There were big dreams for the nursery that employed over 300 people, but now seems to have been neglected beyond repair.
“I took a farmer to see what the place looks like and he said it wouldn’t be worth it to fix it now. It would cost the municipality too much,” Michael Holenstein, DA ward councillor said.
He said what used to be an azalea farm and nursery were bought by the Gauteng provincial government on behalf of Mogale City Local Municipality years ago. The municipality planned to develop the farm into the Carmel Estate Agricultural Commonage.
According to the final scoping report for the development compiled in 2013 on behalf of Mogale City Local Municipality, the proposed agricultural development would include an “agricultural field for the use of crop production and grazing, tunnels for either flowers or vegetables, staff accommodation and an agricultural college and its student accommodation”.
Holenstein said the proposed project would have been extremely beneficial to the community, but it is unfortunate that the plan has not yet realised.
According to Mable Chisale who used to be employed at the farm, over 300 people used to work there, including her father.
“They promised us that we would get our jobs back,” she said.
Mable said she lost her job in 2007 “when the farm was sold” and until today, almost 10 years later, she still waits to get her job back.
According to the report, the public was advised to comment on the development no later than 20 May 2013.
“But nothing is happening and there is no sign of the R17 million investment,” Holenstein added.
It is not clear when the farm was sold to the local government and if the project would go ahead.
The News contacted Mogale City Local Municipality‘s spokesperson Nkosana Zali for comment, but none has been received by the time the article was published.
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