By OBAKENG MAJE
27 February 2025- The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi said as part of the poverty alleviation programmes in rural communities, his government will be working hand-in-glove with the North West House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders under the stewardship of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development through Agri-hubs in collaboration with the North West University (NWU), Agriculture Research Council, and other stakeholders.
Mokgosi, who delivered the State of the Province (SOPA) today at the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) in Mahikeng, said the objective is primarily aimed at driving agricultural development to empower emerging commercial farmers, while contributing to sustainable economic growth to address high poverty levels at rural communities and in district municipalities such as Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Ngaka Modiri Molema.
He further said on Monday, he will be launching a flagship programme of this initiative at the University’s Molelwane Farm in Mahikeng. Mokgosi added that in the next financial year, they will launch the “Ntime o Mphele Ngwana Poverty Alleviation Programme”, which is centred on addressing hunger and starvation amongst children and youth in economically depressed communities.
“I want to urge various non-governmental organisations and the private sector to partner with us in executing this initiative. Through the ILIMA/Letsema Programme and the Presidential Employment Stimulus, we are supporting over 5000 subsistence farmers in ensuring that no households in the province go to bed hungry.
“More than R60m has been set aside for the successful implementation of these programmes. An additional R80m of conditional grants will support farming communities in increasing food production across the province,” he said.
Mokgosi said the resuscitation of the Taung Irrigation Scheme is in full swing following their ongoing discussions and consultations with Bogosi and other key stakeholders. He said plans are already afoot to also revitalise the Disaneng, Molatedi, Hartebees and Mooibank Irrigation Schemes.
“In giving impetus to these plans, we will host a two-day Irrigation Symposium on the 5 and 6 March 2025, to develop a framework, as well as an implementation plan to drive agricultural production in rural and periphery communities.
“Restoring the dignity of our people remains one of the apex priorities of this government. To date over 6000 hectares of land have been restored to communities and rightful owners,” said Mokgosi.
He said through this programme, R4.5 billion was spent on land acquisition with over R430 million paid as development grants. Mokgosi said this includes the Bo-Moshe Communal Property Association, where over 670 hectares of land valued at more than R380m was restored to the community, which produces berries for export to international markets.
“This restoration has culminated in the investment of more than R40m and has created close to 5000 seasonal jobs and 31 permanent jobs for locals,” he said.
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