Tshifhiwa Muifha
Mr Mathivha Nimrod from the National Department of Agriculture presenting during the Landcare Awareness Campaign event at Tshikuyu Village under Musina Local Municipality.
The community of Tshikuyu and the surrounding villages under Musina Local Municipality gathered at the Tshikuyu Tribal Council for an important awareness campaign on Landcare. The awareness is a government initiative aimed at promoting, restoring, and protecting the natural environment, while recognising the contributions of volunteers who work tirelessly to care for their local ecosystems.
Historically, Tshikuyu and its neighbouring villages were rich in mopane trees, which provided habitat for nutritious mopani worms, a vital food source for many locals. However, due to deforestation caused by illegal woodcutting, the area has seen a decline in these trees, severely impacting both the environment and local livelihoods. Because of this situation, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development acknowledged the need to conduct an awareness campaign in Tshikuyu.
The event featured a variety of relevant topics aimed at educating attendees on critical environmental issues. Topics discussed included Climate Change, Landcare and Land Use Management, Natural Resource Management and Conservation, Agri-Business, Water Use Licensing, Environmental Quality, Soil Use Management, the Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP), and Disaster Risk Management.
During the event, Ms Mihloti Taka from the Department of Water and Sanitation took the audience through the Water Use License application process, the requirements, and the license application process. Mihloti indicated that farmers, particularly those that use water for irrigation are legally required to have water Use License.
Mr Rambelani Mukondeleli, an EPWP Coordinator at LDARD Vhembe district provided farmers with valuable information about government support under Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) available for farmers. His presentation unpacked the whole EPWP support, the qualifying criteria, and the process for accessing assistance. EPWP is a government initiative which does not provide direct financial or infrastructural support to farmers. The programme creates temporary employment for unemployed individuals to work at eligible agricultural projects at no cost to the farmer.
By raising awareness and encouraging community involvement, the campaign sought to empower residents to act in restoring their local environment and ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources.
Keeping the audience entertained, women from Tshikuyu village performing the malende dance during the Landcare Awareness Campaign event at Tshikuyu Village under Musina Local Municipality.
