by Olwetu Batyi | Nov 18, 2020 | atp1
EC to create multi-billion Cannabis business
By Thozi kaManyisana
The Eastern Cape provincial government is committed in developing a multi-billion industrialised cannabis value chain in a province that was referred to as the “dagga capital of South Africa.”
This was revealed by the MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) Nomakhosazana Meth during the Provincial Top Management Stakeholder Engagement for the 2020 Cannabis Bill for Private Purposes held at the East London ICC.
“We intend to develop a multi-billion-rand industrialised cannabis value chain that enables the empowerment of small-scale farmers and the development of agro-processing co-operative hubs.
She said the hubs will focus in value chains that include seed, medicine, Bio-fuel and plastic, building, textile and paper, adding that the province has had a number of people exceeding any other province using this plant for their economic survival.
“Cannabis offers an opportunity unprecedented in South Africa’s history since the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand in 1886 as South Africa’s much maligned and excluded green gold, with massive potential to birth a new sunrise industry to lift us out of economic recession, poverty and unemployment.
“The potential for cannabis in our province and the country is enormous. Our province has drought-resistant acclimatised genetic strains that have naturalised over hundreds of years, combined with tens of thousands of existing farmers who are familiar with the crop and how to grow it,” she said.
She said the first cannabis engagement held in August last year, “agreed to boldly pace into this green future and design systems that allow us to live within our economic and ecological limits.”
Meth briefed the stakeholders about the work done by DRDAR “in building a foundation for the development of this lucrative industry” including tasking the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA) to develop a framework, strategy and business case for cannabis in the Province.
ECRDA was allocated R4,5 million to support farmers with permits to acquire seed and fencing and to establish a Cannabis Technical Advisory Team to provide the scientific knowledge, commercial expertise, capacity building, training and investment mobilization required to unlock this sunrise industry for the Eastern Cape.
Furthermore, the department is coordinatines by establishing technical production teams, awareness campaigns, business and implementation plans, infrastructure requirements and application for Cannabis sativa production license for growers.
She said Cannabis education and training is critical and a proposal was made to the Executive Council (EXCO) for the formation of a Cannabis research, training and development programme to be hosted in the old Lusikisiki Teachers’ College.
“We are developing a 5-year cannabis research, training and development plan for the establishment of this entity . This will provide critical support to this emerging industry,” said Meth
She said the province’s inputs on the Bill, which aims to regulate the cultivation, possession and use of cannabis and cannabis plants by adults for personal use as well as protect adults and children against the harm of cannabis was due on November 30.
The gathering was graced by Social Development MEC Siphokazi Lusithi and Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs Xolile Nqata, DRDAR Portfolio Committee Chairperson Dr Fundisile Bese as well as Executive Mayors, Councillors, Cannabis lobby groups ,leadership of government departments and legal experts.
The event saw stakeholders engaging on the contents of the Bill including perceived socio and legal shortfalls, potential impact on farmers and traditional healers, economic potential in the province, public health and actions to development Cannabis framework.
MEC Mani- Lusithi, during the question and answer session, called for “social lobbying” that will reach out to all stakeholders including medical doctors, religious and traditional leaders and social workers “so that we can talk about facts more than perceptions and demistfy Cannabis.”
“We need to check the impact of social and welfare and reposition the plant in the society as it is normally linked with chemical drugs like mandrax,” she said.
Well-known Cannabis legalisation activist Prince Garreth, emphasised that the Bill must be discussed by both the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) and National Parliament.
This will ensure that inputs from provinces can be considered hence it is imperative that the province makes a submission for the Bill involve the input of the provinces,” he said.
As it stands the Bill will not be sent to the NCOP ,the provinces’ inputs will be sent to the National Assembly before it is sent to the President to be made law
Speaking about the impact of the Bill in the life of the indigenous farmers in the Pondoland, Philasande Mhlakata of the Pondoland Cannabis Corp said she was “excited” about the legislation that will “allow us to live with what we have been supported with.
“People in the Pondoland were raised and taken to schools using dagga-raised money and seeing this initiative by government, we are surely going to develop more.
“This is a great opportunity that will allow people to take control of their lives by making a living for themselves by being allowed to lawfully sell Cannabis. We do not want to be dependent on grants but we want to make our money and sustain our families,” she said.
