By Communication team
MEC Kekana, officials and a newly elected Bjatladi CPA and Impact Catalyst, who are tasked with the responsibility of developing a master plan to resuscitate the Zebediela Citrus.
MEC Nakedi Kekana has met with the newly elected Bjatladi CPA and Impact Catalyst, who are tasked with the responsibility of developing a master plan to resuscitate the Zebediela Citrus farm on 10 March 2025. The MEC congratulated the newly elected CPA and was formally presented with the master plan.
The importance of the citrus farm cannot be overstated, as it plays a crucial role in providing much-needed jobs in the community.
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recognises this need and is committed to supporting the plan to revive the farm. The once World-Renowned Citrus farm has been in the public eye for all but no good reason, with many interventions having failed during the structural inefficiencies. With the master plan now currently under consideration by the community, and once adopted, a steering committee will be established and breathe life into the bleeding farm.
This highly technical committee will include representatives from the Office of the Premier, the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, and the National Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. All these entities were present at the meeting held at the Zebediela Citrus offices.
LDARD is eager to see progress on the farm as soon as possible. The Impact Catalyst, in collaboration with the department, invested in the master plan, with the goal of studying the hydrological impact on the farm and exploring investment opportunities. The plan details how the farm could breathe again. The CPA expressed their satisfaction in meeting with the MEC.
