The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), Gen. Bheki Cele, accompanied by the MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, Mr Vusi Shongwe and Nkomazi Local Municipality Executive Mayor Cllr Thulisile Khoza will engage young female farmers who are already operating in the industry including unemployed youth and learners who are interested in the sector.
This will be during a Women’s Month Imbizo, to be held at KaMhlushwa Stadium in Nkomazi on 29 August 2016.
Motivated by the launch of a programme called Agri-Stars during Youth Month in June 2016, the gathering will provide a platform where the mostly young female farmers, unemployed graduates, learners, including industry role-players and government, will share ideas on how to unlock opportunities that will help benefit young female farmers in particular, in the field the future of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Agri-Stars is a programme aimed at encouraging and empowering the youth in farming practices.
Earlier in the day the Deputy Minister will visit projects run by young female farmers, including the 2015 DAFF Female Entrepreneur Award overall winner, Ms Julia Shungube in eMbangwane, and top Entrepreneur Small holder, Cooperative 2015, Ms Sinethemba Belofte Sambo to check on their progress and try to address challenges faced.
It is against this background that the media is invited to the Women’s Month Imbizo scheduled as follows:
Venue: KaMhlushwa Stadium, Nkomazi, Mpumalanga
Date: 29 August 2016
Time: 9h00
To RSVP for accreditation please contact:
Innocent Mhlanga
Cell: 082 8191808
For further information and requests for interviews, contact:
Nonkululeko Mbatha
Cell: 083 645 6252
E-mail: NonkululekoM@daff.gov.za
