Following the reconfiguration of the Free State provincial cabinet, premier Mxolisi Dukwana has announced Teboho Zacharia “Saki” Mokoena as the newly appointed agriculture and rural development MEC.
Mokoena replaces Thembeni Nganxisa, who held the position from October 2021.
The new MEC is faced with a mammoth task following months of complaints from farmers and organised agriculture in the province regarding dilapidated infrastructure, mainly roads, lack of government support, farm attacks, and corruption.
It is imperative that the new MEC gets the house in order, farmers tell Food For Mzansi.
Farmers’ expectations
Maize farmer and member of the South African Grain Farmers’ Association, Phaladi Matsole, said the new MEC needed to hit the ground running.
“I expect the incoming MEC to work closely with organised agriculture, put more emphasis on agro-processing, and the entire value chain of agriculture because that is where jobs are created and the economy is stabilised.
“It will work to the province’s advantage if the raw products that we produce are also processed in the province. That will surely stimulate the economy of the Free State, and we can export to other provinces. On our own, we can feed the entire nation,” he said.
Matsole called on Mokoena to strengthen monitoring and evaluation on government-funded projects, which is key to ensuring that taxpayers’ money does not go to waste. “We wish the MEC well. Our doors are open, and we would like to work with him to ensure we position the Free State as the food basket of the country,” he added.
Petrus Sitho from the organisation PPS Stop Farm Murders called on the new MEC to focus on farmer safety in the province.
Mokoena is currently the ANC’s head of elections in the Free State. According to his party, he holds a higher certificate in economics and is currently a final-year BCom economics student.
‘Let’s revive agriculture’
Meanwhile, Mokoena, has made his first public appearance at the Glen Agricultural College’s graduation ceremony yesterday. In his address, he emphasised the significance of agriculture in contributing to the economy, stating that the sector contributes 5% to the Free State’s economy, which is higher than the national average of 3%.
“We, therefore, need to revive the sector back to being the breadbasket of the country,” said Mokoena.
In a media release, the department said he brings with him a wealth of experience in politics and governance, having served as a former secretary and youth league chairperson in the Free State, as well as an ANC interim PEC member. The department has expressed confidence in his ability to turn around the agricultural sector and ensure its sustainability and growth.
Dr Takisi Masiteng, the head of the department, along with the executive and senior management of the department, have pledged their support to Mokoena in achieving his goal of ensuring a vibrant agricultural sector.
