through the integration with the college.
The Chief Financial Officer in the department, Mr. Pakino Mothupi mentioned that 70% of the revenue made in the college goes back to Treasury and therefore this prohibits the support needed to allocate skills, resources and land that would assist the women and youth marginalised to be empowered.
“We intend to make agriculture a revenue stream but due to the 70% of revenues that goes to Department of Finance we fail in this objective,” said Mr. Mothupi.
The Campus Manager, Mr. Lufuno Thovhakale stated that the college has the lowest student fees in the country with up to R14000 paid per annum and is recognised at an international level with most coming from as far as Switzerland and Gauteng.
“Compared to other agricultural colleges such as the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute in the Western Cape Province which costs a total of R49949 per annum and the Owen Sithole College which charges R19000 per annum, this is one of the very lowest charging college with the best curriculum internationally recognised,” said Mr. Thovhakale.
He also stated that 84 staff members are employed on a permanent basis, all paid overtime approved by the Head of the department and that he is not aware of questionable qualifications by some employees as all have gone the proper route on the recruitment processes.
The Committee acknowledged the college’s provision of the best agricultural knowledge and skills towards the development of students but concerned that its impact needs to be imparted in developing the province.
The committee made recommendations to the department to intensify a structured programme of developing women and youth interested in the agriculture to grow the economy of the province, and also recommended to look into the budget structure with the MEC for Finance to allow a support towards the community and balance centrality and impact the college may bring towards developing the province.
Enquiries:
Namhla Luhabe
Deputy Manager: Communications
Tel: 018 392 7000
Cell: 079 527 0628
Fax: 086 695 3784
Email: namhla@nwpl.org.za
