SPEECH BY DISTRICT MAYOR CLLR NNP MKHULISI AT KING CETSHWAYO DISTRICT COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY PROGRAMME

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1 SPEECH BY DISTRICT MAYOR CLLR NNP MKHULISI AT KING CETSHWAYO DISTRICT COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY PROGRAMME 06 OCTOBER 2016 MABUYENI SPORTSFIELD, WARD 13, MPHEMBENI PROGRAMME DIRECTOR, HON DISTRICT SPEAKER CLLR KER HADEBE HON DISTRICT DEPUTY MAYOR, CLLR AH MTHEMBU CHIEF WHIP CLLR IT GCABASHE INKOSI OFFICIALS MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA DISTINGUISHED GUESTS It is significant that we are hosting this event in a month that is recognized by our government as Food Security Month. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has adopted October as Food Security Month, and dedicated it to raising awareness about food production. Food security remains one of the most compelling global challenges, not just in Africa. It refers to having access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food for an active and healthy life. Worldwide, one in 9 persons goes hungry every day. This is a harsh reality in a country that is currently battling drought on top of its poverty. As government, and as the district of King Cetshwayo, we will not allow our people to go hungry where there are opportunities to grow your own food.

2 Today we are making the dreams of many in the informal economy a reality. We have identified suitable areas where poultry can be farmed, and for this purpose we are handing over 1000 chicks. We have also identified suitable farming land, and 1000 butternuts seeds will also be handed over. We are providing you with the tools to create your own future, to grow your own produce and make a living for hungry families. We are feeding the future. Food prices are at an all-time high but we continue to import foreign goods to supply our people. The time is ripe for the South African farming sector to join hands and make our land productive enough to feed us all. The importance of agriculture in our economy and on our GDP cannot be overemphasized and it is obvious that productive farms will improve the livelihood of the people of this district. But this can only happen if the people of the district have access to the land, the harvests and the markets this must not remain the privilege of a few. We need the small farmers to become more active, more productive and more empowered. Only then will we see a change in the quality of life of our people. It cannot be denied that government needs to intervene and assist small farmers to improve their opportunities for employment creation, income generation and productivity. Farming gives people access to economic opportunities that would normally be out of their reach due to poverty and a lack of education. Farming is a primary method of redressing the economic challenges of our society. As government it is our role to create an enabling environment for the

3 growth of the farming sector, and to support you with training, opportunities and incentives. funding Recognising the Informal economy The King Cetshwayo District is today recognizing the role of the Informal Economy Sector in growing the economy of the District. Today we will launch the Mobile Entrepreneurs project as a modern trade concept as to better organize the work of informal traders. The informal sector is fast-growing, hard working and critical to the growth of the district s economy. We are giving away 5 mobile kitchens, fridges and mobile toilets to identified entrepreneurs in the five local municipalities of the district. With these tools we are confident that they will be able to create thriving businesses in their localities. One step at a time, we are transforming the agricultural and local economic development sector, and ultimately hope to reduce the hungry in this district. ANC Vision The ruling party defines its vision for South Africa as that of a National Democratic Society, a society in which the values of human freedom, socioeconomic rights and progress prevails. Due to the colonialist past, our rural areas are dependent on the land for their livelihood. But food security also impacts on urban areas. This is because most of us are not producers of food, we are buyers of food. Access to food depends on a cash income, which not all can afford.

4 We have therefore decided with this programme to inculcate a culture of planting food gardens. We need to encourage people to grow their own food and create food gardens in our communities. SMME s and Cooperatives The King Cetshwayo District Municipality also supports SMME s and Cooperatives and takes their concerns very seriously. We provide a coordination role in supporting the Small Micro-Medium Enterprises (SMMEs), at various levels. In achieving this goal, partnerships have also been established with various stakeholders who are also providing various services to the SMMEs. In ensuring the continuity of our support services rendered to SMMEs, a database has also been established and is updated on quarterly basis. The total number of SMMEs recorded in the database of our LED Section is close to 800. The district municipality has also designed a monitoring template, which was sent to all local municipalities, including the District SCM units, to obtain and update information on the number of SMMEs supported through tenders awarded. The information will also assist the municipality to monitor the number of jobs created by the SMMEs. uthungulu also established a partnership with Ithala Bank in the past financial year, to roll out the Siyasebenza Entrepreneur Development Programme. The main aim of the programme was to empower and capacitate the SMMEs and Cooperatives with relevant information and skills that will grow their business operations.

5 When we talk about Cooperatives in particular, there is a range of services rendered by King Cetshwayo to Cooperatives, as part of implementing the District SMME Strategy. These include: - Business advisory services - Facilitation of capacity building, skills development and empowerment services e.g through partnership with our stakeholders - Linkages and referrals to potential funders, partners sand stakeholders - Coordination and provision of market opportunities. For example, Crafters and Cooperatives of various sectors participate in our District Economic Development Symposium; Agri Co-ops currently supply the uthungulu Fresh Produce Market and many other events. - We also assist with linkages with financial institutions such as banks, development institutions and government agencies. - And we facilitate the registration process for Co-ops through the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs. Our new entity, the District Fresh Produce Market, is an economic development initiative that will cumulatively address the triple threats of poverty, food security and unemployment in our district. Farmers who were trained are already supplying the market, which has become a sound vehicle for economic development and agricultural growth in our rural areas. We have entered into an agreement with the Department of Education to supply its Nutrition programme at schools and the market is poised for great success. Drought It is a harsh reality that the district is battling a severe drought. The recent rains are welcome, but we need much more to sustain the rise in the levels of our dams.

6 We urge you all to collect rain water while you can and to use it sparingly. Use bath water to water the gardens, and collect rain water to flush the toilets. Today we are also giving away water wheelbarrows to some garden farmers and we hope you will use it with pride, knowing that this is a district that cares about its people and about its wellbeing. Through Food Security, Job Creation and Economic Growth, We move South Africa Forward. Thank you