The Northern Cape Provincial government, along with the
municipalities of Dawid Kruiper and Kai! Garib, has been asked by the Deputy
Minister of Water and Sanitation Judith Tshabalala to work hand in hand to
support the growth of local vineyard farmers, especially those in Kakamas and
Upington. After her visit to the Northern Cape which took place on the 3rd of
November 2023, the deputy minister heard the challenges that local farmers
raised and advocated close collaboration between the local municipalities of
these regions and the provincial government.
INSERT [DEPUTY
MINISTER]
The department of water and sanitation says, a total of 936
hectares of water use entitlements and Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) farm
spaces have been awarded to five Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDI)
projects that grow grapes in Kakamas. The department says, following the
handover all these projects came to a complete stop, and as of now, none of the
HDI projects are producing anything. The Department of Water and Sanitation
says a tight collaboration is required to guarantee that the Historically
Disadvantaged Individuals, succeed and are beneficial to the region's economic
development.
Journalist: Tasha-Ree Kella
Email: tashakella13@gmail.com