Legislature Member of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture visited two agriculture projects in and around eMalahleni, as part of their oversight visit. This formed part of the Taking Legislature to the People (TLP) programme, which took place from 12 – 16 March 2018 in the eMalahleni Local Municipality. Moniwa Agricultural Project run by Mr Skosana was the first to be visited. The second was Pat Pet Cooperative run by Mr Mtsweni. Overall, Committee Members, led by Hon David Dube, were impressed with the level of service rendered by the Department to the two projects, and gave advice on other issues affecting the farmers, wherein the Department can improve on to better the lives of the farmers.
Meanwhile, MEC Shongwe briefly met with Committee members of the Zimisele Primary Cooperative from eMbalenhle in Secunda on 3rd May 2018, to lend an ear on their needs and for a progress report since their project was visited by members of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture during a TLP programme in Goven Mbeki Local Municipality last September. The meeting took place on the sideline of a report back session. The Zimisile Cooperative, comprised of both women, men and the youth, is housed at a local KI Twala Secondary School. They hailed the assistance they receive from the Department, but requested that they be assisted in acquiring more land because the land currently used for their produce at the school is becoming smaller, thereby failing them in meeting the demand from their market, which includes the Government Nutrition Programme. MEC Shongwe briefly engaged the Executive Mayor on the matter, and efforts to find them arable land started in earnest.