By Maile Matsimela
The MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development in KwaZulu-Natal, Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, has made a passionate appeal to traditional leaders to make land more accessible for agricultural activities, with special emphasis on women and youth.
Speaking at the KwaZondi, Kwampotholo Community Hall in ward 02 of Nkandla Local Municipality, kaMadlopha-Mthethwa highlighted that approximately 2.8 million hectares of land in KwaZulu-Natal fall under the management of the Ingonyama Trust. Traditional leaders (Amakhosi) play a crucial role in land allocation, issuing leases for various purposes including agriculture, housing, schools and commercial developments.
The MEC emphasised the importance of traditional councils in approving leases that contribute to community development, particularly for agricultural initiatives. She announced a team from the Department of Agriculture would be dispatched to assess areas suitable for agricultural activities.
During her address, kaMadlopha-Mthethwa acknowledged the community’s pressing needs for resources, such as dip tanks, dipping chemicals and fencing for grazing lands. She commended the Amakhosi for their vital role in establishing partnerships with government and prioritising community upliftment.
The MEC placed particular emphasis on supporting vulnerable groups, including women, youth and persons with disabilities, by ensuring they have access to land for agricultural purposes. She referenced a Human Sciences Research Council report that highlighted persistent poverty in rural regions of KwaZulu-Natal, such as King Cetshwayo, Zululand and uMkhanyakude, despite the availability of land. KaMadlopha-Mthethwa urged traditional leaders to assist these groups in addressing food insecurity through improved land access.
Acting Inkosi Philisiwe Zondi of the Zondi Clan in Nkandla noted they have consistently provided land for agricultural activities and praised women’s active involvement in farming. Zondi also expressed appreciation for the department’s ongoing support.
Several tribal authorities were present at the event and are actively supporting these initiatives, including representatives from the Zondi, Mchunu, Sithole and Dlomo clans.
