Farmer's Weekly (South Africa)
Eastern Cape communities receive plantations
Traditional leaders and community members were urged to protect forests and use them as a means of creating employment and income during a handover of eucalyptus plantations to communities in the Eastern Cape.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) recently handed over the Qholorha and Kei Mouth plantations in the Mnquma Local Municipality, kwaNontshinga Village in Centane.
Led by DFFE Deputy Minister Makhotso Magdeline Sotyu, the programme was supported by Deputy Minister of Human Settlements, Pam Tshwete, Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Nonkqubela Pieters, Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Pinky Kekana, Mnquma Local Municipality mayor Tunyiswa Manxila-Nkamisa and the Imidushane Traditional Council represented by Chief Mekeni Phikisa.
Speaking at the handover, Sotyu said forestry was a great economic driver that needed to be invested in. “These eucalyptus trees can yield a lot of products that are in demand in the market economy. You must look after these plantations and prevent illegal hewing of the wood,” she said, noting how the products were being used for medicinal purposes.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Phikisa officially accepted the Community Forest Agreement (CFA) on behalf of the community.
“We have high hopes from this handover, among them, employment opportunities for our children, who despite having qualifications, are still without jobs,” said Phikisa.
Calling for co-operation among the wards of Imidushane, he said:
“My wish is to see this project grow to greater heights and for that to happen, we all need to be of one mind, one understanding and commitment to its daily operations.”
Handing over a plantation at Ntlangaza village in Mqanduli, Sotyu together with Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform Deputy Minister Zoleka Capa and Tshwete were accompanied by OR Tambo District Municipality deputy mayor Thokozile Sokhanyile, King Sabata Dalindyebo and local municipality mayor Nyaniso Nelani.
Sotyu handed over a signed CFA to Chief Manzolwandle Sandile of Manqabe Traditional Authority.
The trees planted in the forest will be used to build furniture and other timber-related products. Sotyu said she would ask the education department to source its furniture from the community. –