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Xingwana and Mthimkhulu to launch Ilima/Letsema campaign in Mandeni
28 November 2008
The National Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs, Ms Lulu Xingwana, and the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Environmental Affairs, Mr Mtholephi Mthimkhulu will launch the Ilima/Letsema Campaign in Mandeni, this Saturday.
The purpose of the Ilima/Letsema Campaign, which Ms Xingwana is currently launching throughout the provinces, is to mobilise communities to utilise the ploughing fields in order to ensure that no land lies fallow and that all land available is used productively to ensure food security. The campaign is aimed at intensifying the ongoing fight against food insecurity and reiterate Mr Mthimkhulu's constant call to communities to revert to using agriculture as a response in the fight against hunger, unemployment, high food prices and rural development.
During the launch, agricultural starter packs for domestic and communal food production, currently being rolled out in the province, will be handed out. Mr Mthimkhulu, during the 16 Days of Activism Campaign and beyond, believes that food secure households are less likely to have incidences of domestic violence or abuse and that the starter packs will go a long way in securing food for poor families but also in ending violence or abuse against women and children.
The event will include the launch of provincial projects in line with the campaign. These include sod turning at the site where the area’s fresh produce market will be built, a symbolic planting of mealies on the land that has been earmarked and prepared by the department for farming by 15 local gardening social groups and a handout of starter packs to 50 families who have been identified as food insecure.
Details of the event are as follows:
Venue: Mgebisa Primary School (Enembe, Mandeni under Umlalazi Municipality)
Date: Saturday, 29 November 2008
Time: 10h00
For more information contact:
Priscilla Tsotso Sehoole
Tel: 012 319 7317
Fax: 012 319 7858
Cell: 083 265 8728
E-mail: cco@nda.agric.za
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
28 November 2008