Presidential Imbizo: Tsakane small-scale farmers ask Ramaphosa to release underutilised land
While Tsakane is characterised as a township, its outskirts mostly resemble a rural area, with long stretches of empty land. Most of the land belongs to the government.
Community members addressing various service delivery challenges to President Cyril Ramaphosa, National, Provincial, and Local leaders during the District Development Model Presidential Imbizo held at Tsakane Stadium in Gauteng. Picture: GCIS
JOHANNESBURG - Some small-scale farmers in Tsakane, Ekurhuleni, have asked President Cyril Ramaphosa to release underutilised government land to them.
They made the plea during Ramaphosa's Presidential Imbizo on Friday.
He was joined by several ministers, including the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development as they took residents' concerns.
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While Tsakane is characterised as a township, its outskirts mostly resemble a rural area, with long stretches of empty land. Most of the land belongs to the government.
Bernard Masondo, from the newly formed Ekurhuleni Farmers Association, said their organisation has several capable local farmers who need access to land.
"We want those areas to be taken care of so that we are able to look after ourselves. We want to feed ourselves. This thing of that we will be fed by other people is outdated, it must be outlawed. We as local people must produce our own food in order to fight food insecurity," Masondo said.
The City of Ekurhuleni has a programme of leasing council-owned land for agricultural use. However, small farmers say this favours big businesses.
Community members addressing various service delivery challenges to President Cyril Ramaphosa, National, Provincial, and Local leaders during the District Development Model Presidential Imbizo held at Tsakane Stadium in Gauteng. Picture: GCIS