In a significant move to support local agriculture and economic empowerment, the Greater Kokstad Municipality (GKM) recently handed over essential farming equipment to the Greenfingers Co-operative in Maraiskop Village in Ward 2. The handover formed part of the GKM’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Budget Roadshow for 2025/26, which drew community members and council officials together to discuss development priorities.

The equipment handed over by GKM’s Local Economic Development (LED) Department is set to benefit not just the co-operative but the broader community, assisting in ploughing and harvesting local fields and promoting self-sustenance.

The handover ceremony was led by GKM Mayor, Councillor Lwanda Madikizela, who described the initiative as a critical step towards empowering residents to become active participants in food production, food security and economic development.

“We are giving our people the tools to feed themselves, support each other, and even generate income from surplus produce,” said Mayor Madikizela. The Mayor added that this was more than just farming—it’s a movement towards fighting poverty, creating jobs, and building economic resilience.

Equipment handed over included the following agricultural implements:

• PTO Shaft with Clutch 612sff
• 4-Row Planter
• 5-Tine Ripper
• 600L Boom Sprayer
• 4 Mouldboard Plough
• 2-Row Potato Planter
• Single-Row Potato Harvester
• 3-Ton Tip Trailer
• Battery (674) for MF290 Tractor

These tools will enhance the community’s capacity to cultivate a variety of crops, ultimately strengthening food security and local food systems.

Mayor Madikizela highlighted that this handover aligns with the “One Home, One Garden” programme spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture and Land Reform. The initiative encourages households to grow their own produce, promoting self-reliance and sustainability.

“In Kokstad, we’ve gone a step further by launching a seed bank at our Eco-Park Centre,” he noted. “Even residents who may not have money for seeds can access them freely. We want every household to grow something—whether it’s for their own table or for sale,” added the Mayor.

This approach reflects a broader vision of community-led development where urban and rural agriculture are embraced as tools for transformation.

The Mayor also took time to commend the Strategic Project Fund (SPF), an initiative run by the GKM in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA). The program is designed to support informal traders and small business owners, providing financial aid and technical guidance to help them grow.

“We’re starting to see the difference,” said Mayor Madikizela. “People are opening small businesses, gaining confidence, and taking steps to improve their lives.”

The LED Manager at GKM, Mr. Mthokozisi Zulu, echoed the Mayor’s sentiments, emphasizing that the SPF is a vehicle for inclusive economic participation. According to Zulu, the program targets Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) that show potential for growth and a positive local impact.

“We focus on businesses that are already demonstrating success,” Zulu said. “Through funding, mentorship, and support services, we’re helping them scale up and compete effectively.”

Market access and product development are key pillars of the program, ensuring that beneficiaries not only survive but thrive in the local and regional economy.

At the heart of these initiatives is a deep commitment to community empowerment. From farming co-operatives to micro-enterprises, GKM’s approach is rooted in participatory development, where residents are not passive recipients but active drivers of change.

The IDP roadshow served as a platform for transparent engagement between the municipality and its people, with attendees allowed to raise concerns, suggest projects, and gain clarity on the municipality’s plans.

Agricultural support like the Maraiskop handover is not a standalone event—it’s part of a broader GKM strategy to reduce dependence on state aid and promote self-sustaining livelihoods. By investing in farming equipment, the Municipality is making a clear statement: economic freedom begins with empowering people where they are.

Mayor Madikizela made it clear that while profit and income generation are important, the social and developmental impacts of farming cannot be overlooked.

“When a community can feed itself, it restores dignity. It builds pride. And from that place, real development can take root,” he said.

Members of the Greenfingers Co-operative expressed their appreciation for the farming tools, saying they are excited to start planting on a larger scale.

“We’ve been working hard with limited resources, but now things are different,” said Danise Jansen, a member of the co-op. “These tools will really help us increase our productivity and maybe even employ more people from the community.”

Their sentiment was echoed by local residents who see the initiative as a turning point for Maraiskop.

By Kamvalethu Xhelithole