Seventeen stakeholders have taken up the terms to drive agricultural transformation after their official inauguration at The Capital Hotel Mbombela on Friday, August 14. The chairperson of the AgriBEE Charter Council, Ndivhuho Navillee Phungo, and the director-general for B-BBEE charters compliance, Dr Madime Mokoena, attended the event.

MEC outlines core pillars

During the inauguration, the MEC for agriculture, rural development, land and environmental affairs, Khethiwe Moeketsi, said the AgriBEE framework places emphasis on ownership, management control, skills development, enterprise and supplier development, and socio-economic development.

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“These cannot remain compliance indicators on a scorecard. Behind every indicator must be a real person, a real enterprise and a measurable economic outcome. Ownership must translate into black farmers and entrepreneurs owning productive assets and enterprises. Skills development must translate into capable farmers, artisans, technicians, agricultural professionals and entrepreneurs,” said Moeketsi.

“Enterprise and supplier development must translate into businesses receiving real contracts and sustainable market opportunities. Socio-economic development must contribute to stronger rural economies and communities. That is the spirit in which this provincial AgriBEE structure must operate,” she added.

Stakeholders represent key sectors

Moeketsi explained that 20 stakeholders were nominated to serve on the structure, 17 of whom accepted their appointments for a three-year term from 2026 to 2029.

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She said they are drawn from government and public entities, farmer and commodity organisations, research, innovation and academia, transformation, and social development organisations and other strategic stakeholders.