• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • Lifestyle
Zwelivelile Mandela, the chairperson of the portfolio committee on agriculture, land reform and rural development. Photo: GCIS/Flickr

Madiba’s grandson applauds farmer who beat govt.

24th March 2021
Podcast: How to access fresh produce markets in SA

Podcast: How to access fresh produce markets in SA

1st December 2023

Food For Mzansi serves as ideal launching pad for farmers

1st December 2023
Let this saucy oxtail recipe take you back down memory lane

Let this saucy oxtail recipe take you back down memory lane

1st December 2023
Arendse puts her eggs in many baskets while aiming for the skies

Arendse puts her eggs in many baskets while aiming for the skies

1st December 2023
ChickenFacts calls for new Poultry Master Plan amid trade turmoil

ChickenFacts calls for new Poultry Master Plan amid trade turmoil

1st December 2023
Food inflation fury grips Mzansi: BFAP sounds alarm

Food inflation fury grips Mzansi: BFAP sounds alarm

1st December 2023
In pictures: Safeguarding indigenous plants for the future

In pictures: Safeguarding indigenous plants for the future

30th November 2023
Food for Mzansi gives voiceless farmers a much-needed voice

Food For Mzansi gives voiceless farmers a much-needed voice

30th November 2023
The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group unveils the November 2023 Household Affordability Index, exposing surging expenses and stagnant wages affecting South African households. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Economic squeeze: Families struggle as costs soar

30th November 2023

Faces of Summer: Celebrate the rich history of Thokozani Wines

30th November 2023
Limpopo seeks revival of economy by putting farmers first

Limpopo seeks revival of economy by putting farmers first

30th November 2023
ICYMI: NW agri dept ramps up goat farming with handover

ICYMI: NW agri dept ramps up goat farming with handover

30th November 2023
Friday, December 1, 2023
15 GLOBAL MEDIA AWARDS
Login
Food For Mzansi
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought
Food For Mzansi
Home News

Madiba’s grandson applauds farmer who beat govt.

by Noluthando Ngcakani
24th March 2021
in News
Reading Time: 7 mins read
A A
Zwelivelile Mandela, the chairperson of the portfolio committee on agriculture, land reform and rural development. Photo: GCIS/Flickr

Zwelivelile Mandela, the chairperson of the portfolio committee on agriculture, land reform and rural development. Photo: Supplied/GCIS

The grandson of former president Nelson Mandela has congratulated a Western Cape farmer, Ivan Cloete, for sticking to his guns. This follows after government officials gave him just seven days to vacate a state-owned farm.

Zwelivelile Mandela, the chairperson of the portfolio committee on agriculture, land reform and rural development

Cloete refused to leave the Colenso farm in Darling and raised alarm after government assigned it to a youth-led group backed by a MK veteran.

Following an internal review, minister Thoko Didiza found that “it is clear that ever since 2012, Mr Cloete was not treated fairly.”

The report says, “From the investigation, it is clear that the Colenso farm was to be allocated to Mr Cloete, but senior officials of the department decided to allocate it to yet another person.”

ALSO READ: Land reform blunder: Farmer defeats government

‘Resilience amid political shenanigans’

Award-winning pig farmer Ivan Cloete has secured a 30-year lease to his state-owned farm. Photo: Supplied/ Food For Mzansi
Award-winning pig farmer Ivan Cloete has secured a 30-year lease to his state-owned farm. Photo: Supplied/ Food For Mzansi

“Cloete remained resilient in the face of shenanigans by allegedly corrupt officials… How many people would have just given up or simply don’t have the energy, resources or technical expertise at their disposal to sustain such a fight,” says Mandela.

He told Parliament that it was refreshing to note that Cloete would finally know peace in his almost ten-year fight with government.

“It is mindboggling how the system fails our people and officials imagine they could get away with such behaviour.”

Cloete (56) has now been given a 30-year lease for Colenso – an unexpected victory that brought him immense joy. He told Food For Mzansi, “I am looking forward to the next 30 years. This makes me whole (again). Four weeks ago, I was shattered. I was broken into pieces and now I am jumping with joy.”

