President Jacob Zuma will tomorrow, 20 August 2016, officially launch the first farm entering the pilot phase of the Policy Framework on Strengthening the Relative Rights of People Working the Land, also known as the 50/50 farming policy, at the Westcliffe Farm in uMshwathi local municipality, near Greytown, KwaZulu-Natal.
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, in partnership with the National Empowerment Fund concluded the ground-breaking Westcliffe farm agreement which will see workers and farm owners become co-owners of the farming enterprise.
One of the first pilot projects to conclude such an agreement, the Westcliffe farm is 514 hectares in extent, with 270 hectares sugar cane, 140 hectares timber, and 10 hectares of irrigated cabbage operation.
The Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, Mr Gugile Nkwinti first announced the introduction of the policy framework in 2014 as part of efforts to ensure farm workers benefit from owning shares in the farms on which they work as well as providing them with security of tenure.
Among other things, the policy aims to secure tenure for farm workers while seeking to transform land ownership patterns in the country and empowering workers to acquire shares in farming enterprises.
The 50/50 policy framework is also aimed at improving economic transformation of the agricultural sector.
Members of the media are invited as follows:
Date: Saturday, 20 August 2016
Time: 9h00
Venue: uMshwathi Local Municipality, eKhamanzi (Ward 3) Westcliffe farm, near Greytown, KwaZulu-Natal.
Members of the media attending the event are requested to send their names to Themba Hleko on 063 143 3730 or Tshepo Diale on or 071 850 1751 or William Baloyi on 083 390 7147 or william@presidency.gov.za.
Enquiries:
Bongani Ngqulunga
Cell: 082 308 9373
Email: bongani@presidency.gov.za
