The MEC for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa met with the Department’s highest decision-making body - Executive Council (Exco] to review progress in the first quarter of the 2026/2027 financial year. The meeting took place at the Department’s satellite office - Marine Building in Durban on Tuesday 28 July 2026.

During the meeting, Chief Directors presented on key areas including the Department’s recruitment plan, livestock vaccination efforts, food basket costs and overall budget performance.

Following the presentations, the MEC noted presentations with recommendations and issued clear marching orders to senior management led by the Acting Head of Department, Dr Fikile Qwabe. The directive is for all officials to cascade people-centred principles and prioritise serving the people with dignity while fast-tracking service delivery, former-development and addressing food insecurity.

The MEC emphasised that there can be no good harvests in the fields if there is no strong leadership in the office. She stressed that farmers deserve good and quick services.

Director

Integrated Planning, Policy Monitoring and Evaluation