Traditional leaders in the Bokone Bophirima Province will in the not so distant future be providers of food to destitute families and child-headed households in their villages, thanks to the Tshimo Ya Kgosi project which Premier SOR Mahumapelo started in Ganaalaagte village.
Tshimo Ya Kgosi which means a chief’s arable land, was initiated by the Provincial Government with a view to restore the traditional leaders’ dignity, respect and authority as carers of people they are leading. Moreover, the initiative seeks to encourage the use of every piece of arable land for agriculture, this in line with the objectives of the nationally coordinated Fetsa Tlala Programme. The first beneficiary of this unique Tshimo Ya Kgosi project is Kgosi Jeff Molete of Bakolobeng tribe in Ganaalaagte village.
In kicking off this first of its kind Tshimo Ya Kgosi project on Friday, 7 November as part of service delivery activities for Setsokotsane programme in Tswaing Local Municipality, Premier Mahumapelo handed over an automated tractor, boom sprayer, no-till planter, offset disk, seeds and fertilisers, all to the tune of R1.5 million.
Kgosi Molete who is a small-scale farmer in the area, will utilise these newly purchased agricultural mechanisation packages on a 100ha arable land which is mainly for the production of maize, sunflower and other crops.
In handing over these farming machineries, Premier Mahumapelo encouraged Kgosi Molete and other local farmers to work together and remain committed to their resolve to produce quality food for the people.
“The needy communities should by tradition be getting support in the form of food and other services from their traditional leaders, and we are confident that this assistance will enable our traditional leaders to sincerely offer their support to those in need. We are now going back to basics,” Premier Mahumapelo maintained.
Appreciating the provincial government and in particular, Premier Mahumapelo’s respect for the role of traditional leadership in their communities, Kgosi Molete said he was certain that the objectives of Tshimo Ya Kgosi project will be reached and that food insecurity in rural areas will to a greater extent be addressed.
The Tshimo Ya Kgosi project will be rolled out to all traditional leadership in the Province through the provincial Department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development which will be expected to also consistently provide agricultural extension and advisory service at these projects.
Besides serving as sources of food, these projects will also create temporary employment to local community members during planting, weeding and harvesting periods.
Launched last month in Ngaka Modiri Molema District, Setsokotsane is a programme that seeks to accelerate delivery to services to people of the Bokone Bophirima province. This programme has thus far reached various wards in Mahikeng, Ditsobotla and Tswaing Local Municipalities. In implementing the programme’s objectives, government resources are pulled together in an effort to eradicate poverty and create opportunities for local people to improve their lives.
Enquiries:
Bonolo Mohlakoana
Tel: 018 388 4390
Cell: 082 901 2435
