City hands over
agricultural equipment
By Nangamso Mabindla
28 February 2006
URBAN agriculture got a boost in Mdantsane when the City's local economic development department handed over agricultural equipment to the township's farming projects on Monday, 27 February.
Representatives from the 15 projects - eight community initiatives and seven schools - in the township flocked to the Mdantsane Indoor Sports Centre to receive their share of the goods. The City handed over equipment ranging from wheelbarrows to watering cans, among other items. The projects also received manure for their produce.
The aim of the hand-over was to help reduce poverty, create employment and fight HIV and Aids through agriculture.
Speaking at the ceremony, Councillor Luntu Bobo said Buffalo City planned to play a developmental role in agriculture. "That is the reason we are here today; we want to promote agriculture in our city. It's one of the most important initiatives in our bid to fight poverty."
He encouraged the recipients to use the equipment wisely and to start looking for ways to make a profit out of the organic crops they produced. "You should think of working closely with the department of education and become suppliers of food for schools in the city.
"Our partnership with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism also aims to fast track growth in areas like Mdantsane," Bobo added.
Turning his attention to the fight against HIV and Aids, he encouraged the projects, especially those with HIV-positive members, to use agriculture as a way to lead healthy lives despite their status.
He thanked all stakeholders, including the provincial departments of agriculture and education and the community for assisting the City in its efforts to fight poverty.
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