By REGINALD KANYANE

North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono said they donated 30 culled cattle to the deprived communities in order to advance government efforts to reduce poverty and hunger. 

Mohono outlined that the donation was done through the North West Social Development. The event was held at the Potchefstroom Agricultural College recently.

“We have handed over 30 culled cattle to the North West Department of Social Development (NWDSD) for them to donate meat to the needy communities in the province. The cattle, which formed part of the NWDARD’s livestock research and the development programme was mainly of Nguni and Afrikaner breed.

“The cattle will be slaughtered for final exploration before being handed over to the NWDSD. The NWDSD has identified centres such as orphanages, old age homes and homes hosting people with disabilities as well as those who care for vulnerable groups as beneficiaries of this good act,” she said.

Mohono said the meat will be handed over immediately after final data collection by the NWDARD in order to avoid risks associated with contamination. She further said her department’s food security programme is proud to have advanced efforts by donating meat to communities.

“We have undertaken some robust efforts in ensuring our people that they do not go to bed hungry. We did this, through our food security programme. I have led a departmental team to go to communities to plant vegetable gardens and fruit trees, gave chicken eggs, indigenous chickens, goats and many other inputs.

“This time, we are delighted as the department to donate meat. It says to us, we are advancing in our quest to ensure that we alleviate hunger. Our department’s research unit has confirmed that the cattle are fit and will also verify after slaughtering them that the meat is indeed fit for consumption,” said Mohono.

She added that her department realised its mandate of right to food and freedom charter clause which advocates for food to be plentiful for all. Mohono said the department is also seeking to enhance nutrition and quality of its life to the most vulnerable communities and endorse independence. 

“As the impacts of COVID-19 take its toll on many people, it was imperative for government to strengthen its efforts to empower communities. The demand for food has gone higher now and it is a challenge because we have seen that many people have lost jobs.

“Agriculture now needs to be productive by bringing new and efficient methods to ensure that people have food. Research is one critical component as it supports the department’s contribution to the development of animal agriculture. This includes the exploration of improving livestock production systems, management practices, animal health, and welfare as well as food quality and safety amongst others,” Mohono said.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela lauded communities after more than 38 000 Grade 12 learners across the province begin with their preliminary examinations without any disruptions. Matsemela said her department regards the preliminary examinations as a major assessment tool for the Grade 12 learners and will play a vital role in the School-Based Assessment marks.

“The 2020 academic year was engulfed by long school breaks posed by Covid-19. The recess has reduced the contact time between learners and teachers. However, the long school breaks could not discourage learners from attending school and many schools have completed their syllabus.

“On behalf of the department, I would like to thank our communities for the smooth running of the examinations on the first day. I am optimistic that learners will finish their examinations without any disruptions. We have tightened all processes for the question papers not to be leaked, right from printing until to the school level,” she said.

Matsemela added that they have contracted the private securities to the storage point too. She also encouraged learners to continue to work very hard now that they are closer to the finishing line.

“Learners should ensure that they collect the marks of the preliminary examinations as they will be added in their results at the end of the year. The preliminary examinations will be concluded on 2 October 2020 with the writing of Economics P2.

“The Grade 12 learners will write their final examinations from 05 November 2020 until 15 December 2020 and marking will start on 03 January 2021,” said Matsemela.

Kebonang Secondary School Grade 12 learner, Kelebogile Motshidi (18) said: “I wrote well my first English paper although I was nervous. We have finished the syllabus in all our subjects and I believe that we will pass the examinations.”

Letsatsing Science High School principal, Paseka Molefe shared the same sentiments. Molefe said he is confident that learners would make them exceptionally proud this year irrespective of the Covid-19. 

He further said as teachers, they have been working on revision and that will assist learners to know on which areas need special focus. “, said Molefe.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

North West Agriculture and Rural Development department employees at the Agric Centre offices embarked on protest on Monday. Most workers who are aligned to the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) alleged that the Agri Centre building has been flagged as falling short of safety standards by the Department of Labour.

Nehawu regional secretary, Zanele Law said the Agri Centre building was unkempt, with ablution facilities constantly breaking down. Law urged the department to address safety measures before workers can return to work.

“As Nehawu regional structure, we were called by our Mahikeng branch to intervene after they have been requested to come back to work at the Agric Centre offices even though they have been declared inhabitable by the Department of Labour.

“So, we urge the North West Agriculture and Rural Development department to rectify those hazardous methods first. It cannot expect our workers to return to work even though the building has been declared not usable by the Department of Labour,” he said.  

Meanwhile, the North West Agriculture and Rural Development department’s acting Head of Department (HoD), Dipepeneneng Serage said: “There are two challenges that I think we need to separate. All dilapidated buildings with all infrastructure and its designs are things that we cannot resolve in a short and medium-term.

“We have engaged the landlord as you know the government departments do rent these buildings from Public Works. So, as soon as the Public Works department gives us another building, we are packed and ready to go.”

Employees also raised the cleanliness at the offices and Serage said they busy addressing that matter and it will be resolved by next week. He said the challenge resulted that most of their house-keeping officials are either above the age of 60 or have comorbidities that make it impossible for them to report for duty.  

“The cleaning and safety of the building at the Agri-Centre have never been outsourced. It has always been done by internal staff but they cannot be able to come to work owing it to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“However, we are busy planning to outsource a private cleaning company to subdue the situation. We have issued a notice to the entire staff that their offices are in bad shape and do not have usable ablution to work from home. By the way, we have been doing this throughout COVID-19 lockdown levels,” said Serage.

He said only essential workers will be moved to corridors that are better and equitable.

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