Spearheaded by Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane and Mandla Msibi, the MEC for agriculture in Mpumalanga, this initiative not only sets out to benefit more than 346 women, but also to create much-needed employment opportunities and to contribute immensely towards food conservation in the country.

Both Mtshweni-Tsipane and Msibi, joined by the deputy minister of water and sanitation, David Mahlobo, MECs Thandi Shongwe and Busi Shiba, and Inkhosi Sandile Ngomane, officially launched the Mpumalanga Agriculture Food Basket Initiative in eManzana, formerly Badplaas, on Saturday (August 27).

“Following the devastation caused by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has crippled our economy, we have looked at the number of ways to help stimulate our economic status as we try to make redress.

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We looked at our strengths and weaknesses, and we realised when looking at the mining sector, there is little that we can do to help resuscitate this industry. It will literally take a long time to resuscitate it. We then turned our focus on agriculture and we realised we had land available. We believe that if we can work the land and turn the province green with fruit, grain and vegetables, we can make money,” said Mtshweni-Tsipane.

“This initiative is aimed at benefiting the communities of Mpumalanga, especially those in the rural areas. It will be rolled out in all the districts of the province. We need to turn Mpumalanga green and make it contribute greatly towards food conservation in the country,” she continued. She stressed there is market for the variety of food products that will be produced from this initiative.

“There is market ready. As we speak, government is running the school nutrition programme, which is jointly run by the departments of health and education.

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“We have engaged with these departments and looked at what they are feeding the children at schools and our patients in hospitals. And so, we will plant according to the needs that have been identified by the various departments. We need to make sure that we sustain this project so that we don’t run short of the food that is needed to feed the children,” stressed Mtshweni-Tsipane. Msibi also believes this initiative is a game changer and will bring about great economic spin-offs, especially for the beneficiaries.

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“The Food Basket Initiative is part of a broader plan of turning Mpumalanga green, but we must be smart about how we do this. We must not just beautify the province by turning it green with grass and trees, but we need to wage war against poverty and joblessness. And we believe this is the start towards realising this goal. We will guard this project with jealousy as we are convinced that it is a game changer. Agriculture remains our last hope to turn our fortunes around and continue to create jobs for our people, especially the youth,” said Msibi.