The Limpopo MEC of agriculture, Nakedi Kekana, recently met with the newly elected Bjatladi Communal Property Association (CPA) and Impact Catalyst to discuss the revival of the historic Zebediela Citrus Farm. The meeting, held at the farm’s offices, included a formal presentation of the master plan aimed at restoring the once-thriving agricultural enterprise.
Previously, the Limpopo department of agriculture and rural development had allocated R3 million to revive the collapsed Zebediela Citrus Estate, a 3 000-hectare farm that suffered from financial mismanagement and infighting within the Bjatladi Communal Property Association.
Kekana congratulated the newly elected CPA and acknowledged the significance of the farm in providing much-needed employment opportunities for the local community.
Reviving a dying citrus farm
According to Kekana, the department reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the plan to revitalise the farm, which has struggled in recent years due to structural inefficiencies.
“The once world-renowned citrus farm has been in the spotlight for reasons far from its former glory, with multiple previous interventions failing to yield sustainable results. However, with the master plan now under community consideration, a steering committee will soon be established to breathe life into the bleeding farm,” Kekana said.
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Kekana added that this highly technical committee would include representatives from the office of the premier, the department of economic development, environment and tourism, and the national department of land reform and rural development – who all attended the meeting.
“The Limpopo department of agriculture and rural development (LDARD) is eager to see progress on the farm as soon as possible. The Impact Catalyst, in collaboration with the department, invested in the master plan, with the goal of studying the hydrological impact on the farm and exploring investment opportunities. The plan details how the farm could breathe again,” Kekana said.
The CPA expressed their satisfaction in meeting with the MEC, marking a significant step towards the farm’s long-awaited revival as it has impacted the economy of the area and many jobs were lost.
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