C I T Y N E W S | E KU RH U LEN I
Rapid land release set in motion
The City of Ekurhuleni is steaming ahead with its rapid land release programme.
D
uring September 2019, the City announced that it would be releasing 56 farms at a value of R120 million to local smallholder and subsistence farmers to improve food security, increase tax and revenue base for the City, expand food export and attract new investments into Ekurhuleni. Among the goals of the initiative are enhancing the quality of livelihoods, and increasing the number of job opportunities in the region.
PROJECT TIMEFRAMES Over 1 000 hectares of land are set to be released to numerous beneficiaries, in a programme that will generate about R200 million revenue for the City, through medium-term lease agreements, in addition to other immense economic benefits. The key milestones and timeframes in relation to the programme have unfolded as follows: • The advertisement of the tender calling for prospective beneficiaries of the 56 farms to bid was released on 13 September 2019.
• A briefing session for the candidate beneficiaries was to be held on 4 October 2019 at the Germiston City Hall. • Then, the City was set to hold the Ekurhuleni Agriculture Summit, to flesh out how it will use agriculture to boost its economy, between 7 and 8 October 2019. This event had to be postponed and as at the time of publishing, the new dates had yet to be finalised. The City’s agriculture development and support programme, of which the rapid land release programme is a part, covers five key elements that will transform and grow the agricultural and agro-processing sector in Ekurhuleni. Farmers will be assisted with access to land owned by the City of Ekurhuleni, technical support, skills development, access to funding, as well as access to markets and offtake agreements.
Over 1 000 hectares of land are set to be released to numerous beneficiaries, in a programme that will generate about R200 million revenue for the City 62
EKURHULENI 2019/20
FINALISING PARTNERSHIPS The City is in the process of finalising economic partnership agreements with private sector companies, government agencies, development financial institutions (DFIs), industry bodies, farmers’ associations, research institutions and training organisations. These various collaborations will support the City’s intent to position Ekurhuleni as the preferred investment destination for urban agriculture and agro-processing, in order to strengthen the City’s competitiveness in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), direct domestic investment (DDI) and creating jobs for the people of Gauteng. About R14 million has already been budgeted in the current financial year for the services of researchers and economists, who invaluable input will provide extensive support to the programme. Executive Mayor Cllr Mzwandile Masina announced earlier this year during his 2019 State of the City Address that the City will release the agricultural farms to stimulate economic growth, create jobs and contribute to development of emerging farmers, while transforming the sector.