Two Hundred and Ninety Four (294) Community Members Share in Farm Success

Today Anton Bredell, the Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, visited a farming project in Lutzville, which was started as a result of his department's Community Development Worker (CDW) programme.

The KEP (Kapel-Eikevlei-Pomptuin) Farming Trust was established by CDW, Paul Klaase, who originally secured the Eikevlei land through a local church. The community then bought two (2) farms (Kapel and Pomptuin through government's LRAD (Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development) grant and facilitated a partnership between residents and the existing farm workers. "After initially securing land for the people of the community, I realised I could still do more. I wanted to give people a place to live, but also create jobs", says Klaase. These two (2) fully operational grape farms, now belong to a group of two hundred and ninety-four (294) previously disadvantaged community members. They have gained a place in the European market, and are successfully exporting grapes to these countries. They were also recently awarded a Golden Accreditation from the UK, which certifies that the farms conform to European standards.

Klaase has also assisted the community to apply for governmental housing grants, which they will use to build houses for the trustees, many of whom have never had their own home. They aim to create a Green Agricultural Village, where all houses will have solar heaters, as well as other energy saving features. This project is a prime example of a best practice for all Land reform projects in this country.

Local government is most effective when people get involved in their communities. "It is crucial that people like Paul Klaase, recognise and capitalise on opportunities such as this one," said Minister Bredell. "We need community members to be active in their communities and work together with government instead of waiting for government to provide for them."