Beneficiary hopes sinking at Hlasela flagship Diyatalawa Agri-Village Project in FS

Issued by Dr Roy Jankielsohn – DA MPL and Leader of the Official Opposition in the Free State Provincial Legislature
02 Sep 2019 in Press Statements

What was initially hailed by former Free State Premier Ace Magashule as the Free State Government’s flagship project, the Diyatalawa Agri-Village, is now a sinking ship. The 50 families who were meant to obtain sustainable sources of income from the project have had their hopes for improved livelihoods dashed.

From my site visit to the project last week it is evident that very little economic activity is taking place on what has become another very costly failed land reform project in the Free State. The following costly failures are visible at the project:

• The dairy that initially cost R15 million is standing derelict – see photo here;

• Ploughed fields meant for cultivation of grazing pastures, maize, soya beans and wheat are being eroded by wind – see photo here;

• The apple project has fallen into ruin with shade nets hanging on threads. These are the second shade nets that were erected since the first nets were destroyed during a failed attempt to burn fire breaks – see photos here and here. The project was meant to train 20 youths on fruit production;

• The R600 000 security gate is unmanned and shows signs of decay – see photo here;

• Only 19 cattle in poor condition were visible in an overgrazed camp with no water – see photos here and here. Previously both dairy and beef cattle were replaced at least three times due to irregularities with the procurement processes when cattle with brucellosis were delivered and had to be destroyed. In other instances were disposed of by beneficiaries; and

• Three beneficiaries were sent to India for training on co-operative farming, but it appears that there is a serious deficiency in farming operational and management skills and expertise.

The project was launched by former Premier Ace Magashule and former President Jacob Zuma in 2009 as the Free State’s Operation Hlasela (the provincial government’s “attack” service delivery methodology) flagship project. The communicated objective of the agri-village was to have a sustainable agri-village with 50 families taking ownership of, and deriving livelihoods from, the project. The MEC for Agriculture at the time Mr Mosebenzi Zwane indicated that: “We have taken time to learn about the project. We trust that the success of Diyatalawa will be implemented across the country.”

The DA raised concerns in the Free State Legislature as early as 2011 regarding irregularities with the procurement of cattle for the project and the lack of support. During an NCOP visit to the project in 2015 the NCOP raised various concerns including that the few beneficiaries who were working on the project were only receiving R40 per day. The inflated cost of the security entrance gate were also a concern.

More than R150 million was initially invested in the establishment of the project that was meant to contribute to land reform, and much more has been spent on attempts to sustain the project since then. The project is situated on 2079 hectares of agricultural land between Kestell and Harrismith in the dysfunctional Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality. The project was meant to include a functional dairy, an apple orchard, beef cattle breeding, and crop cultivation. The project also includes 50 houses, a crèche and a school with hostel facilities that are functioning.

I have submitted questions to the MEC for Agriculture and Rural development in the Free State, Mr William Bulwane, regarding his future plans for this project. It is clear that this project, like the Vrede Dairy Project, benefited implementing agents more than the beneficiaries.

Since we have yet to find a sustainable agricultural project in the Free State, the question remains whether any of Magashule’s Hlasela Projects in the Free State between 2009 and 2018 were established to benefit impoverished rural communities and beneficiaries, or whether they were implemented as fronts to plunder?