The Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mr Mzwanele Nyhontso, along with his counterpart, the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Thembeni KaMadlopha-Mthethwa, officially handed over more than 2000 hectares of land to the community of KwaMathonsi near KwaDukuza on Monday, 19 May 2025.

The land consists of a sugarcane plantation that yields over 60,000 tonnes of sugarcane per season. The claimant community consists of 179 households, representing approximately 575 beneficiaries.

Hon. MEC Thembeni KaMadlopha-Mthethwa urged beneficiaries to preserve the land they have been granted and ensure that it is productive, creates employment opportunities, and promotes sustainability in the Agricultural Sector.

Furthermore, she reiterated that the Department will work closely with the beneficiaries to equip them with necessary skills.

“We have extension officers deployed in this area and in each ward to oversee and facilitate skills development, ensuring that the programme continues. I am pleased that over 200 people are now permanently employed, which will benefit the economy of Ilembe District," said MEC kaMadlopha-Mthethwa.