Pretoria – The community of eMadungeni, iXopo, will soon have access to water, thanks to the three new boreholes.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Cyril Xaba, officially launched the three boreholes to alleviate the scourge of drought in the province. The three boreholes, equipped with diesel engines, were unveiled on Tuesday at Sigubudwini, Sidwadweni and Khuluma Primary School.
The boreholes, which have been drilled and installed by the Department at a cost of R600 000, are going to support over 100 families in the area. Two of the boreholes in the communal areas are driven by diesel engines and Eskom electricity drives the one based at Khuluma Primary School.
Speaking at the launch of the borehole based at Khuluma Primary, MEC Xaba said the drought has been a major challenge and a hindrance of development and service delivery in the province.
He said government, communities and stakeholders must work together to mitigate the scourge of this natural disaster.
“I once again want to reiterate that the future of the agricultural sector rests in the hands of the youth and today I launch a borehole at a school nurturing the development of that youth. A step at a time, we are realising the growth of the sector through focused service delivery,” said MEC Xaba.
Agrarian Reform Strategy
After the launch of the boreholes, MEC Xaba met with communal and commercial farmers, business sector and other stakeholders in Harry Gwala District to unpack the department’s plans, as per the Agrarian Reform Strategy in iXopo.
The department has identified 21 farm portions of about 4 300 hectares for development in the area. Out of this land, 230 hectares have been earmarked for the development of a dairy project that will see Harry Gwala District become the hub of milk production in the province.
“The department looks to invest about R19 789 277 in the project,” said MEC Xaba. – SAnews.gov.za