By Zwi Maphiri, Pfumelani Tsedu and Matsobane Manaka
Various stakeholders participate in ministerial pre-imbizo at Batubatse Primary School in Praktiseer.
Minister of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) Thoko Didiza accompanied by her deputy Mcebisi Skhwatsha and Head of Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) Jaqueline Maisela interacted with various farmers organisations and members of Communal Property Associations.
Other delegations in the entourage were Director-General Mooketsa Ramasodi, Deputy Director-General Nasel Mehlomakhulu, Regional Land Claims Commissioner (RLCC) Lebyane Maphutha, LDARD Chief Director responsible for District Services Jethro Nowata, Limpopo RLCC Chief Director Tele Maphoto, PSSC Chief Director Dr Modumo Ramodumo, Surveyor-General in Limpopo Mason Sibanda including Programme Directors within the Provincial Shared Service Centre (PSSC).
The engagement was held at Batubatse Primary School in Praktiseer ahead of the 8th (DDM) District Development Model Presidential Imbizo to take place a day after, in Fetakgomo-Tubatse Local Municipality, Sekhukhune District in Limpopo on 13 July 2023.
Daniel Letsoalo (DALRRD Sekhukhune District Director), Harry Maboa (LDARD Sekhukhune District Director) and Jethro Nowata (Chief Directorate: Agriculture Development and Farmer Support Services)
Pre-Presidential Imbizo meant to assess the department’s progress and challenges in a quest to find solutions.
Many people heeded the President’s call for imbizo. Among them included the traditional leaders, farmers associations, councilors, Women in Agriculture and Rural Development and individual farmers as well as Communal Property Associations (CPAs).
The sessions were divided into two – with the first session involving farmers and farmers’ association and the second session meant for members of the Community Property Associations. The participants used the platform as a vehicle to raise their concerns, successes, and failures. Various concerns were voiced out such as water license by Justice Mohlala, water scarcity and load shedding raised by Charles Mabelane and stock theft issue by Abigail Mogofe, who also proposed mobile agriculture in future.
On the other hand of CPAs, Joseph Mashosho who represents 42 CPAs in Waterberg District, made request to allow the forum to prepare a holistic submission of CPAs issues at a later stage prior to Minister’s convenient time for their presentation. All issues were responded to by the Minister with assistance by programme managers from their respective directorates.
Abigail Mogofe raises concerns about stock theft, illegal land occupation and encourages mobile agriculture in future.
Deputy Minister Mcebisi Skhwatsha, Minister Thoko Didiza, LDARD HoD Jacqueline Maisela and Land Claims Commissioner Tele Maphotho
