Durban - FORMER premier Willies Mchunu said he was humbled by the trust shown by government when he was appointed to chair the KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Development Agency.
Mchunu,73, will take up the position on Monday said Premier Sihle Zikalala during a cabinet meeting, on Wednesday, that approved the board’s appointment. The board’s main task would be to assist and develop emerging black farmers and farming communities whom government had returned land to.
Zikalala said government was concerned that most of the agricultural land returned to the black communities was lying idle after farming collapsed because communities lacked experience and resources to keep farm productive. The board will work closely with the Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Bongi Sithole whom the board will make recommendations to for implementation.
In an interview with the Daily News yesterday, Mchunu said he was humbled and grateful that the government believed he could still contribute to the improvement of the people’s lives in the province. He said he believed that the government wanted his 25 years of experience rather than going for academics.
“I am up to the task and geared towards making meaningful contributions. Even those farms that are still existing depended on the government for grants. This would be part of my board to ensure they were able to sustain themselves and create jobs for rural communities. We are going to work with all the organisations and help them export their product through Dube Trade Port. ”
He said they are expecting massive land reform which would come with the implementation of expropriation of land without compensation.
South African Farmers Development Association chief executive Dr Siyabonga Madlala welcomes the appointment, saying that his organisation has all the trust in Mchunu’s vast government experience.
Zikalala said the appointment of Mchunu and new board was part of efforts to facilitate a dynamic, transformed, diversified and sustainable agribusinesses sector in the province.
“The new board members have been tasked with speeding up the implementation of catalytic agricultural projects that will change the lives of many citizens and to ensure that they benefit in the entire agro-processing value chain,” Zikalala said.
Mchunu will work with inkosi Mbhekiseni Mazibuko as his deputy. Other board members are Thandeka Ntshangase, Sinethemba Cele, Nkosenhle Mngadi, Dianetse Mokoatle as well as Sifiso Gabela.
Daily News