KwaZulu-Natal Agriculture and Rural Development MEC, Honourable Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, has called on women in rural areas under traditional leadership areas to be allocated land to be used for agricultural purposes. KaMadlopha-Mthethwa was speaking at eMkhandlwini Community Hall, Obuka under Mthonjaneni Local Municipality on Thursday, 22 August 2024 during a Women's Celebration. The area suffers from severe service delivery shortcomings, with water, which is a key resource for agricultural production, a cause for concern.

KaMadlopha-Mthethwa took stock of the area's challenges and vowed to work together with the municipality in an effort to ease the situation on poor communities. 

"We are fortunate because traditional leaders are open and transparent when it comes to the allocation of land to the people. Women cooperatives, as well as individuals, can secure land from Amakhosi and use it for agricultural purposes. If the land is not fertile enough, they can use it for livestock farming."

Speaking to hundreds of women who had filled eMkhandwini Community Hall to the rafters, kaMadlopha-Mthethwa shared her Department's opportunities such as garden fencing, building dams and mechanisation programmes aimed at assisting subsistence farmers, "We are just a week away from September when people will begin to apply for project funding. Farmers who are approved as beneficiaries will receive specialised scientific advisory and mentorship, funding, infrastructure support, skills training and capacity building, and other forms of value chain exposure to support their growth in the industry." KaMadlopha-Mthethwa further stated that subsistence producers will receive financial support to the maximum of R300 000 while small-holder and commercial producers will receive funding capped at R2 million.