SEDIBENG. – Sedibeng District Municipality together with the national government celebrated International Nelson Mandela Day on Saturday under the theme “Promote a safe and healthy environment.” Minister of small business and development (SMME) Lindiwe Zulu, Sedibeng District Municipality Mayor Simon Mofokeng, Vaal University of Technology and Export Credit Insurance Corporation (ECIC) embarked on an agricultural programme empowering the community through Bantu Bonke Co-op to sustain food gardens and capitalise in farming.
It was on this day that Public Private Initiative benefitted Bantu Bonke Co-op, wherein Export Credit Insurance Corporation (ECIC) donated a cheque of R30 000 towards the crops of this project. Mofokeng says that the purpose of this initiative was to ensure that the residents of Bantu Bonke cultivate themselves through agriculture in future and enhance their skills development to uplift poverty in this rural community. The entourage proceeded to VUT Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park where they were presented to innovative, alternative renewable energy and land rehabilitation intervention programmes which are environmentally friendly and less costly. Minister Zulu evaluated the Bantu Bonke agricultural site and requested VUT science centre to continue supporting the site with their skills and resources for better economic growth in Sedibeng and Gauteng.
