Deputy President Mabuza visits the Northern Cape Province as part of the Land Reform Outreach Programme

Deputy President David Mabuza will on Friday, 04 October 2019, visit Aggeneys, in the Khai Ma Municipality, Namakwa District in the Northern Cape Province, to meet with representatives of organised agriculture, as part of the Land Reform and Integrated Farmer Support Programme. 
 
The visit follows the commitment made by Deputy President Mabuza in the National Assembly, that government working together with various stakeholders in the agricultural sector, should urgently find solutions in dealing with the persistent challenges of drought in the Northern Cape, Free State and the North West provinces.  
 
The Northern Cape Province in particular, is experiencing the worst drought in all of the five districts.   Almost 15 500 farms with a carrying capacity of 613 447 large stock units, covering more than 20 million hectares are severely affected.  Therefore, the situation is estimated to escalate to 1 million large stock units if above normal rainfall is not reached during summer rain season.
 
Government in the face of the overwhelming climate shocks is committed to provide integrated farmer support in minimising the direct impact of the current drought conditions and potential escalation, which will have negative effects to the economy of our country. 
 
In this regard, the visit by the Deputy President will provide a platform to evaluate rapid response mechanisms available in providing the necessary support to farmers during this difficult period of drought. 
 
Furthermore, as part his visit to the province, Deputy President Mabuza will also interact with the representatives of the Khoi San Communities to evaluate progress achieved in addressing issues such as government support for emerging farmers, land reform and provision of adequate housing for the needy, amongst others.
 
Deputy President Mabuza will be supported by the Minister of Agriculture Land Reform Rural Development, Ms Thoko Didiza, the Premier of the Northern Cape Province, Dr Zamani Saul, Members of the Executive Council and senior government officials.
 
Members of the media are requested to cover the visit as follows:  
Date: Friday, 04 October 2019
Venue: North Recreation Hall- Gamsberg Mine Aggeneys- Khai Ma Municipality, Northern Cape
Time: 08h00
 
Media Programme: 
08h00: Deputy President Mabuza arrival at the Aggeneys Sports Field
 
09h00: Deputy President Mabuza to fly-over the drought affected areas in the Namakwa District
 
09h30: Deputy President Mabuza visit to the Ms Maasdorp, Zuurwater Farmer
 
11h00: Deputy President Mabuza meets with Organised Agriculture
 
12h30: Deputy President Mabuza meets with the Representatives of the Khoi San Communities
 
For accreditation, please forward your details to Mr. Zandisile Luphahla on 083 391 5388.
 

Media enquiries:  Mr Sam Bopape on 082 318 5251

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria