There were scenes of jubilation in the area of Esikebheni, Inanda on the north of Durban, when Social Development MEC, Mrs Nonhlanhla Khoza, unveiled the department's plans to uplift the community.

Yesterday, MEC Khoza, Member of the Provincial Legislature, Mrs Zinhle Cele, Member of Parliament, Ms Filkile Masiko, Inkosi Mqoqi Ngcobo of AmaQadi Traditional Authority handed over a water pump to Sukumani Nenze Farming Project to improve their irrigation system on their agricultural crops.

MEC Khoza had visited the area in October 2020 during the International Rural Women Day where she made a commitment to upgrade the project of women in the area.

The Department of Social Development has also assisted the women to register as a Non-profit Organisation as they play a significant role to fight poverty in their community with their agricultural produce.

MEC Khoza said the outbreak of Covid-19 had crippled the Department’s plan to commemorate International Rural Women's Day on time.

"We would have delivered the pump to these women on time. These women have made us proud as government as they are able to stand up for themselves to fight poverty while creating jobs for themselves," she said.

She added that the Sukumani Nenze Farming Project has proven that rural women can do a lot, especially when given all the necessary support. She said women have a bigger role to play in fighting poverty in communities.

"It is pleasing to see that these women have provided opportunities to agriculture graduates in their feilds. These graduates now have an opportunity to do practicals, guided by the women who use indigenous knowledge to establish those successful agricultural projects," she said.

MEC Khoza further said women should never stay in abusive relationship because they depended on men.

"We stand with pride since these women have started to supply their produce to spaza shops and local supermarkets. We have hope that these women can also be advocates against gender-based violence in the area, which is now regarded as the capital of women and children abuse," she added.

MEC Khoza also handed over food vouchers to impoverished community members.

"Our government took a decision that no one should sleep on an empty stomach, hence we give these food vouchers to our people."

Mbali Ismail Secretary of Sukumani Nenze Farming Project, said they were pleased by MEC Khoza's move to respond promptly to their request.

"We pride ourselves that government interventions to the plight of the people do yield success. With the vegetable we grow locally, we supply many shops and we have created jobs for locals. We decided not to wait but stand up and actively participate in the development of the economy of our province."

ISSUED BY THE KWAZULU-NATAL DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT