By Nangamso Mabindla
22 July, 2005

A FRESH salvo was fired in the war against poverty in the rural village of Zinyoka, outside King William's Town. Agriculture equipment was donated to the village through a joint effort by Buffalo City and the provincial government.

Zinyoka residents filled their community hall to accept a tractor, which will help them produce more vegetables on their farming co-operative. The co-operative focuses on sheep and chicken farming and vegetable growing.

Resident Nosakhele Mqombothi said that with the new agricultural equipment, the business would be able to increase its production.

"We have discovered that sitting and waiting for things to happen is not good for any community. We decided to follow the government's appeal of Vuk'uzenzele (do it for yourselves)."

She said the community was grateful the government was helping their efforts to kick poverty out their community.

"We have been struggling to make this project a reality, but now with the tractor we will be able to make some kind of money from our business. We also want to boost our poultry and we are happy that the government has also given us a chicken run."

With more sheep on the way - their 200 ewes are ready to give birth - the co-operative's wool production is also expected to increase.

Buffalo City Mayor Sindisile Maclean presents a tractor to the community of Zinyoka

However, the communities of Zinyoka, Bhalasi and Thembeni will need more training on handling their new equipment.

Cherryl Boqwana from the provincial department of agriculture said the community would need to be trained in soil preparation, ploughing and harvesting, and sheep and poultry production.

"You need to use this opportunity and produce more vegetables and export them to other areas in the country and other parts of the world," she said.

The East London port was the only port in the country that imported and exported maize.

"There are a lot of opportunities for agriculture to prosper in the province. We have a beautiful climate here and agriculture can be one of the major contributors to our economy if we are serious about alleviating poverty," Boqwana said.

The department would assist the community in their co-operative, she added.

Buffalo City Mayor Sindisile Maclean said he was happy that the City was focusing on economic development.

"It is very important that we include it in our programmes so that we are in a better position to empower our people. I must say I am happy to see that this community is doing it for themselves."

The City will hand over agricultural equipment in the villages of Nkosiyane, Mngqesha and Qongqotha in King William's Town at the weekend.