by Olwetu Batyi | Feb 24, 2020 | atp1
THE Eastern Cape government Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform held its seventh Abattoir Rating Scheme Awards in Komani yesterday evening.
The provincial abattoir awards are held on an annual basis to recognise abattoirs that contribute to the food security and safety of the province.
Through regular inspections, abattoirs are monitored within the Meat Safety and standards, requirements and regulations to ensure safe meat is produced for human consumption.
This year’s awards are based on the 2018/19 abattoir audits and inspections that were carried out by the department’s veterinary public health practitioners and state veterinarians.
The Meat Safety Act provides measures to promote meat safety and the safety of animal products; to establish and maintain essential national standards in respect of abattoirs; to regulate the importation and exportation of meat; to establish meat safety schemes; and to provide for matters concerned therewith.
The abattoirs of different levels were rated on according their categories which included the Poultry High Throughput and Low Throughput, custom feeding and emerging entrepreneurs.
Each year the department honours best performing abattoirs with awards and most importantly help the aspiring and emerging business to surface and participate meaningfully to the economy and the province’s food security.
MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Nomakhosazana Meth said the awards are a drive force to transform the industry that was previously dominated by certain racial groupings and men and also create a networking platform for businesses and government to work towards a common goal.
“This is not just another event where people dress smart and go out to enjoy themselves. But it is a platform of advancing and realizing our government’s dream of development and economic inclusiveness while at the same time keeping up with the acceptable standards of the industry. And we want to see transformation beyond racial boundaries where women are given the same recognition for their good work like men not just for gender balancing purposes,” said Meth.
The MEC added that said she was happy with the response of the youth, especially women, to the call of joining the farming for business and not prestige. But she also expressed her disappointment in the high level of noncompliance –something which she cited as an impediment to National Development Plan 2030.
“I have learnt with disappoint that many abattoirs had to close down after not meeting the acceptable standards of the industry; and we urge those businesses to make use of our district offices to see how they can be assisted to emerge above the challenges their experiencing. And part of these include the issue of not being halal compliant –a factor that is barrier to many businesses to see their produce crossing borders,” she said.
She said some of the impairments were attributed to municipality not fulfilling their mandate of providing basic services like water, sanitation and electricity. To this end, MEC Meth’s office is set to convene a meeting with municipalities and relevant stakeholders in the Chris Hani District Municipality to establish a report detailing what steps have the municipalities done to create a conducive ground for abattoirs to thrive and maximise.
Yesterday’s awards did not only see farmers trade their work suits for dapper outlooks but inspired young female farmers like Babalwa Gova of Ngangohlanga Farming and Orlando Madalane Hlanga Chicken and Livestock.
The two received awards in the category of emerging black entrepreneurs.
Gova (31) who runs a piggery and a crop farm in Matatiele said she started her business with just five pigs after realizing that no one in her area farmed for commercial purposes.
“I saw a gap and after my research I decided to start my business last year and it has been growing in leaps and bounds,” she said.
Gova added that the rigorous process which included regular visits by department’s veterinary public health practitioners and state veterinarians to her establishment in Mt Frere prepared her to trade on a national scale.
“Infrastructure is still a challenge, but after the visits by department’s veterinary public health practitioners and state veterinarians I managed to make some possible changes in my farm and I can safely say I am now sailing towards being one of the best female farmers in the country. The demand for my product grows every minute and we are grappling to meet it,” said Gova.
With the emergence and dominant use of modern technology and 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) in other industries, Dr Zolisa Madasa said it was important for farmers to keep up with the times or risk lagging behind as far as development is concerned.
“We can’t deny the advantages and disadvantages that have come with technology. But the big disadvantage is not taking advantage of it to maximize our businesses. Embracing technology won’t only help us to meet the industry’s standards but it’s going to assist us to trade internationally and be able to meet the demand. For instance we see other abattoirs slaughtering 20 cows a day while others only slaughter half of that number. And this is one of the advantages of technology, ” said Madasa.
Madasa is one of the many farmers who were aided by the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian while his business was in its stage of infancy.
” I am grateful for the help the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform continues to extend to our farmers and helping them to realise their dreams and I am one of those. I encourage other farmers to make use of the help the department extends to us, ” he said.
.Dr Gerhard Neethling Red Meat Abattoir Association (RMAA) commended the strides taken by government through the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform in the province to nurture emerging farmers and motivating those who are already in service amid the unfavourable economic climate that pose a threat to the province’s food security.
