Cape Town – Government has reiterated its commitment to improve the quality of life for rural people across the country.
As part of its “zero-hunger programme”, more than one million beneficiaries are accessing food through current food distribution initiatives.
Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini said this during a briefing by the Social Protection and Community Development Cluster following the recent Cabinet Lekgotla.
“As part of the War on Poverty campaign, we have conducted 26 935 households and 594 community profiles. These profiles are necessary to ensure proper and targeted interventions in areas where there is a need for services,” she said.
Dlamini said that currently, 7 956 young people from rural areas were participating in the National Rural Youth Service Corp (NARYSEC).
“Training programmes include disaster management, construction and information management. This will contribute to skills development as well as service improvement in rural areas.”
The minister said that the recapitalization and development programme meant to make land reform projects more productive has been implemented in 171 farms across the country, creating at least 1 31 permanent jobs and 2 724 short-term employment.
“Within a short period of time, this programme has greatly improved the productivity of land reform projects. The success of this programme will go a long way in providing food security for all.”
She said the Cabinet Lekgotla had committed to an integrated project plan due next month to “accelerate the provision of basic services in rural areas as well as addressing service delivery backlogs in 21 identified rural districts.”
By Francis Hweshe, BuaNews