The economy of Bumbane received a significant boost last week, thanks to a generous donation from the Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR).
Nonceba Kontsiwe, the MEC for the department, handed over a fully equipped tractor to an elated Queen Nokwanda Dalindyebo at the Bumbane Great Place, outside Mthatha.
This donation is expected to revitalise the area’s agricultural sector and create much-needed job opportunities.
Equipped with a mouldboard plough, disc plough, potato planter, and potato harvester, the tractor is set to revolutionise farming practices in the region.
In her 2024/2025 policy speech, Kontsiwe highlighted the department’s commitment to supporting land cultivation and encouraging food production.
The department aims to establish rural food hubs where subsistence and home-based vegetable producers can collect, store, and process their produce for local markets and government nutrition programmes.
Kontsiwe acknowledged the challenge of food insecurity in the province and highlighted the department’s strategy of collaborating with traditional leaders to effectively reach communities.
By entrusting this valuable resource to King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, the department aims to ensure not only subsistence farming but also to stimulate commercial agriculture.
“We observed that we have a challenge of food insecurity in the province. In addressing that, we have resolved to work with traditional leaders to make our work of reaching communities easier. We have entrusted this resource to the King because he knows what his people need.
“Our aim is to not only ensure that they cultivate their land for subsistence farming but that they also produce food for commercial markets,” said Kontsiwe.
She added that Bumbane has been identified as a key location for establishing a Potato Hub in the O.R Tambo District.
A group of 20 farmers, including Buyelekhaya, who owns 20 hectares of agricultural land, will form a commercial potato enterprise to supply the Kei Fresh Produce Market in Mthatha.
Queen Nokwanda expressed her gratitude for the donation.
She emphasised that the tractor would breathe new life into the Bumbane community, reviving agricultural activities that had declined since the King’s incarceration in 2016.
She also highlighted King Zwelibanzi’s belief in the power of agriculture and his commitment to utilising the machinery to revitalise the sector.
She shared a poignant story of an elderly woman who used to work at the Great Place and is now struggling to survive on a social grant.
Queen Nokwanda further expressed hope that the community’s fortunes would change with continued support from the government sector.
