By Obakeng Maje
Taung- The Deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe visited Taung Agricultural College as part of “Poverty allievation” programme. Motlanthe was accompanied by minister of Home Affairs Naledi Pandor, premier of North West Thandi Modise and MEC of Agriculture mme Desbo Mohono.

The outgoing deputy president also came along with ambassador of Denmark mr R dinesen and the Managing Director of Haldor Topse, mr Helge Rosenberg.

The main aim of the visit was to handover R10 million donation from the late Denmark businessman Haldor. Topsoe.

Topsoe donated R10 million to Taung Agricultural college in his plea to develop rural areas. Motlanthe said he met with Topsoe sometime ago while visiting Denmark and Topsoe could not keep quite about South Africa and Taung Agricultural College.

“Mr Topsoe could not hold his breathe when talking about South Africa as a beautiful country and said he would like to celebrate his 100th birthday in the country” Motlanthe said.

Unfortunately mr Topsoe died four days before his 100th birthday and he could not fulfil his wish, however he donated R10 million to the college.

MEC of Agriculture, Conservation, Enviroment and Rural Development said her department welcome the donation and will make sure is put in good use.
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“This is part of bettering the economy of South Africa and will also benefit the economy. I can assure you that Taung will be turned into an agricultural town and just give me only two years” Mohono said.

Taung is an agricultural forefront area and however is poverty-stricken. The Taung Agricultural College received its accreditation last year and according to the principal of Agricultural colleges in the North West, Pepenene Serage the donation comes in handy.

“The college just received its accreditation last year to operate fully and we planning to develop the community of Taung at large by offering them skills and transformation. The 40% of the money will be allocated on developing the communities. We having a piloted project called mobile training in agriculture. We will visit the members of the community and equipped them with neccessary skill” Serage said.

Kgosi Tshepo Mankoroane applauds the Topsoe company and sent his appreciation to the late Haldor Topsoe for the donation. “We apprectiate the donation and we hope it will benefit our community. Taung is a poverty-striken area, but we need to commend its people who took it amongst themselves and made sure the college is sustainable” Mankoroane said.-TDN
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