“Events like these make even those who were even thinking of giving up on farming to realise the importance of their work to our livelihoods and the economy of the province. We appreciate how the government has swiftly intervened in the drought crisis and the MEC (Nomakhosazana Meth) actually going out to see and listen to the farmers’ frustrations. It shows that we share the same vision and she has our best interests at heart, ” said Dr. Neethling.
by Olwetu Batyi | Feb 24, 2020 | atp1
Texas A&M University (TAMU) is keen on assisting the Eastern Cape government with community and youth development, this was revealed by leader of its delegation Professor Jack Elliot during their visit to department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform
Elliot, who is TAMU’s Regional Director for Africa, was speaking during the delegation’s first engagement with the MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) Nomakhosazana Meth whose department is hosting the Americans who are doing a “needs analysis” following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
“We want to be engaged in improving production, economy and wellbeing of people here by working with the community through food security. We want people that will work with us so that we can improve things here,” added Elliot.
MEC Meth said she was “optimistic” the engagement with TAMU, which was sealed with an MoU in August 2015, “will get into implementation stages of the projects.”
“I look forward to the deliverables to our communities and we embrace this opportunity to work with you to realise the green Eastern Cape we want.
“Food security is achieved through working together and collaborations hence this initiative is important. We want to work with you to improve our expertise in dealing with farmer development because we want to commercialise our small scale and communal farmers.”
The delegation is in a week-long visit to the province where experts including professors in different fields of agriculture include animal and crop production, aquaculture, research and extension services as well as youth development are actively participating.
The delegation will visit a number of institutions like Fort Cox College, University of Fort Hare as well as Tsolo Agriculture and Rural Development Institute (TARDI).
by Olwetu Batyi | Feb 5, 2020 | atp1
METH launches sanitizer production in Dohne
THE Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) in partnership with the Rhodes University’s faculty of pharmacy has intensified its fight against COVID-19 by launching its own hand sanitizer production programme. MEC for DRDAR, Nomakhosazana Meth formally launched the initiative in April 30 at Dohne Agricultural Development Institute of DRDAR. The sanitisers are produced internally by scientists at the agricultural institute after attending a two- day training at Rhodes University. According to Meth, the internal production of sanitizers is a move to ensure the safety of workers in the agricultural sector against COVID-19. Agriculture is listed among those rendering essential services after other sectors were forced to a halt amid the soaring figures of COVID-19 infections. “These will be for the benefit of farms and agricultural value chain facilities within the province,” said Meth Meth has been crisscrossing the province visiting farms specializing with different commodities where she checked compliance of farms in respect of the regulations set to curb the spread of the virus.
“During our visits we noticed that farm owners observe the regulations but some still need to be supported with PPE and sanitizers. The sanitizers we produce will go a long way in making sure that there is business continuity and farmers continue to produce food and make +sure the nation is fed,” she said. During the launch of the sanitizer production programme, Professor Rod Walker for Pharmaceutics at Rhodes University’s faculty of pharmacy said in two days they +had managed to produce 900 litres of sanitizers. The team of five scientific technicians can produce a minimum of 600 litres a day. The sanitizers (80% alcohol) which are compliant to the World Health Organization (WHO) specifications and standards are made from a combination of ethanol (99%), glycerol and hydrogen peroxide. “The production follow very stringent protocols and the process is recorded at all times to ensure traceability and confirmation of quality,” added Walker. While the Dohne Agricultural Development Institute began producing hand sanitisers this week, the Tsolo Agricultural and Rural Development Institute has been producing cloth face masks which are also distributed to farms.
by Olwetu Batyi | Dec 3, 2019 | atp1
AS women’s month came to a close, the Eastern Cape Provincial Government celebrated women in an event that took place at Alfred Nzo District, Mount Ayliff, on August 22 2019.
The event was a collaborative effort of Provincial Government Departments and civil society to commemorate the 63rd anniversary, where more than 20,000 South African women of all races staged a march to the Union Buildings in protest against the proposed amendments to the Urban Areas Act of 1950, commonly referred to as the “pass laws”.
In his main address, Eastern Cape Premier, Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, emphasised the need for women representation in all sectors – from Government, Business to Civil Society.
“As we reminisce on the events of August 9 1956, I am moved by the scripture, Luke 13:12, which says ‘ntokazi khululeka ebulwelweni’ –‘when Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity”. These are the words that I believe were spoken to the women of 1956, which saw them take a stand to free women and our people. We may take for granted that it was fighting for pass laws but it was more than that…it was the fight for freedom.”
