Africa: Women’s Month was officially launched in Thaba Nchu on Thursday, 04 August 2022. Led by Premier Ntombela, who was joined by Deputy President David Mabuza and Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, the launch drew large crowds of residents of Thaba Nchu.
The Month of August is observed as women’s Month in honour of the women who, on 9 August 1956, marched against the then regime in protest against passing laws. In honouring those heroines, the Free State Provincial Government launched women’s Month in Thaba Nchu, where monetary equipment, pieces of land and monetary support amounting to R23 million was donated to women farmers.
Deputy President Mabuza said the government should ensure that women are empowered and encouraged to participate in the agricultural sector.
“Sixty-six years ago, women made their voices heard by marching against passing laws by the brutal apartheid regime. Their efforts took the country a step forward to liberation. As a government, we will make resources available and ensure that we support women. We must also encourage young people to enrol in agricultural colleges so that they fully participate in agriculture,” Deputy President Mabuza said.
Premier Ntombela said the provincial government is determined to return the Free State to what it was known for, which is excellence in agriculture.
“The Free State Provincial Government has identified agriculture as a key economic sector which, in addition to ensuring food security, can also help us to create much-needed employment in our province. Our ultimate goal remains to see our province reclaim its title of being the bread basket of the country. We have already taken the first initiative to realise this vision by handing over the Integrated Vrede Dairy Project, which sits on two thousand hectares of land, to the people of Vrede,” said Premier Ntombela.
The leadership also met young Kabelo Mohapi (22) from Ficksburg, who has nearly 100 chickens.
“Kabelo told us that he dropped out of university in the first year but never dropped his head. Kabelo bought chickens bred and sold them to feed his family. What is sad is that, because of the lack of land, the family stayed in the house with their chickens.
After learning about this, we instructed the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, under the able leadership of MEC Thembeni Nxangisa, to identify a piece of land for him where the chickens will be placed,” she said.
Premier Ntombela said Mohapi’s situation was a painful reminder of the need to speed up land redistribution so that people are able to make a living.
Kgosi Gaboilelwe Moroka of Barolong boo Seleka, MECs and councillors were part of the celebrations.
