Too busy to read the news? Here’s a summary of agricultural happenings from yesterday in case you missed it.
SAPPA on the hunt for an agricultural economist
The South African Pecan Nut Producers Association (SAPPA) is searching for a new agricultural economist. Some of the requirements include having a degree in agricultural economy and two to three years’ work experience. The candidate is also required to have good writing and communication skills and to be proficient in both English and Afrikaans.
ALSO READ: This week’s agri events: 27 September – 3 October
Communities’ Kruger land claims still not finalised
Five communities – including the Madonsi, Mhlanganisweni, Mahashi, Ngirivane Mathebula and Muyexe – who have been fighting for land restitution in the Kruger National Park since 1998 are still struggling to reach an agreement with authorities. They appear to be in a deadlock with South African National Parks (SANParks), which manages the park and reports to the national department of forestry, fisheries and the environment.
The Madonsi, which includes 126 land claimant families from the Ponda, Mashangu Phalala, Zuzwini, Mandwali, Maguweni, Ribyi ra Gudlani, Vumanyundu, Malahla Phanga and Shangoni districts of the Kruger park, is one of the impacted communities.
The community filed a claim for 115 000 hectares of Kruger land but only 79 702ha were considered to compute the financial compensation that the community is owed for lost land rights. The Commission on Restitution of Land Rights (CRLR) determined to compensate communities at a rate of R610 per hectare, which is significantly less than market value.
Attempts to resolve the deadlock with the help of a mediator this year have stalled and the issue is ongoing.
ALSO READ: This week’s agri events: 27 September – 3 October
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