“Phambili ngohulumeni othanda abantu. Phambili ngohulumeni ofeza izidingo zabantu. Siyabonga kuhulumeni oshintsha izimpilo zabantu.” 

That is how the multitudes that had gathered at the Mageza Sports Field in Molweni responded when the KZN Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in conjunction with the KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), visited the community to fulfil the needs of small-holder and livestock farmers as well as to conduct a summer season disaster awareness campaign. 

DARD MEC Mr Super Zuma and GOGTA MEC Mrs Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi, also led a clean-up initiative in Molweni. 

MEC Super Zuma visited Ward 09 in Molweni two weeks ago where he met with traditional and community leaders together with farmers. 

Many critical issues which are hampering progress were brought to the fore and these included the lack of farming implements and garden tools. The community requested that MEC Super Zuma assist with fencing of a number of community and household gardens.

A request for specialized training in production for irrigation pumps and boreholes, was also brought forward. A group of farmers requested that the Department construct Diptanks in upper Molweni, uMngeni and Mahlabathini. 

MEC Zuma handed over a special breed of bulls, fencing materials, irrigation pumps and essential farming implements. 

In addition, the Department introduced a dedicated service provider tasked with constructing dip tanks.

MEC Super Zuma, highlighted the Department’s core objective of poverty alleviation and job creation saying that through the Department’s efforts, economic equality would be achieved. 

“We are resolute and unwavering in our cause; we will tirelessly work one garden at a time until our rural communities have established their own agricultural farms. 

“On Tuesday we launched our provincial Multi-Planting Season and we will be planting 20 000 hectares throughout the province. Here in Molweni, over 250 households have committed and started farming.

We want all our communities to partner with us because we have all the resources that will ensure development and guaranteed access to the market,” said MEC Super Zuma. 

eThekwini Metro Councillor Khuzwayo was appreciative of the Department’s response to the needs of the community. 

“All that we have seen being done by the Department today will surely change lives. We are still faced with a challenge of stock theft but we are dealing with it,” said Khuzwayo.

Inkosi Bhengu from the Ngcolosi Traditional Authority, encouraged the community to farm to fight poverty. 

“No one is born to be poor but it all depends on us. We have to take the first step by wanting to get our hands dirty,” said Inkosi Bhengu.