A traditional healer, Greekson Zweni said they were using the Cannabis for medicinal, spiritual healing and animal feed, especially for poultry.
“We are using it as a booster and energizer for healers and it is known for treatment of Epilepsy, Asthma, Insomnia and Pain Management and others hence we need it in large quantities.
“Traditional healers are not all growers of Cannabis hence limiting supply as the Bill is proposing will result in delayed healing,” Zweni said.
Traditional leader Prince Leslie Sigcau “Cannabis cultivation and consumption forms both history and culture for famers under Traditional Authorities in the rural Eastern Cape.
“In its present form, the Private Use Bill is restrictive to traditional cannabis farming practices, thus affecting livelihoods of communities under traditional authority.”
He said the traditional leadership has undertaken to unpack the present Cannabis Bill for Private Use, listen to farmers, traditional healers and traditional leadership as well as gather and interpret their views and wishes of community to “make a meaningful contribution that can be used by government” in the finalization of the Bill.
Nicholas Heinamann from the Director Afristar Cannabis Lobby Group, who is part of the technical advisory team, said the Cannabis had multi-economic benefits from the flower where one gets medical and recreational benefits.
He said the seed was capable of creating bio-fuel, plastic and can be used for personal care in the form of food while the flower is used for medicinal products and recreational use, the stalk can make clothing, paper, building material and bedding.
Heinamann said on average a farmer can get R175 00 per hector while the plant had socio economic potential that included but not limited to affordable health care, immune boosting food and petroleum replacement.
He said the value chain of Cannabis, which start from cultivation, harvesting, processing, creation of smokable flower and flower processing, refining, manufacturing of health and beauty products, distribution and retail was “so lucrative” and can create jobs.
He added that Cannabis will establish a “new pathway for rural development” and develop agro-processing cooperatives hubs and enable empowerment of small-scale farmers, adding that local markets should be developed.
“We need rapid industrialization of Cannabis,” Heinamann said.
Mr Zweni gave a detailed explanation on the use of Cannabis for traditional healing .
Speaking about the Cannabis for the public health in the province, Dr Shiksha Gallow said there was “need to remove the stigma associated with Cannabis,” adding that her presentation was based on medical research.
“It is a healing plant not a drug. It cannot be compared to alcohol as some speakers did before me. The addiction cannot be equated to cocaine, heroin or alcohol ,” she said.
Gallow further advised that should Cannabis be utilized patients will have “access to affordable healthcare in rural and remote areas.”
Speaking for the Rastafari community, Mzamo Dayimane said they “give thanks” to the consultation concerning the Bill that will allow use of Cannabis but they are opposing the Bill as it “overly regulating the use of our sacred plant.”
“We totally oppose the Bill as it is infringing the right to use our sacrament plant because for us it is a spiritual tree and that is not addressed in that level in this Bill.
“If this Bill is over regulated it takes away the right of indigenous people. As the Eastern Cape government and the people we have to come together and chart the way on how we make our voice heard because Cannabis is mostly used here,” said Dayimane.
DDG for Agriculture Development Leon Coetzee said he was “very encouraged by the passion shown by the stakeholders here and I learnt a lot.
“There is no doubt in my mind that there can be anyone here who can doubt the potential of this industry, it is there.
“We need to put our ducks in the row aand we do not need to under estimate that knowledge and existing systems,” he said.
Coetzee said DRDAR will make submission to the Department of Justice that will cover what is raised in the engagements but he said “individual organisations” can also make their own submissions,
Making vote of thanks, MEC Nqata said he “expressed gratitude” on behalf of the provincial government to MEC Meth for leading a gathering that came with “clear and incisive” means on what should be done to collectively develop the Cannabis industry.
“You are putting together a plan that will ensure our people benefit. We should use Cannabis as the gold to change the economic picture of this province. I am happy traditional leaders are part of this gathering so that they can understand land should be used to benefit the communities not to be sold to the highest bidders,” he said.
by Olwetu Batyi | Nov 13, 2020 | atp1
Cattle farming solutions expected from revamped dip tank
MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Nomakhosazana Meth officially handed over a dipping tank to be used by three villages under Qutsa Administrative Area in Tsomo.
