Limpopo Imbizo kick-starts on a high note

The government’s theme “better life for all” has been vindicated today in Thohoyandou when Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana kick-started his first leg of an Imbizo in Limpopo.

His imbizo tour culminated with a visit to the local chief’s farm, Kennedy Tshivase before proceeding to Easy Farm which is owned by a black farmer. The farm produces among other things oranges, bananas and mangoes.

Responding to accusations that the Department only visit white farmers, Mdladlana said: “We leave no stone unturned if we can visit the chief’s farm. There is no area we can not go to.”

Mdladlana was at ease to show his appreciation following inspections that proved the farmers complied with all the labour laws.

“I am very pleased to see black farmers complying with labour laws and paying the required minimum wages to workers. This gives me hope that this country is going somewhere,” he said.

Mdladlana further urged black farmers to develop their own land instead of waiting for government to do so.

“You may ask for government assistance when you have already taken an initiative to develop your own land, ” he said.

Easy Farm produces 15 000tons of citrus per annum, 3000 tons of bananas, and 600 tons of mangoes. The farm has a staff complement of 80 people.

Minister Mdladlana proceeded to the local stadium where he interacted and listened to the concerns of the people.

In closing the Minister hailed the Department for registering more than 600 000 domestic workers with the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). But expressed dismay on bogus inspectors who were masquerading as officials of the Department, and further raised his serious concerns about the challenges still characterising the farm-workers sectoral determination..