New fire tanker for Maqumbi community

Agricultural and agri-processing giant Tongaat Hulett has donated a fire tanker to assist the Maqumbi community in KwaMaphumulo.

The Maqumbi area is prone to random fires that impact on the sustainability of the community’s agricultural activities.

In 2015 Tongaat Hulett signed a lease agreement with the Maqumbi community to promote the development of sugarcane in that area.

The company was allocated 215 hectares of land for this initiative and 349 community members are beneficiaries of this project.

“As a socially responsible citizen with an unrelenting commitment to the communities in which it operates, Tongaat Hulett has always had socio-economic development as a key strategic focus,” said Nkonzo Mhlongo, Tongaat Hulett Socio-economic Development Manager.

Mhlongo said the company was approached by a local contractor and joint share cropper and members of the community, requesting assistance with resources to manage the random veld fires that threaten their livelihood.

“Under the company’s Socio-economic Development department, we have programmes to assist communities achieve local economic development and improved quality of life.

“One of the ways we do this is through our fire programme, which focuses on educating communities, particularly sugarcane farmers, about the dangers of fire and the impact fires can have on their produce and ultimately their income from the farming operation,” she concluded.

The new fire tanker will enable the community members to respond timeously to reports of fires in the area.

>>  Expect to find the latest trends in Health, Wellness and Beauty in Ballito.

>> Meet the top players in the North Coast property industry. See our Property People feature.

Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.

Please read our WhatsApp broadcast list disclaimer.
Join us on BBM at 59015786
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.