By Maile Matsimela
Efforts are under way to resuscitate Zebediela Citrus Estate in Limpopo, which was declared bankrupt seven months ago. Once a major citrus fruit producer and exporter, the estate provided employment to hundreds of people before it became the subject of a land claim by a communal property association (CPA) representing the Bjatladi community in 1998. In 2003, ownership and operations were transferred to the community through the government’s land restitution programme.
The former leaders of the Bjatladi CPA have been blamed for the collapse of the farming enterprise. One of the accusers is Ike Kekana, a beneficiary of the land restitution programme. During a recent interview with a reporter for eNCA, he said that the government gave the former leaders of the CPA the freedom to act as they wished.
He said he believed the problems started when money amounting to R14 million disappeared from the farm. “That’s where it started, but the straw that could have broken the camel’s back is when they formed what they called Zebediela Fruits, because at that time, for a period of one year, they were taking loans like it’s in fashion.”
He claimed the farm took loans amounting to R197 million, and that before that they could pay back only R16 million.
“They then went into voluntary liquidation, and that was the end of the farm. There are no sanctions – people come here and do as they like, enrich themselves and that’s it.”
In 2023, this publication reported that after years of turbulent partnerships, Zebediela Fruits, the operating company of the estate, had voluntarily filed for liquidation as it was unable to settle its outstanding debt of more than R180 million.
The liquidation application was set to be heard in the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane on 1 August 2023. It was withdrawn at the last minute, however, when Zebediela Citrus Estate was declared bankrupt, with no opposition from Zebediela Fruits.
Criticism and blame
On Thursday, 6 March, during the Limpopo State of the Province Address debate in the provincial legislature in Lebowakgomo, opposition parties criticised Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba for apparently resigning herself to the collapse of Zebediela Citrus Estate.
In her response, the premier said the criticism was an opportunistic effort to reject government’s commitment to land reform, and that the Limpopo government had not given up on Zebediela.
A master plan to restore profitability
On Monday, 10 March, Nakedi Kekana, the Limpopo MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, met with the newly elected Bjatladi CPA and The Impact Catalyst (an initiative that collaborates with government and industry partners to drive sustainable economic development) to formally accept the master plan they developed to resuscitate Zebediela.
Kekana stated that the plan was currently under review by the community. Once it is adopted, a steering committee will be established that will include representatives from the office of the premier; the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism; and the national Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.
All these entities were represented at the meeting on the farm, and Kekana emphasised their eagerness to see progress as soon as possible.
She said the importance of Zebediela could not be overstated, as it played a crucial role in providing much-needed jobs in the community. The Limpopo government, she affirmed, remained committed to supporting the farm’s revival.
