SHOCKING RESHUFFLING OF THE MEC FOR AGRICULTURE IN THE LIMPOPO PROVINCE
01 Dec 2004
We wish to acknowledge with deepest shock the news that Dr. Aäron Motsoaledi has been reshuffled from Agriculture to Education. These shocking news has already brought about discomfort to farmers and the industry role players who vowed their confidence to Dr. Motsoaledi for his passion oriented and hands-on approach in ensuring a sustainable development in the agricultural sector.
Not withstanding the decision of the Honourable Premier Mr. Sello Moloto, the National Emergent Red Meat Producers Orgainization (NERPO) calls upon the honourable Premier to bring perspective and/or clarity to farmers and the nation as well on his decision. Our request is in line with “Batho Pele” (people first), and is informed by endless telephonic calls of displeasure and concern from our members, farmers and industry players who went to the extent of mandating the organization to make a heartfelt plea to the Honorable Premier to reconsider his decision.
It is our firm belief that Agriculture is a cornerstone of the socio-economic development not only in South Africa but throughout the continent and other parts of the world as well. Dr. Aäron Motsoaledi has since his introduction to the Department of Agriculture made phenomenal strides in enhancing food security, viability and sustainability of agriculture as well as socio-economic development in the Limpopo Province. He has done that with close cooperation with his counterparts from other departments (including his replacement honourable Dikeledi Magadzi) within and outside the Limpopo Province.
He has earned respect in the government effort to ensure harmonized relations between the commercial and emerging sector, all in the name of “creating an enabling environment for the small scale and emerging farmers to become commercialized farmers with adequate capacity to participate meaningfully in the entire value chain of the agricultural sector”. Dr. Motsoaledi is one MEC who has been hands-on in working not for farmers but together with farmers, and for that reason he has led programmes that were undoubtfully reflective of the challenges, needs and aspirations expressed by farmers from their different levels of operation viz. small scale, communal, emerging and commercial. These are programmes that range from stock theft, infrastructural development, animal health, animal improvement to empowerment, and many more.
We wish to express our deepest appreciation to Dr. Motsoaledi who has worked distinctly in driving a very important programme to the benefit of all our people. In wishing him luck in his new office we can only say “go yonder and continue with a people oriented approach and bring light to all our children”
The organization also wish to extend a word of welcome to the newly appointed MEC Ms Dikeledi Magadzi and pledge for an undivided support to ensure sustainability of the agricultural sector particularly in the livestock industry.
End
Enquiries:
Aggrey Mahanjana
CEO : NERPO
Tel : +27 (0) 12 361 9127
Cell : +27 (0) 82 556 7297
E-mail : aggreym@nerpo.org.za
Or
Siyabulela wakwa-Makunga
Manager: Institutional Capacity Building, Marketing and Corporate Communications
Tel : +27 (0) 12 361 9127
Fax : +27 (0) 12 261 4430
Cell : +27 (0) 82 483 7155
E-mail : siyabulelam@nerpo.org.za
Website: www.nerpo.org.za
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