Koba-Tlala to benefit Limpopo citizens

Director of Army Reserves, Gerhard Kamfer during a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) dinner in the city on Tuesday evening called on stakeholders to join hands with the force in rolling out project Koba-Tlala (fighting hunger) in Limpopo soonest.
“SANDF is part of a developmental state where unemployment and hunger are a reality. We want to alleviate poverty in the country with the implementation of Koba-Tlala,” he said.
Kamfer explained that the project entails three elements – decentralised procurement, water purification training and reskilling of reserves.
“SANDF spent R850 million procuring food across the country and we decided to start buying locally. The pilot project launched in North West last year already saw R1,1 million spent with local emerging farmers monthly. The same will be done in Limpopo to support local communities,” he said.
He further added that reserves will undergo water purification training in order to assist in rural communities while reskilling of reserves will entail training of reserves in order to identify problems in communities and liaising the information to local government and stakeholders.
The stakeholder dinner was honoured by the presence of Chief of SANDF Solly Shoke who during his address indicated that the purpose of the event is to network.
“We are here to reach out to the people and to explain who we are. No matter when or where, people should start feeling our presence.”
On Koba-Tlala he said that emerging or upcoming farmers and local small businesses will benefit. “We want to make emerging and small-scale farmers part of the value chain. We also know that some will try to take a short-cut by unlawful means, but we will not tolerate any corruption with the enrolment of the project.”
The dinner is part of a three-day stakeholder visit by SANDF. Shoke and his brigade were expected to visit base camps in Phalaborwa and Hoedspruit yesterday (Wednesday) while a display event is planned for today (Thursday) at the local base.

Story & photos: RC Myburgh
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