By Nangamso Mabindla
4 August 2008

RURAL development was the objective when Buffalo City Executive Mayor Zintle Peter handed over tractors to two village co-operatives on Friday, 1 August.

The communities spoke of the need for tractors at the annual Mayoral Imbizo in 2007, leading to Friday’s hand over. The two tractors were given to villagers in Pirie Mission and Mlakalaka in King William’s Town.

Speaking at Pirie Mission, Peter said she was happy that the co-operatives would have their own tractors. “I hope this tractor not only brings good produce for you but also brings unity; we do not want to hear that you were fighting over [its] ownership.”

The tractors would boost the City’s efforts to fight poverty. “We know the needs of the communities and we want to fix all of them, but we also have budget constraints so we try our best to satisfy some of the needs identified by communities during our imbizo. This is one of the ways we satisfy them.”

Each of the tractors has a cultivator, plough and planter.

“I hope that these tractors make a big difference here in these villages and that they help the co-operatives in their quest to increase their productivity. With increases in food prices we want to encourage our people to think about fighting poverty through agriculture,” the mayor said.

To ensure sustainability of the food co-ops, beneficiaries will also be trained in business management and quality assurance.