MEC KONTSIWE HANDS OVER MULTI-MILLION-RAND AGRICULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE VALUED AT R3.8 MILLION IN MHLONTLO
MEC for Agriculture in the Eastern Cape, Nonceba Kontsiwe handed over multi-million-rand infrastructure to farmers in the Kumkani Mhlontlo Local Municipality, OR Tambo, in a move aimed at increasing agricultural production and promoting inclusive economic growth.
The handover formed part of the Department’s efforts to strengthen agricultural production, improve food security and create sustainable economic opportunities for rural Eastern Cape.
The programme commenced at Sigubudwini Village where the MEC handed over infrastructure to support Vivi-Am Holdings, a youth-led enterprise focusing on vegetable production. The support from DoA includes an irrigation system, storage infrastructure and fencing valued at R3.8 million.
The irrigation system covers 11 hectares of land under production, while the fencing extends over 20 hectares.
King Mhlontlo Local Municipality Councillor Mbulelo Jara and the Department of Agriculture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe opening a tap as part of the Department’s spring water programme that fights water scarcity and aligned to food production.
Picture: Sinalo Timothy/DoA
MEC Kontsiwe commended the commitment of the young farmers and the work done by the department to enable them to transform agriculture in their community.
“These young people have dedicated themselves to this work. They are young but work hard. We are encouraged by their dedication to working the land and the fact that they have an established market where they sell their produce,” the MEC said.
One of the young farmers of Vivi-AM, Sihle Guzane said the Department’s intervention has strengthened enterprise’s production capacity. “The irrigation is helping us a lot as it gives us an opportunity to plant throughout the season. Since the infrastructure is of a better standard than the one we used to have, our crops receive sufficient water to help them grow.
Guzane added that the expansion of their production capacity enabled the project to create employment opportunities through the appointment of permanent workers and seasonal workers.
In June, the project was received a tractor from the Department providing much needed relief to their operations.
Beyond supporting smallholder and commercial enterprises, the department’s intervention also extended to improving access to water for communities in Kumkani Mhlontlo.
At Nyanisweni Village, MEC Kontsiwe, accompanied by Kumkani Mhlontlo Mayor Mbulelo Jara and LED Portfolio Head Mbuti Voko officially handed over a Springwater project aimed at improving water access for households and strengthening community food production initiatives.
The Spring Water Protection programme responds to the constitutional commitment contained in Section 27 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, which recognises everyone’s right to access to sufficient water.
The intervention has provided community members with a reliable water source for consumption and irrigation.
During the installation phase of the project in May 2025, 40 community members were employed.
Furthermore, the MEC also handed over agricultural inputs including fertiliser, vegetable seedlings valued at R80 000 to 12 households which have backyard food gardens.
Eastern Cape Agriculture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe engaging with one of the four young farmers of Vivi-AM Holdings Sihle Guzane who said the irrigation system provided by the department has enabled them to produced throughout the year.
Picture: Sinalo Timothy/DoA
