KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms. Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa, has pledged her commitment to ensuring that the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development remains the heartbeat of the Province.

Hon.MEC held her first meeting with the Department's executive and senior management members today, at the Centenary Building in Cedara. During her remarks the Honourable MEC mentioned that she will work tirelessly to gain the trust of all officials and strongly emphasized the empowerment of women to reach higher management levels.
She also implored management to double their efforts and play a significant role in transforming the agricultural sector. Hon MEC Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa, further proceeded to convene a meet and greet session with Cedara and Hilton staff at the Cedara, Auditorium.

The aim of this engagement was to outline an action plan that seeks to address the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality. During her address, the Hon MEC emphasized KZNDARD's commitment to support small scale farmers and uplift youth and women within the sector.

"Agricultural graduates have the capability of bridging the gap of aging farmers in our rural communities through the implementation of new technological agricultural methods," said MEC Madlopha-Mthethwa.