Meyer heads to Public Service Commission

Western Cape minister of agriculture Dr Ivan Meyer has played an instrumental role in securing farmer Ivan Cloete’s right to farm on Colenso, a state-owned farm. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi
Western Cape minister of agriculture Dr Ivan Meyer has played an instrumental role in securing farmer Ivan Cloete’s right to farm on Colenso, a state-owned farm. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

However, the Western Cape minister of agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer, is holding firm in his call for an investigation into “irregularities and improper conduct” in the battle of wills between Cloete and the national department of agriculture, land reform and rural development.

Meyer told Food For Mzansi that he had lost faith in Didiza’s department. He now intends to submit an official letter to the Public Service Commission (PSC) to further investigate issues of misconduct by the department.

“I do not have faith in Didiza’s department to conduct any investigation of misconduct because corrupt people cannot investigate corrupt people,” Meyer says.

He describes the PSC as “the correct body that must investigate those officials implicit in the cruel treatment of Cloete.”

’System failure is mindboggling’

Didiza played open cards about issues of land governance, land administration, accountability, slow disciplinary processes and consequence management that hampered her department’s ability to deal with land administrative issues.

Farmer David Rakgase on his farm in Limpopo. Photo: Antonio Muchave/Sowetan
Farmer David Rakgase on his farm in Limpopo. Photo: Antonio Muchave/Sowetan

Addressing the portfolio committee on agriculture, land reform and rural development the minister says, “What we have are officials who may not be able to undertake this task. These issues are reflected in Zigana, Cloete and Rakgase.”

The trio of farmers, Vuyani Zigana, Ivan Cloete and David Rakgase, are all black farmers who have faced threats of eviction from state-owned farms in recent months.

“What has been clear is the arbitrary nature in which allocations have tended to be made particularly at district and provincial levels,” Didiza explains.

ALSO READ: Festive gift leaves elderly farmer at a loss for words

Release list of state-owned farms

In a media statement, Meyer adds that the Cloete case portrays the national department of agriculture, land reform and rural development as “cruel and lacking empathy” in dealing with real issues that affected lives and livelihoods.

“The national government must assure South Africans that land reform is not used to benefit politicians and their friends at the expense of hard-working and deserving land reform applicants.”

The provincial department calls on Didiza to provide a complete list of state-owned farms in the Western Cape. The list must include the names of beneficiaries allocated to these farms through government’s land reform programme.

What about Thlapi Zizi?

Furthermore, Food For Mzansi can confirm that Thlapi Zizi, the youth-led farmers’ group that was set to occupy Colenso, would be given access to another state-owned farm. They will not be subjected to another beneficiary selection process to end the cycle of “unmet expectations.”

Young farmers operating under the Thlapi Zizi banner will be given access to a new state-owned farm following Ivan Cloete's victory on Colenso farm. From the left are Roger Paulus, Bakang Monegi, Pholoso Malatji and Naomi Malatji. Photo: Food For Mzansi
Young farmers operating under the Thlapi Zizi banner will be given access to a new state-owned farm following Ivan Cloete’s victory on Colenso farm. From the left are Roger Paulus, Bakang Monegi, Pholoso Malatji and Naomi Malatji. Photo: Food For Mzansi

Thlapi Zizi have declined to comment on the latest developments. In an earlier interview with Food For Mzansi, the group said it was caught up in a political circus between the DA and government.

Chief operations officer Pholoso Malatji vehemently denied allegations of political affiliation brought forward by DA shadow minister for agriculture Annette Steyn.

The Cloete report confirms that disciplinary action will be taken against all senior management and officials who participated in allocation irregularities and mismanagement of the Colenso farm.

