Youth awarded one Banyana Farms plot

Acting Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Sethomo Lelatisitswe said just one farm at the prime Banyana Farms was allocated to youth.

Lelatisitswe told Parliament last Wednesday that from the nine farms, which were advertised and awarded at Banyana Farms from November 1, 2019 to August 1, 2020 under Phase 2 restructuring, only one was given to youth. He stated that the said farm measures 4,967 hectares and is currently being developed and yet to be stocked. Banyana Farms was in the past a centre of controversy after it emerged that President Mokgweetsi Masisi was one of those who were awarded land at the prime area.

Although it is not illegal for presidents to engage in commercial enterprises, there was a public uproar after allegations surfaced that Masisi was considered despite his bid not meeting the brief.

At the time, there were media reports to the effect that the President acted unethically and flouted procurement rules by seeking to rent a large portion of the state-owned Banyana Farms.

Despite protests, Masisi was awarded a piece of land at Banyana Farms measuring 4,947 hectares. Many commentators were of the view that Batswana, especially the youth needed the land more than the President. “Under Phase 2 restructuring, eight subdivisions were awarded between November 1, 2019, and August 1st, 2020 to Batswana individuals and Batswana companies and are currently being developed, fenced, paddocked and stocked,” explained Lelatisitswe.

Lelatisitswe, who is the substantive Minister of Health and Wellness, also told Parliament that 10 farms were allocated to people and companies under Phase 1 restructuring in December 2011 and are currently stocked with beef cattle and are fully operational.

He also told Parliament that plots that were allocated to Hereford community in Kgalagadi District and Mabule, Sekhutlane, Lerolwane communities in the Southern District through Presidential Directive CAB21/2015, August 20, 2015 are yet to be developed.

He said it is now over six years at a cost to Banyana Company. Notwithstanding, the minister explained that there are plans by the respective district councils to assist the two adjacent communities to develop the farms.

“Once the Kgalagadi and the Southern District councils have mobilised to assist their respective communities to develop their farms as it is currently alluded to by the respective authorities, there is no farm awarded and yet to be developed at Banyana Farms,” he added.

Lelatisitswe was responding to a question by Member of Parliament for Kgalagadi South, Sam Brooks who wanted the minister to state: how many farms were allocated to the youth at Banyana Farms; the size and extent of the farm developments; the number and names of farms awarded to individuals or companies and those that are not yet developed; and finally the way forward regarding these farms.