Jethro Nowata, acting head of Limpopo’s department of agriculture and rural development, says the Majeje citrus project launched last week in the Phalaborwa district is an example of what land reform can achieve.
“I think all community associations representing beneficiaries of land reform and restitution projects should come see how it’s done,” he said at the launch on 24 October.
Majeje is Limpopo’s largest citrus project yet. It will eventually cover 450 hectares, of which 260 ha has already been planted.
The project is a partnership between the Komati Group, the Majeje community and Boela Bruwer, an agricultural economist, and is financed by the Patrice Motsepe Foundation, Absa and Limpopo’s department of agriculture.
“The project represents a beacon of hope for the agricultural sector in Limpopo,” Nowata said. “It symbolises a broader vision of economic revival through strategic investments. It is proof of the power of collaboration between government and the private sector.”
The farm, which will target the export market, can become a million-carton enterprise, said Milaan Thalwitzer, chairperson of the Komati Group.
However, he warned that all partners in the project must guard against greed. “Citrus is a long-term investment and you don’t usually see profit before eight to ten years,” he said. However, he believes the project is in good hands.
“Boela has looked at the project from every angle and made sure it is viable. With the Majeje community’s land, Komati’s production knowledge, Boela’s economic insight and the strong financial backing of our financiers, we are set for success.”
For the benefit of the community
Hosi Mlungisi Ntsanwisi, traditional leader of the Majeje community, said the community has several farming projects in partnership with commercial farmers on land awarded to them in the restitution process.
“For us, the rental income we earn from these projects is worth gold. This is what we use to educate our children. We build schools with it and we send people to university,” he said.
He told of a matriculant in the community who achieved seven distinctions but had no hope for a better future because his parents couldn’t afford to let him study.
“We gave him a bursary, and today he is an accountant.
“We also have a third-year student who is pursuing a degree in music theory. This is what these agricultural projects mean to us, they make it possible for us to give our children a better future through education and training.”
The Majeje citrus project has 70 workers and will employ 400 upon completion of the project.
