A success story for land transformation
"This is truly a success story for land transformation for the region and the country."
On Thursday, July 26, the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform officials in Limpopo visited farms owned and operated by Dinaledi Farming Enterprises (Pty) Ltd and commemorated the opening of the brand new, multi-million rand pack house.
Dinaledi Farming Enterprises (Pty) Ltd is a 50/50 joint venture between the strategic partner, New vision farming trust and the Moletele Communal Property Association (CPA).
The venture started in October 2008. The operation consists of three farming units, namely Southampton, Grovedale and Leadwood, totalling 700 ha, of which 500.5 ha are under intensive citrus cultivation under the Blyde River Irrigation Scheme.
“Our company must grow very aggressively and will export over 1 500 000 units in the next three years. Our goal is to be the largest and most successful Citrus Land Reform producer in the country. We have already reached our goal of being the largest citrus producer in Hoedspruit,” Managing Director of Dinaledi, Martin Mentis.
The executive and elders of the Moletele Communal Property Association (CPA) also attended the event which included a farm and packhouse tour and the grand opening of the multi-million packhouse recently built and modernised by the company.
The construction of the pack house began in late last year and was completed in March this year at a cost of over R38 million. The farms have employed 887 people this year including 311 people in the packing facility. Many of these workers are members and beneficiaries of the Moleteli CPA.
Between 2006 and 2013 the department approved the restoration of 7,000 hectares of prime citrus and eco-tourism land situated in the Hoedspruit area and bordering the Kruger National Park.
The Department has spent an amount of R 255 million in acquiring the land through the restitution programme on behalf of the Moletele community which consisting of 1615 households and 11 367 beneficiaries.
The prime land boasts some of the best citrus, mango and vegetable produce which is being exported to other the countries. The Moletele CPA executive committee showcased the farming successes to the department and other neighbouring CPA’s as another success story of land restitution.
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Chief Lickson Abuti Chiloane from the Moletele tribe in Buffelshoek was honoured to cut the red ribbon for the grand opening of the pack house. The company Remoon (Pty) Ltd SA, who supplied the state of the art packing equipment was also represented by Pierneef Smit.
The equipment was manufactured in China and shipped out in 19 containers in February. After the formal proceedings the attendees enjoyed a luncheon in the beautiful orchard of Tangos near to the pack house.
The business has developed 60 ha’s of these highly sort after late mandarins. The company also boasts over 220 ha’s of lemons in its varietal mix. In total the business has over 500 ha’s of citrus, arguably the largest BEE operation in the valley, with over a million cartons exported in 2017.
According to, Martin Mentis, what is most commendable, is that the expansion of 169 ha’s in citrus orchards and new varieties, the investment in this new facility and in new technology has all been achieved without the assistance of Government grants and or other institutional finance and programs.
“This is truly a success story for land transformation for the region and the country,” he concluded.
