READ Department appoints engineers to improve agricultural services
In a bid to improve and strengthen its agricultural engineering services, the READ Department has appointed four young Agricultural Engineers with effect from 24 January 2019.
Agricultural Engineering is the area concerned with the design, construction and improvement of farming equipment and machinery. Agricultural engineers integrate technology with farming.
These newly engineers appointed by the department, were all previously employed by the national Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) as candidate Engineers.
Two of them, Mr Kholofelo Moloko and Ms Kgaugelo Madira are currently based in Bojanala Platinum District while Messrs Zama Mbhamali and Tumelo Boroto are in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.
All of them have studied B.Sc in Engineering (Agricultural Engineering) for academic four years at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. This university is the only one in South Africa that offering this type of qualification. One of the requirements herein is that one also needs to be registered with Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) to pursue the best practices.
Kholofelo Moloko, (26), delineated the required engineering skills in order to take up the job such as problem-solving, technical skills, innovative skills, and good communication skills.
Moloko, also said that they all have necessary work experience of designing agricultural infrastructure such as piggery, poultry, agro-processing facility, designing of irrigation systems such as drip irrigation and centre pivot system, conducting of topographical and borehole surveys, compiling of technical report and tender documents, construction, monitoring and evaluation of engineering projects.
He further pointed out that his passion in agriculture is in animal infrastructure; however, he can be involved in all other agricultural projects.
In terms of the improvement he can bring in the department, Moloko said, he was looking forward to assist with restructuring of engineering services of the department and improving on the infrastructure and standards thereof,
“We are looking forward to work and improve the livelihood of the farmers under the management of this department. We will also adhere to the policy, rules and regulations of the department which were presented to us by the Human Resource Management practitioner,” said Moloko”.
During her stakeholder engagement meetings in January this year, MEC Desbo Mohono promised farmers and people of the North West Province that she will do everything possible to bring much needed skills to the department in order to improve services.
These newly appointed engineers will work directly with the contractors in the project that will be implemented by the department.
Enquiries:
Emelda Setlhako
Tel: 018 389 5684
Cell: 060 745 4020
E-mail: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.zaa
