Successful land claimants receive funding, wildlife

The successful implementation of land reform must take place alongside initiatives that will ensure inclusive economic growth. This was reportedly said by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the launch of Ha-Matsila Development Trust project in Vhembe district on Saturday, where he announced donations of wildlife to the project and handed over title deeds and financial compensation to successful land claimants.
Ramaphosa said it was time to clear barriers such as insufficient finance, inefficient land use, a lack of skills and experience to allow access to the sector. It was learnt that the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism had pledged to donate 1 000 animals to communities as part of the government support framework.
“We will be handing over a cheque to the value of R168 million to the Mphaphuli Traditional Authority for phase 1 of their claim. The claim covers a large part of Thohoyandou town, including the University of Venda and the Thohoyandou Botanical Garden. The garden will continue to be operated for conservation purposes by the South African National Biodiversity Institute for the benefit of the entire nation, but the economic spin-offs will accrue to the Mphaphuli Traditional Authority,” said Ramaphosa.
He further said a cheque for R77,3 million will be given to the Gomondwane community in respect of their Kruger National Park land claim. This is in addition to the claim settled in 2016. The Department of Small Business Development has, since 2016, approved eight projects to the value of R45 million for the construction of shared economic infrastructure. Completed projects include the Matsila shared economic infrastructure facility and Matsila Incubator,” Ramaphosa stated.
He added that Limpopo Wildlife Business Incubator has secured funding for the first wildlife incubation programme in the country amounting to R8 million. The Trust was recently assisted by the Department of Environmental Affairs with infrastructure funding to establish a 300 hectares game farm for breeding high value species, it was learnt. Ramaphosa concluded by saying these initiatives will be replicated around the country as part of the nodal approach to development.

Story: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za