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10 April 2007

As part of the National Imbizo Focus Week Mpumalanga Agriculture and Land Administration MEC Dina Pule will meet communities and interact with municipal councillors in various municipalities especially Dr JS Moroka and Msukaligwa Municipality.

The Imbizo week seeks to build partnerships for the implementation of the Programme of Action (PoA) and further strengthen existing partnerships in the fight for development and to ensure safety for all communities.

MEC Pule will use the Izimbizo to gauge the level of implementation of departmental programmes and assess their impact in poverty alleviation. She will also encourage communities to better manage the environment by disposing waste in responsible manner.

Dr JS Moroka is one of the municipality's that are envisaged to implement the Agro Local Economic Development (LED) framework. The framework places agriculture at the centre of local economic development. Peasant farmers are encouraged to utilise the Masibuyel' emasimini Programme, and other departmental support services.

MEC Pule believes that agriculture and rural development should place women at the centre as they are the most affected by poverty. Structures such as the Women in Agriculture and Rural Development have been established in the various municipal wards and are to be supported vigorously to ensure that they are able to contribute to women empowerment and poverty alleviation.

The first Imbizo will be held at the Kameelrivier Community Hall in Kameelrivier on 14 April 2007, with the following one to be held at the Daggakraal Community Hall.

The media is invited to both Izimbizo.

Enquiries:
Putsoa Makua
Tel: (013) 766 6005
Cell: 083 555 6152

Issued by: Department of Agriculture and Land Administration, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
10 April 2007