Greater Kokstad Municipality
Adam Kok III Building
75 Hope Street
P.O. Box 8
Kokstad 4700
E-mail address: gkmcommunications@kokstad.gov.za
Contact Numbers:
Tel: 039 797 6602
Fax: 039 797 6701/039 727 3676
The Greater Kokstad Municipal Manager, Mr Sipho Zwane has issued a stern warning to those who might want to disrupt the Municipality's efforts in promoting agriculture as part of fighting poverty, promoting food security and creating jobs.
Mr Zwane issued the warning during an official handover of a planting Nursery to Libelihle Cooperative, which consists of five members in Ward 4.
The project was through the assistance of the local conglomerate, Dorning Group, which donated ploughing and garden material including a 5000-litre Jojo tank and a ton of pot soil.
The equipment was handed over to the beneficiaries through the Greater Kokstad Municipality, which has also donated seedling trays, a 2500-litre Jojo tank and pipes (irrigation system) and constructed a 10mX20m greenhouse.
Speaking at the official handover, Mr Zwane said; "it is cool for now since this is a start but I know the influence that will follow when the business of the beneficiaries starts making a profit, people will crop up with senseless views and accusations and this is what happens to several projects like this.
Mr Zwane continued to appeal that money should never create divisions amongst the members because this is their future where they will plant and make a profit through the assistance of the Municipality and the Department of Agriculture.
“Should the fight over money start, we shall take the project away from your hands and give it to other people who deserve it,” Mr Zwane said.
He urged the community of Kokstad to rise and plough to produce food from the soil.
“I cannot understand why people prefer going out to look for jobs while there is land lying fallow, which they can use to print their own money,” said Mr Zwane.
He said planting is very important at this time of economic uncertainty where everything is expensive, especially food.
Mr Phindile Nojaja of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in KwaZulu-Natal said the programme is in line with their programmes of promoting planting in the form of one home one garden. He promised that they would be available to assist the nursery at all times, free of charge.
Feziwe Manxusa who represented her Manager from Dorning Group said her superiors also promised to give assistance where needed as they want to see the project succeed. She said they will often pay a visit to monitor it.
By Andile Moshoeshoe