The handover of the facility came at a time where Nyokana, Ndungwana and Shweni communities were experiencing rampant stock theft and tick borne diseases which affected their livestock.
Speaking during the hand over, the MEC encouraged farmers to take care of their livestock.
“The department runs a livestock improvement programme. The programme doesn’t only talk about genetic improvement of animals but it touches even on animal health –one of the factors that determine the quality of animals,” said Meth.
Livestock farmers in the area said they were faced with the challenge of livestock theft, tick borne diseases, lack of animal branding, and vaccination.
According to Mzwamadoda Elefu, chairperson for the Qutsa Village dip committee their problems began when the dipping tank they were using started collapsing three years ago. Due to this, livestock registration, vaccinations and dipping ceased.
“We were suddenly overwhelmed with cases of stray cattle which were easy to steal because they weren’t registered. Other farmers lost huge numbers of their cattle because of diseases that broke out after we had stopped dipping and we suffered major losses,” he added.
MEC Meth said she expected the local farmers to go back to the old ways of communal livestock farming where all animals of a particular area were branded and recorded in the books of the dip committee to curb cases of stock theft.
One of the farmers, Nonzame Nketo who had identified a market for hides said her customers complained about the quality of the hides she sold to them.
Nketo buys hides from locals and sells them to neighbouring towns for processing.
“The dilapidation of the cattle dipping tank had far reaching impact even on those who just buy cattle for slaughtering because the meat was of inferior quality and so were the hides that I specialize on. Cattle suddenly grew tumors that turned into sores,” said Nketo.
Dr Tafadzwa Chimbwande of the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform added that cattle that weren’t dipped stood a greater chance of contracting tick-borne diseases like the redwater, anaplasmosis and other parasitic diseases.
But the renovated cattle dip tank in Ndungwane Village is expected to bring solutions to all the challenges identified by the farmers.
The dip tank consists of two separate pans to be used for vaccination, animal branding, registration and castration.
MEC Meth said her department would ensure accessibility of state veterinarians and animal health technicians to further transfer basic animal health skills to locals.
The renovations of the facility were carried out by youths from the three villages through the EPWP programme.
by Olwetu Batyi | Nov 2, 2020 | atp1
Bushula to lead Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development(YARD )
Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) MEC Nomakhosazana Meth called on youth in the agricultural sector to be united because government needed “feel” their existence through the impact they make in food security.
“We want to see the youth vibrancy and visibility. Actually, we want to feel that you are indeed involved in food security. There are many opportunities in this industry as both the provincial and national governments are saying agriculture is the game changer. The future is bright when the youth is in the forefront and I am proud of you. Now it is the time for youth to take leadership in this sector,” she said.
The MEC was speaking during the launch of the provincial Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development (YARD) structure held the NYDA premises in Mthatha where youth from all district gathered to elect a provincial leadership.
She said she was also proud that the young people that “are walking the talk and are already creating jobs.”
“The energy and knowledge of these youngsters will bring change in this sector. Youth should be able to make contribution to issues that affect their future hence I am happy to see you. It is critical to equip youth with skills to create jobs. We do not want young people with business that is not sustainable hence we will assist you,” she said to loud applause.
Chief Director for District Coordination Hamilton Ntsabo said DRDAR “saw it fit” to organise young people in the sector to form a structure so that they can be “united with the vision of ensuring food security.
“We are building the nation by ensuring young people are united so that we can hear and understand their needs and their contribution so that we provide the much needed support collectively. We are serious about creating young generation of farmers and this structure will ensure that,” he said.
The structure, led by award-winning youth farmer from Stutterheim, Mlungisi Sonwabile Bushula is tasked with stimulating the thinking of youth to acknowledge and take agriculture, forestry and fisheries as a commercial venture.
They are mandated to expand youth participation in the sector and facilitate the provision of support including agriculture extension and advisory, mentorship as well as entrepreneurial and business skills.
Bushula, who is into forestry and game farming, said the youth “feels honoured and privileged” that DRDAR has organised them so that they can have a structure that will “unlock the potential and support ” young people.
“I am happy that, all of us in this committee are active in agriculture so we will be showcasing our work to encourage others to join in.
“I want to make this sector to be attractive and vibrant among young people so that we can change the current demographics that are currently dominated by the elderly.
