Eastern Cape Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC Nomakhosazana Meth visited Magwa-Majola Tea Estates to see progress on the rescue plan progress and plans for eco-tourism in the area. Following her pronouncement in her policy speech, MEC joined hundreds of tea pickers, factory worker and various stakeholders at Magwa Tea Estate in Lusikisiki.
Subsequent to government’s intervention through the Business Rescue Plan where the Grahamstown Town High Court appointed a business rescue practitioner responsible for the implementation of the business rescue plan(BRP), the department has already injected R20-million for the BRP which saw operations starting afresh after a prolonged break caused by labour unrest. Part of the rescue plan included the merging of Majola Tea Estate to Magwa to form one entity.
Speaking during the main event, MEC Meth said, “I have been here before, at a time where employees were not getting paid. Today, ‘izinto zijikile’, loosely translated ‘the tides have turned’. The estate is back in business, employees are now able to earn a salary. Indeed, a new dawn has come… not only that but the sun has risen and shines on these hills and valleys of the Pondoland”.
“We are, therefore, here to thank you for your perseverance. Furthermore, reassure you that the money owed to you for having worked 11 months without pay, will be payed to you”, added Meth. Ingquza Hill Local Municipality Mayor Bambezakhe Goya said there were those who did not believe in government’s efforts of trying to rescue the estate, which has provided job opportunities for hundreds of families in the Lusikisiki area and beyond.
“Government will never allow the shutdown of Magwa or Majola Tea Estates instead we will support them. No establishment employs more people in this local municipality than these two tea estates, we therefore, need to ensure that we keep them running and thus secure the employment of these individuals”. “I have never seen the beauty and serenity like what I have seen going around the Magwa area today. Let us preserve the nature and take care of our province. There are great prospects of development in this region and as government, we commit to its revival and development. I urge all of us to embrace the president’s call of “Thuma Mina. We are all called to lend a hand in building our nation, let us go out and do so”, added Goya. Magwa Tea Estate employee King Masangwana said, “I will never forget this day and what government has done for us. Government interventions have elevated and given us tremendous strength to carry-on with what we do.When we reflect back on where we come from, we remember the pain we suffered along the way. “However,
as a result of the Business Rescue Plan we do not dwell in that pain, we rejoice because indeed the sun has risen and we can see a brighter future for the estate,” concluded Masangwana. Echoing the same sentiments Majola Tea Estate employee Mr Baleni affirmed the new dawn that has been brought by government’s interventions through the Business Rescue Plan. “We are grateful for the help given by government in ensuring that we continue to do what we do. Even though we still face challenges such as lack of adequate machinery, however, we are ecstatic that we still work and produce the tea. Finally a bright star is shining upon Magwa-Majola Tea Estates, thanks to the efforts of the department”, said Baleni
“Our success lies in our unity as workers, management and the administration in these estate”, added Baleni. In concluding her address, MEC Meth said, “Our Premier knows and loves this area. He loves agriculture and together with his office, we are committed to the development of this sector.Therefore, rest assured things are going to change for this region”.
“My department, Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) is working with the Department of Economic Development Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL), Magwa, Majola and Lambasi areas towards the construction of an Eco-Tourism belt that will ensure there is viable economic growth in the Pondoland region. We further want to ensure that we strive towards a ‘green Eastern Cape, and its starts here in this area”, said Meth.
“As I leave you today I want to say that ‘you will cry no more, your tears have been wiped away’. This is the solemn promise we are here to make today”, concluded MEC Meth.