On 19 September, the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development intensified its fight against food insecurity by delivering a full package of agricultural support to communities in the City of Matlosana through the provincial Accelerated Service Delivery Programme, widely known as Thuntsha Lerole.
By Maile Matsimela, Digital Editor at African Farming
According to the department, the day began with the formal handover of garden equipment to the community food garden project in Jouberton, giving local growers the tools they need to expand production and improve yields. From there, departmental Extension Officers led a live demonstration at Ithuseng Primary School on the correct methods of transplanting seedlings. Learners, teachers and residents observed practical techniques for soil preparation, spacing and watering, ensuring that the knowledge to sustain the new gardens is firmly rooted in the community.
The department says support for household food security continued with the distribution of vegetable starter packages to 30 residents from Jouberton, Alabama and nearby areas. Each recipient was left equipped with seedlings, wheelbarrows and other basic inputs required to establish or expand productive backyard gardens.
Also watch: Taung barley farmers celebrated at SAB’s 130-year agricultural milestone
Livestock Support For Military Veterans
In a further boost to small-stock farming, a military veteran in Sunnyside, Jouberton, received a goat starter herd consisting of 10 breeding does and one buck, creating a foundation for a viable enterprise that can generate both food and income.
Speaking during the handover, Thupi Mokhatla, Head of Department, said the day’s activities captured the essence of the Thuntsha Lerole programme, which is designed to speed up service delivery and mobilise citizens to take part in their own development.
“By combining training, equipment and starter packs, we are empowering communities to grow their own food, create income streams and build resilience against hunger. This is about restoring dignity and ensuring agriculture remains at the heart of economic growth in our province,” said Mokhatla.
Thuntsha Lerole is the North West Provincial Government’s flagship service-delivery drive, calling on citizens, government and partners to work side by side and “get their hands dirty” in delivering essential services swiftly and visibly.
The department confirmed that similar interventions will be rolled out in other districts in the coming weeks as part of the province-wide effort to strengthen household nutrition, support smallholder farmers and stimulate local economies.
