Good morning to all the men and woman who passionately toil the lands of South Africa to feed this beautiful nation. High up on Mzansi’s agricultural agenda today is police minister Bheki Cele’s return to the Free State, to address the farming community on rural safety.
We also track a government planting season programme that is launched in the uMgungundlovu District of KwaZulu-Natal. Thereafter it’s all eyes on the latest episode of a brand-new agricultural TV show which seeks to celebrate Mzansi’s unsung heroes of agriculture.
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Police minister engages FS farming community
Police minister Bheki Cele will this morning engage with the Free State farming community on rural safety.
Cele is set to host a ministerial rural safety Imbizo in Bethlehem to give feedback on the issues raised by farmers. The event also aims to engage the broader farming community including farm workers and farm dwellers.
Cele and state security minister Ayanda Dlodlo met with farmers in the area previously on Tuesday, 13 October 2020. Farmers raised concerns around rural safety and stock theft.
The safety Imbizo will take place at 10:00 at the Bethlehem Community Hall and can be viewed on the South African Police Service YouTube Channel.
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Multi-planting season programme in Impendle
The KwaZulu-Natal finance minister, Ravi Pillay, will today launch the planting season programme in uMgungundlovu District.
Through this programme, the government aims to assist resource-poor farmers by developing under-utilised land. The programme further provides opportunities for SMME’s through the provision of mechanisation services.
The launch will take place at 11:00 in Impendle local municipality at the Stoffelton sports grounds.
As part of the launch, Pillay will also visit some of the agricultural projects receiving government assistance in Impendle.
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Royal Bakwena family member shows off her farm
In tonight’s episode of the agricultural TV show, Vir die liefde van die land (For the love of the land), the team make their way to the beautiful landscapes of the Free State to meet 62-year-old grain and livestock farmer, Mahadi Mopeli.
Mopeli, who is a member of the Royal Bakwena Basotho family residing in Qwa-Qwa, has been dedicating her golden years to working the land that feeds the country. She believes that farming touches everybody every day.
In the episode, she shares her journey to success, farming struggles and why she at one point thought that her agri dream would never materialise.
The episode featuring Mopeli airs tonight (Thursday, 15 October) at 18:00 on VIA, DStv channel 147 with further repeats on Fridays at 00:00 and 06:00 and Sundays at 20:00.
- Do you have an upcoming event that should be on Food For Mzansi’s watchlist? Drop us an email to diary@foodformzansi.co.za and we’ll do our best to include it in this weekday feature.