ALSO READ: Cloete case ‘unmasks fragility of land redistribution’

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • WhatsApp
  • Email
Tags: Annette SteynColensoDavid RakgaseDr Ivan MeyerIvan CloeteLand reformleased farmsPholoso Malatjistate-owned landThlapi ZiziThoko Didiza
Previous Post

SIYABONGA: Register now for free virtual farmers’ day

Next Post

Podcast: R1 billion agri fund relaunches

Noluthando Ngcakani

Noluthando Ngcakani

With roots in the Northern Cape, this Kimberley Diamond has had a passion for telling human interest stories since she could speak her first words. A foodie by heart, she began her journalistic career as an intern at the SABC where she discovered her love for telling agricultural, community and nature related stories. Not a stranger to a challenge Ngcakani will go above and beyond to tell your truth.

Related Posts

CPAs need good governance for private-sector land reform support

CPAs need good governance for private-sector land reform support

by Peter Setou
27th November 2023
0

Good governance within Communal Property Associations is vital since the success of land reform hinges on it, writes Peter Setou,...

Exports: Didiza calls for calm amid racial quotas uproar

Exports: Didiza calls for calm amid racial quotas uproar

by Tiisetso Manoko
14th November 2023
0

Agri leaders have come out in defence of the department’s gazetted procedure for exports with minister Thoko Didiza calling for...

2023 Western Cape Prestige Agri-Awards

Agri workers enjoy moments of glory at WC Prestige Agri Awards

by Staff Reporter
6th November 2023
0

Agri workers enjoyed their moments of glory during the department of agriculture’s Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards (WCPAA) gala ceremony...

ICYMI: Khomani San celebrates successful NC land claim

ICYMI: Khomani San celebrates successful NC land claim

by Staff Reporter
2nd November 2023
0

Land reform remains a headache for the South African government, however, for the Khomani San community in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier...

Next Post

Podcast: R1 billion agri fund relaunches

Arendse puts her eggs in many baskets while aiming for the skies
Inspiration

Arendse puts her eggs in many baskets while aiming for the skies

by Vateka Halile
1st December 2023
0

There is no stopping Anecia Arendse who has used childhood memories, tons of passion and acquired knowledge to build her...

Read more
ChickenFacts calls for new Poultry Master Plan amid trade turmoil

ChickenFacts calls for new Poultry Master Plan amid trade turmoil

1st December 2023
Food inflation fury grips Mzansi: BFAP sounds alarm

Food inflation fury grips Mzansi: BFAP sounds alarm

1st December 2023
In pictures: Safeguarding indigenous plants for the future

In pictures: Safeguarding indigenous plants for the future

30th November 2023
Food for Mzansi gives voiceless farmers a much-needed voice

Food For Mzansi gives voiceless farmers a much-needed voice

30th November 2023

Vacancy: Marketing assistant at Food For Mzansi Group

From hardier goats to flood resilience, climate adaptation is key

Need some fresh air? Here are five farm escapes worth visiting

Mzansi uncorks month-long wine heritage bash

Arendse puts her eggs in many baskets while aiming for the skies

Beckham’s organic farming and beekeeping journey unveiled

RSS From FoodForAfrika.com

  • $2 Million investment in fertiliser financing for Kenyan smallholders
  • AfDB empowers Tanzanian horticulture with $2.5m boost
  • Malagasy scientist wins $150k grant

THE NEW FACE OF SOUTH AFRICAN AGRICULTURE

With 15 global awards in the first four years of its existence, Food For Mzansi is much more than an agriculture publication. It is a movement, unashamedly saluting the unsung heroes of South African agriculture. We believe in the power of agriculture to promote nation building and social cohesion by telling stories that are often overlooked by broader society.

Podcast: How to access fresh produce markets in SA

Food For Mzansi serves as ideal launching pad for farmers

Let this saucy oxtail recipe take you back down memory lane

Arendse puts her eggs in many baskets while aiming for the skies

ChickenFacts calls for new Poultry Master Plan amid trade turmoil

Food inflation fury grips Mzansi: BFAP sounds alarm

  • Our Story
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824
News: info@foodformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought
Login

Copyright © 2021 Food for Mzansi

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.