AS we join our families and friends in celebration of the holidays, let us be thankful for the continued good health and well-being of our province and nation. Please allow me at the outset to thank our Almighty for His many blessings, for His love, and for His guidance as we continue to lead our government and people for the coming years.
I want to acknowledge also the support, encouragement, and advice from our churches throughout, as well as the important role that our traditional leaders play in our respective communities.
For years to come of my administration, I would ask that we not only stay the course that we have set for ourselves, but reaffirm and rededicate ourselves to strengthening the ties that bind us together as one people, one province and the nation.
Specifically, I would ask that we accelerate the momentum now in place throughout the province in implementing our agricultural development projects. Climate change and food security are now the subject of much discussion at the global arena, having far reaching impacts on our natural resources in agriculture, as well as in our daily lives. These discussions confirm the difficult challenges we face as a country and a developing nation.
But in spite of all these challenges, I have every confidence in the resilience and commitment of our people and in the unity of our nation. It is reason that I seek your continued support in our outreach visit to our outer communities in the new year with the hope to further bring the department of agriculture to our outer communities.
Therefore, as we embark into the new year, I ask that we reaffirm our pledge to remain faithful to our values and moral obligations as enshrined in our constitution. In the new year, we must continue to strive to be self-reliant. Our focus must be on strengthening our energy and food security. This can only come about with a return to some old ways, like planting our own food, and through adopting new ways such as a focus on conservation.
And finally, I want to express my personal gratitude to each and every farmer whether small or large scale for your individual efforts in the progress of the province. You are our province’s most important resource and we need you to be strong and committed to ensure the continued advancement of our people and our nation, in the agricultural sector.
From all here in the department of agriculture, we wish you a merry Christmas and may the new year bring each and every one of you peace, prosperity and happiness.
Joy Matshoge
MEC for agriculture and rural development
