Note to Editors: Please find attached soundbite by Cllr Sibusiso Tau Mbatha
The Democratic Alliance in uMzinyathi District welcomes the decision by KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Public Works & Infrastructure, Mr Martin Meyer of the Democratic Alliance, to hand over ten of the eleven identified farms to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for use in uMzinyathi District.
This important step paves the way for the Department of Agriculture to provide expert guidance on how the land will be utilised within the uMzinyathi District Municipality for agricultural purposes.
For many years, valuable agricultural land in our province has remained underutilised because of red tape and poor coordination between departments.
This announcement represents a much-needed breakthrough in ensuring that public land is put to productive use that benefits communities, supports food security, and creates local employment.
The DA commends MEC Meyer for his leadership and his department’s commitment to releasing state-owned land for development, as well as the Department of Agriculture for its role in ensuring that the land will be managed and allocated responsibly.
We urge the Department of Agriculture to prioritise credible emerging farmers and community-based agricultural initiatives in determining the future use of these farms.
It is essential that the process be transparent, fair, and focused on long-term sustainability.
This development has the potential to boost rural economies, strengthen agricultural value chains and open new opportunities for farmers across Endumeni, Nquthu, Msinga, and Umvoti.
The DA will continue to monitor progress closely to ensure that this initiative delivers tangible benefits for the people of uMzinyathi.
We remain committed to driving land reform and agricultural development through policies that are transparent, inclusive, and grounded in accountability and opportunity for all.