The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, has officially welcomed Dr Fikile Qwabe as the newly appointed acting head of department (HOD), effective immediately.

The appointment was announced by the MEC at the Owen Sitole College of Agriculture (OSCA) near Empangeni. Dr Qwabe’s appointment follows the transfer of Zibusiso Dlamini, who has assumed the same role at the Department of Transport in the province.

The news of Dlamini’s transfer was disclosed last Friday at the Shukela Training Centre in Mount Edgecombe, Durban, where she bid farewell.

The department said that during her three-year tenure as the HOD, she was credited with transforming it into a well-oiled machine, ensuring resilience and fostering unity among staff, implementing food security measures and providing support to farmers and the general public. In her farewell speech, Dlamini thanked MEC kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, who she said she regards as a mentor, and as one of the most exceptional politicians she has ever worked with.

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“The Honourable KaMadlopha-Mthethwa is amongst the exceptional leaders I have had the privilege to meet. She is a developmental leader who requires genuine commitment. It is important to shield her from unnecessary chaos that could potentially create instability. Serving under her leadership has been a valuable experience. My transfer was not driven by a desire to escape, but rather a mutual agreement to continue serving the people of KwaZulu-Natal. I wish you well,” said Dlamini.

A Call to Prioritise Service Delivery

MEC kaMadlopha-Mthethwa welcomed Dr Qwabe, the newly appointed acting HOD, urging her to hit the ground running and prioritise service delivery amid the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak affecting livestock farmers. KaMadlopha-Mthethwa hailed the departing HOD’s achievements, including securing two clean audit reports from the Auditor General. kaMadlopha-Mthethwa emphasised the need for Dr Qwabe to build on this foundation and drive the department towards greater heights. The MEC urged Dr Qwabe to focus on addressing the concerns of farmers, particularly regarding the distribution of mechanisation programmes and dipping chemicals. “Our top priorities should be championing service delivery to farmers and addressing food insecurity.”

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Dr Qwabe has worked her way up in the department, starting her career as a farm aid and a scientist before being promoted to director of Crop Production. She is currently employed in the department as a chief director responsible for Agricultural Research, Technology Development and Training Institutes. She holds a PhD in Agriculture from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

A Commitment to Focus on the FMD Challenge

Dr Qwabe, who has been with the department since 1994, committed herself to heeding the MEC’s call, prioritising the FMD challenge and working towards agricultural growth, food security and rural community empowerment.

“The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has led to trade export restrictions. [We therefore need] to work together with the institutions of higher learning and produce research papers to address these challenges, as well as [provide] scientific solutions to animal diseases such as FMD. My appointment as the acting HOD is of course not about me ascending to the top echelons of power but a rallying cry for shared responsibilities for each and every one of us gathered here to work towards service delivery by supporting our farmers. [It is also about] realising the mission of the department by driving comprehensive and equitable agricultural growth, food security and the advancement of rural communities through sustained scientific and digital technology practices,” concluded Dr Qwabe.