A tripartite comprising iNkosi Zwelothando Mabandla, AfriForum and the family farmer network, the Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai) recently launched the joint indigenous veld goat (IVG) agricultural development project in the AmaBhele kaJamangile Kingdom close to Maclear in the Eastern Cape. The first 21 Nguni indigenous veld goats were delivered to iNkosi Zwelothando’s farm, Mncetyane as part of the launch.
What are the IVG?
The indigenous veld goat is a distinct breed indigenous to Southern Africa. It has specific features which include moving with ease, ability to walk long distances, looks like antelope with longer legs, it can either graze or browse on a wide variety of plants, shrubs and grasses, and it is also used to produce milk, meat and skins.
Transfer of knowledge and skills
The joint project is planned to exist for six years with the base herd consisting of a total of 41 Nguni indigenous veld goats that are procured over two years. The project aims to establish a profitable and sustainable IVG farming enterprise and three indigenous veld goat development projects at the end of the six-year period. The partnership will involve transfer of knowledge and skills relating to all aspects of a goat herd farming enterprise with the broader community being the main beneficiary. Gerhard Lourens, of LGL Indigenous Veld Goat Skilder Stud, provided practical training to community members and iNkosi Mabandla and his team on the day of the launch.
Self-sufficient community
Representatives of the parties involved in the project expressed excitement and hope about the future of the project. iNkosi Mabandla of the AmaBhele kaJamangile Traditional Community, said the project is the product of good co-operation and hard work which took months to accomplish. “I am also glad that AmaBhele kaJamangile community members could benefit from the training that was done [here]. This is a next step in our community’s journey towards self-sufficiency,” said the iNkosi.
Subsistence farmers
Said Dr Theo de Jager, chairperson of the board of Saai: “It is a privilege for Saai to add value to these family farmers on grassroots level with training and exposure to stud farming and its commercial value through our involvement with this agricultural development project. iNkosi Zwelothando and the other family farmers in his kingdom are experienced goat farmers. We are not busy establishing subsistence farmers, but are supporting family farmers to develop to become commercial farmers that will contribute towards wealth creation and food security and therefore economic growth and stability.”
Autonomous and self-reliant community
Princess Bhelekazi Mabandla, head of royal diplomatic services of the Jamangile kaMabandla Royal Family, said they have a vision to build their community to become autonomous and self-reliant. She said this project represents the laying of another brick for the future that they are busy building for their community. Princess Mabandla added that they are aware that such initiatives cannot succeed without thorough planning and hard work, and that they must be built step by step and with patience.
Good intercultural relations
Barend Uys, head of intercultural relations and co-operation at AfriForum said the happiness and success of the future generations of the different cultural communities in the southern Africa depends on the current generation. “It is our generation’s task to build good intercultural relations and co-operation based on mutual recognition and respect. This project serves as an example of community collaboration, that can be followed as an alternative approach, to ensure a future where the welfare of communities takes centre stage,” he said.
In addition, said Uys: “Intercultural collaboration projects that promote community self-sufficiency, of which this project is one example, is the practical building blocks of a network of cultural communities that are currently taking shape. This network will strengthen community federalism and will thereby contribute to ensure a free, safe and prosperous future for cultural communities at the southern tip of Africa.”
Tapping into local farming expertise
Recently, AfriForum and the Ingonyama Trust Land under the Zulu kingdom held an investment conference where they entered into a similar partnership to promote socio-economic development of the Zulu nation. The aim is to develop and cultivate the vast tracks of land currently lying fallow in the province.
At the heart of the collaboration between the Ingonyama Trust Land and the AfriForum is the need to train local communities in basic subsistence farming to lessen their reliance on government. AfriForum was chosen ahead of other organisations because of its vast technical farming expertise that these communities can leverage, said Professor Musa Xulu, one of the main organisers of the conference.