Early Christmas for Matsamo farms
NKOMAZI - Christmas came early for members of the Matsamo Communal Property Association (CPA), as working tools worth R33m were handed over to this association on November 14.
This included a full complement of tools and implements purchased with grant funding provided by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, such as TLBs, four tractors, two bakkies and others. Additional funds were also allocated for engineering services.
The equipment was delivered and received with ululation and dances from the CPA members.
According to Mduduzi Shabangu, the acting chairperson, the funding will come in very handy for the CPA’s operations.
“It is appreciated. We are grateful for the support provided, though much is still needed due to the needs and size of the CPA,” explained Shabangu.
Mbuso Thumbathi, a CPA member and chairperson of the oversight committee, said the grant is welcomed and seen as a value add to their operations.
“The general membership is grateful for the intervention. It is what we always argued and advocated for. Without any form of support from the state, including development finance institutes and private investors, these projects will collapse.
The support must be both technical and monetary. A combination of certain sets of skills, visionary leadership and corporate governance understanding are critical for any business, and so are they here. Otherwise, the absence thereof sets these communities up for failure,” stressed Thumbathi.
He said the tools will have positive socio-economic impact on the CPA and its beneficiaries, and will save it money and enhance the brand.
“A number of job opportunities will be created. The CPA will not have to rely on or pay service providers for plant and equipment hire, and the balance sheet will be improved,” said Thumbathi.
The Matsamo CPA was formed in 2007. Farms were acquired mostly in 2010 and 2011, but more land is required.
Most of the farms transferred belonged to the then Tsb Sugar, now RCL Foods, and other individual companies. The gross produce is sugar cane, which is sold to RCL Malalane Mill.
All farms purchased from RCL are managed through a joint venture company, Sivunosetfu.