Planting, whether it is in the yard or in the fields under cooperative programmes, opens channels to fight poverty.
This was the sentiment of KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development, Nonhlanhla Khoza, when she recently rolled out a Multi-Planting Season at Malangeni, Ward 08, in Umdoni Municipality.
Khoza said it is imperative for communities to understand that by using soil, they will be able to break chains of poverty, create jobs and ensure full participation in the economy of the land.
She added that agriculture is a solution to challenges faced by society, saying that it is important that people return to their roots.
Khoza who had an opportunity to show locals how to use organic seedlings to produce a good harvest in their fields, said it was pleasing to see a group, Sizanani Community Garden, that consists of women, youth and men together focusing on programmes to better their lives and that of communities.
“We are a caring government and we committed ourselves to ensure that no one goes go bed without food, but we want the communities too, to play their role to curtail poverty, hence we open all opportunities for them,” she said, adding that as the Ugu District Development Champion, she was assigned by the government to ensure that the lives of the people in the district change for the better.
Also, Inkosi Mthandeni Shozi of Emalangeni Traditional Council said they have seen government working harder to bring about change in the lives of the people.
Shozi said they are happy as the clan that they are not forgotten when it comes to planting season.
“We are happy that the community had been given seeds to plant their food and that is the way to deal with poverty and unemployment. People should use the little land they have to better their lives through agriculture,” he said.
Umdoni Municipality mayor, Sibongile Khathi said farming, although neglected in many communities, is a viable and sustainable way to combat poverty, unemployment and inequality in communities.
“Even if we won’t win the battle against poverty and unemployment tomorrow, the efforts will continue. We are laying the foundations so that those who come after us, can continue the work until the time comes when we are successful in this journey to fight these challenges,” said Khathi.
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