“We will empower the existing projects so that we can encourage young people to see agriculture as a career and lucrative business ,” he said.
The YARD committee is made of young people that are in poultry, crop, vermiculture, piggery, vegetables, forestry, game farming and livestock
by Olwetu Batyi | Oct 26, 2020 | atp1
Agriculture is a business and you can make life out of it
The department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) will assist 28-year-old Yonela Ndzoboyi with a borehole for irrigation purposes where he plants different kinds of vegetables, MEC Nomakhosana Meth announced.
She was speaking during a visit to the Lencolin Green Project in Ludeke Village in Bizana,“inspired and impressed” by work done by Ndzoboyi an agriculture graduate who “chose doing business instead of seeking employment.”
“We are proud to have people of this caliber, who are focused and have vision to develop others. I am inspired and impressed about how this young man is showing his love for agriculture hence the department will assist by drilling a borehole so that the good work can continue.
“We want to create a generation of farmers and Yonela has showed us that, that is possible,” said Meth.
The visit and the event at Ludeke forms part of the Provincial government’s celebration of the birth of the late political activist Tata Oliver Tambo, who attended his primary school in Ludeke.
Ndzoboyi, an Agriculture Management graduate, says he was “inspired by my late father. I say I was raised to become a farmer, as everyone in this village knew how I used to hold a plough from young age when we using cattle to plant.
“I started this initiative from the funds I saved from the stipend I received when I was doing my in-service training. I was offered a job to manage a farm in Pretoria but I chose to do my own business instead of making someone else a millionare,” said the spirited young person.
He told the farmers and the community members attending the event that the industry “needs someone who does research, willing to share ideas and be exposed in good agricultural practices.”
After telling the MEC that he used to use his father’s cattle to prepare land before plant, she said “you are leaving example that its laziness that make people not venture into things because of the condition they are faced with.”
The project markets and sells its produce to hawkers, Boxer Store in Bizana and the community. The department assisted with mechanization, planting inputs and pesticides.
“All I can say about this department is that, I appreciate what it has done for me since I started in 2007. I also preach that ‘agriculture is a business and you can make life out of it.”
Development in the project includes planting of potatoes in 5ha of land in a partnership with Potato SA, this has been facilitated by DRDAR.
by Olwetu Batyi | Oct 14, 2020 | atp1
THE Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and agrarian Reform recently held its Annual Women
Empowerment programme where MEC Nomakhosazana Meth urged women under her department’s employ to lift each other as they climb up the corporate ladder.
The two-day Women Empowerment programme took place at the East London-based Alexandre Golf course from Thursday to Friday.
According to organiser who is also director for the SPU, Lulama Manitshana the programme is meant to emancipate women and push for gender equality within and beyond the work space.
Addressing the attendees who came from all districts of province, MEC Meth said in many instances women were the stumbling blocks on each other’s progress.
Meth vehemently denounced the ‘pull her down’ syndrome which she said was prevalent among women.
“As slow as it may be but the government is working tirelessly to eliminate inequality across all spheres of life and this is evident through the ongoing changes in our policies.
But even us, ourselves, need to come to the party and become wheels of the change they want to see
“The system was anchored on patriarchy and it is us the victims who need to unite, stand up and speak in one women voice as women stop pulling each other down so a selected few can climb up and join the men up there,” said Meth.
Newsletter 12 October 2020 DRDAR women told to lift as they rise.
She said the issue of gender oppression could no longer be put on ice.
“Let’s lift each other up as we rise. We are in this together and we must fight for equality where everyone
–men and women- are able to grow in the workplace based on merit not because we want to meet a quota.
This starts with respecting the cleaner and the woman who makes you coffee and clean your office. Create an
environment where that cleaner can become the HOD in the next five years,” said Meth.
Bulelwa Lusaseni who delivered a motivational talk on the day echoed Meth’s sentiments and encouraged women to be ‘fixers’of each other’s crown.
She said the apparent division among women was a coping mechanism to male dominance.
“Women have resorted to dropping the things that seem to weigh them down so they can fly high to the top and unfortunately those ‘things’ that seem to be weighing them down are fellow women.
Let’s uplift one another because we only have ourselves,” said Lusaseni.
The empowerment session took place on a flamboyant gala dinner fashion with strict observation of the COVID-19 regulations.
