KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture & Rural Development Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi hosted rural women on Thursday to celebrate International Rural Women’s Day.
Food insecurity remains one of the biggest social ills facing the country, especially in rural households, hence the MEC’s visit.
The event was held in the Emadoshini area of Bhekuzulu to recognise the critical role and contribution of rural women in improving food security and eradicating poverty in the province.
The day was filled with activities, as gospel artists took the stage to entertain the crowd. Women, as well as men, from the agricultural sector set up stalls and sold their produce – from vegetables to art and beadwork. The MEC mentioned that, “We are celebrating rural women to say that they have a contribution to make. Irrespective of where they are, we are saying they are playing their part. We do have leaders who are from rural areas and we also celebrate them. Another aim is to fight poverty, unemployment and inequality. There are issues affecting rural women that we must speak about and ensure that we pull together in the fight against all those issues.”
The MEC further stated that over 250 women will receive social relief grants from the Department of Social Development as they work together in conducting such programmes. About 60 people will receive equipment as part of the ‘One Home One Garden’ project to encourage them to continue with their work – including seeds and fertilizer to work in their gardens so as to plant their own food to feed their families and the people around them.
A pastor was also present, as Thursday is viewed as a day for prayer led by women. The pastor explained that the ‘One Home One Garden’ concept started in the Garden of Eden. “God put Adam and Eve in the garden, but it was not His responsibility to sustain the garden. He gave them the land to look after; they had to come up with a strategy on what to do in the garden, as they had the hands and the soil.”
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