“We can safely say the footsteps left by these women are clearly seen today, women continue to fight for their emancipation, in their homes, place of work and in society.
We are proud of these women. We want to see more women in leadership position”, added Mabuyane. The Premier spoke at length about the need to fight gender based violence and femicide, with men at the forefront. Most significantly, encouraged women to support each other in their endeavours and vowed that the Eastern Cape government would continue to strive towards equality for women and provide them with opportunities to excel in all avenues and contribute to the development of the country.
“Six out of 10 members of the Eastern Cape Cabinet members are women. We are therefore giving women their rightful space in the fight for freedom. Mandela once said it falls upon a particular generation to be great and we can be that generation ourselves. As the province, we want to ensure that we provide platforms and opportunities for our generation especially women to be great in all spheres of life”, affirmed Mabuyane.
He added: “The MEC of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) MEC Nomakhosazana Meth recently held an event to recognise and acknowledge women who excel in agriculture. I am proud of this, as agriculture has been a male dominated industry. Such events elevate women and encourage them to be great”.
by Olwetu Batyi | Dec 3, 2019 | atp1
Eastern Cape Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC Nomakhosazana Meth visited Magwa-Majola Tea Estates to see progress on the rescue plan progress and plans for eco-tourism in the area. Following her pronouncement in her policy speech, MEC joined hundreds of tea pickers, factory worker and various stakeholders at Magwa Tea Estate in Lusikisiki.
Subsequent to government’s intervention through the Business Rescue Plan where the Grahamstown Town High Court appointed a business rescue practitioner responsible for the implementation of the business rescue plan(BRP), the department has already injected R20-million for the BRP which saw operations starting afresh after a prolonged break caused by labour unrest. Part of the rescue plan included the merging of Majola Tea Estate to Magwa to form one entity.
Speaking during the main event, MEC Meth said, “I have been here before, at a time where employees were not getting paid. Today, ‘izinto zijikile’, loosely translated ‘the tides have turned’. The estate is back in business, employees are now able to earn a salary. Indeed, a new dawn has come… not only that but the sun has risen and shines on these hills and valleys of the Pondoland”.
“We are, therefore, here to thank you for your perseverance. Furthermore, reassure you that the money owed to you for having worked 11 months without pay, will be payed to you”, added Meth. Ingquza Hill Local Municipality Mayor Bambezakhe Goya said there were those who did not believe in government’s efforts of trying to rescue the estate, which has provided job opportunities for hundreds of families in the Lusikisiki area and beyond.
“Government will never allow the shutdown of Magwa or Majola Tea Estates instead we will support them. No establishment employs more people in this local municipality than these two tea estates, we therefore, need to ensure that we keep them running and thus secure the employment of these individuals”. “I have never seen the beauty and serenity like what I have seen going around the Magwa area today. Let us preserve the nature and take care of our province. There are great prospects of development in this region and as government, we commit to its revival and development. I urge all of us to embrace the president’s call of “Thuma Mina. We are all called to lend a hand in building our nation, let us go out and do so”, added Goya. Magwa Tea Estate employee King Masangwana said, “I will never forget this day and what government has done for us. Government interventions have elevated and given us tremendous strength to carry-on with what we do.When we reflect back on where we come from, we remember the pain we suffered along the way. “However,
as a result of the Business Rescue Plan we do not dwell in that pain, we rejoice because indeed the sun has risen and we can see a brighter future for the estate,” concluded Masangwana. Echoing the same sentiments Majola Tea Estate employee Mr Baleni affirmed the new dawn that has been brought by government’s interventions through the Business Rescue Plan. “We are grateful for the help given by government in ensuring that we continue to do what we do. Even though we still face challenges such as lack of adequate machinery, however, we are ecstatic that we still work and produce the tea. Finally a bright star is shining upon Magwa-Majola Tea Estates, thanks to the efforts of the department”, said Baleni
“Our success lies in our unity as workers, management and the administration in these estate”, added Baleni. In concluding her address, MEC Meth said, “Our Premier knows and loves this area. He loves agriculture and together with his office, we are committed to the development of this sector.Therefore, rest assured things are going to change for this region”.
“My department, Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) is working with the Department of Economic Development Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL), Magwa, Majola and Lambasi areas towards the construction of an Eco-Tourism belt that will ensure there is viable economic growth in the Pondoland region. We further want to ensure that we strive towards a ‘green Eastern Cape, and its starts here in this area”, said Meth.
“As I leave you today I want to say that ‘you will cry no more, your tears have been wiped away’. This is the solemn promise we are here to make today”, concluded MEC Meth.
