Report
of the Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs on the Presidential
Launch of the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme: Muyexe,
Giyani District Municipality in Limpopo Province
dated 25 August 2009
Introduction
and background
The Select Committee: Land and Environmental Affairs, was invited by the
Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, to attend the official launch
of the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme, on the 17 August 2009. The
programme was launched at the pilot site in Muyexe in
the Greater Giyani District Municipality in the
The Muyexe village was selected for the pilot project
due to the high levels of poverty, unemployment and under development. The
Greater Giyani District is classified as a rural
municipality with the main challenge being access to water. The area is
characterised by a dry and hot climate. Basic services like access to safe
drinking water, sanitation, health services and transportation are unavailable.
Since the selection of the site for piloting the Comprehensive Rural
Development Strategy, there has been an increase in economic activity and
interest from developmental agencies. The Independent Development Trust (IDT)
has been closely involved in several projects within the Muyexe
village, by initiating construction projects thereby empowering the marginalised community.
During the launch of the programme several projects were show-cased, these
included:
·
The Nene
family house
·
Primary and Secondary
School renovation project
·
·
Community Center
·
Macena Community Farm
Site
visits to the different projects
The original Nene home was a
traditional hut and after an exceptionally harsh storm in January 2008 the
house was destroyed leaving the family vulnerable. A further tragedy was the
death of the father in February of the same year. The 11 occupants were
destitute and appealed to the government officials for assistance. The
Department of Rural Development and Land Reform together with the IDT then
committed to building a six-bedroomed house for the
family. The house is a brick-house with an adjoining vegetable garden and
proposed orchard to ensure that the household has access to food and becomes
sustainable. The current challenge is having access to water to start the food
garden as water availability is limited to the rainy season and the high levels
of nitrates in the water decreases its quality. Currently the area is
experiencing a drought and this has further contributed to the poverty in the
community.
The two schools in the area have been renovated and toilets have been built as
part of the programme. There are no flush toilets but running water is now
available. Previously the schools had no sanitation facilities and now there is
limited access to taps and ventilated pit latrines.
The old visitors centre has now been upgraded to replace the mobile hospital
that visited the village once a month. The proposed plans for the hospital
include a staff quarters so that the clinic/hospital can be accessible 24 hours
a day by the community. The Department of Heath has now dedicated one permanent
nursing sister to service the clinic. Currently the newly renovated building
has several consulting rooms and the clinic is relatively well stocked for
consultations. No antiretrovirals are currently
available at the clinic/hospital.
The Muyexe Community Centre is currently being built
and the project is contributing to the employment of the village. Both men and
women are employed and each household is represented by one member, so that the
benefits of employment can be equitable. The proposed computer facilities for
the village will also be located in the building. The service will include a
virtual learning portal for school learners and teachers. Other government
service centres will also be housed in this building.
The Macena Community farm comprises of a group of 36
women farmers assisted by the Organic Farms group and the Department of Rural
Development and Land Reform to produce organic vegetables for the local Spar
supermarket in Giyani. The farmers receive very
limited support from the Department of Agriculture and recently lost their
tomato crop to red spider mite infestation. The farm is 15 ha but only 4 ha are
being used productively. The plans to expand the infrastructure to include a
pack-house, storage facility and shade-cloth nursery are underway. The
challenge for the group is proper expertise and advice on extension services
and production.
Recommendations
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform is required to report
to the Committee on a quarterly basis on the progress of each of the
implementation plans of the two pilot projects, especially regarding the
co-ordination of activities with other Departments and local structures (i.e.
regional offices, provincial departments and local authorities).
·
The Department of Rural
Development and Land Reform is required to provide the committee with quarterly
progress reports on the Comprehensive Rural Development Strategy and
implementation plan with milestones achieved over for the financial year and
MTEF period.
·
The Department of Rural
Development and Land Reform to report within two months of adoption of the
report by the house on the extent that alternative energy sources and
specifically green design options for solar energy that have been implemented
in the design of the houses for the rural development projects.
·
The Department of Water and
Environmental Affairs is required to report within two months of adoption of
the report by the house on the status of access to free basic water within the
Greater Giyani District Municipality, with specific
reference to the dam and the bulk infrastructure within the area.
·
The municipality is
required to report within two months of adoption of the report by the house on
the progress made in providing water and sanitation services to the
constituency of Muyexe.
·
The Department of Rural
Development and Land Reform to report within two months of adoption of the
report by the house on the public participation process followed during the
implementation of the pilot project within the Muyexe
village.
Report to be considered.