Land claimants tired of waiting for payout
A lack of graduation regalia did not stop young beneficiaries of Mawulu Farm from joyfully celebrating their hard-earned achievement.
RIVULETS – A lack of graduation regalia did not stop young beneficiaries of Mawulu Farm from joyfully celebrating their hard-earned achievement. This community, who believed they had been let down by the Land Claims Commission by withholding their approved settlement grants worth millions from 2008 to date, did however not sit back.
Tired of never-ending promises from the department of rural development and land affairs, they took it upon themselves to train local youths, set to benefit from the claim, in farming. Last Friday, 12 youngsters, who successfully completed the AgriSeta-MASDT Learnership, received their certificates at the farm.
One of them, Sifiso Nkosi, stated they wanted to move forward, hence they embarked on the programme so that they could learn how to keep the farm productive and profitable.
“We’ve been sent from pillar to post when all we needed was just an opportunity and necessary support, not the seven-day waiting period feedback the rural development department has been giving us since 2008,” he said.
He added the knowledge he gained during the learnership period would benefit him immensely as it ranged from writing proper business plans to increasing productivity.
He pleaded with government and the private sector, to keep track of individuals it once assisted and asked them to assist others with resources in order for them to pursue ideas that will create jobs for others.
“Give an Afican an opportunity and support him and he will do wonders,” stated Nkosi.
Gladys Mkhonto, another graduate, advised other disadvantaged youths who were not considering farming as a career, Ms Gladys Mkhonto, another to reconsider as it was profitable and relevant as it comprised food production.
Representing the department of agriculture, Ms Thembi Xaba, commended the community for the initiative that would develop the land they had inherited.
“Unfortunately, I cannot comment on the claim process because it is not handled by my office, but I’m proud of you for starting something in the meantime. This shows you are a responsible community that seeks to further benefit from your inheritance,” she said.
