Mpumalanga premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane handed over three projects in Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality (CALM) on Thursday April 11.
According to Motsweni-Tsipane, one is the projects was a fencing of Songimvelo Nature Reserve where wild animals such as elephants had damaged the fence and were going into communities.
“The fence is 90km long. This is part of the Provincial Government’s fencing drive around the province’s nature reserves including Kruger National Park. We have Erected 18 million litres 18000cubic meters dam with full irrigation system sufficient to irrigate the 100 hectors of stone fruits peaches and nectarines,” she said.
Motsweni-Tsipane, also said that they supported the farm with the development of 32 hectors totalling 56000 trees of stone fruit. This farm has secured markets with Woolworths nationally, spar locally, food lovers nationally, and has an export licence issued China, India and Germany.
“All these countries have asked for samples of the produce with the intent to place international orders from which the farm will earn in dollars and increase the Province GGP and country’s GDP,” she said.
CALM. Mayor Daniel Nkosi has welcomed the gesture from the provincial government because it will boost the economy of the municipality and create more jobs for locals. He also thanked the premier for handing over the much needed projects to the municipality.
“I would like to encourage the beneficiaries to take care of the farm and make sure that they grow from where they are now to greater heights. The fencing of the Songimvelo Nature Reserve is also welcomed because now wild animals will not go to the nearest villages and eat their plants,” he said.
