President Jacob Zuma on Saturday launched rural infrastructure projects which are expected to change the lives of many residents and further catalyse development, job creation and investment in uMsinga, in KwaZulu-Natal.

The R70 million worth of rural infrastructure projects form part of government’s Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP) which aims to tackle issues such as underdevelopment, food security, unemployment, poverty, lack of basic services and other social ills which have become synonymous with rural areas.

The President, accompanied by Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti and KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu, visited the Tugela Ferry Irrigation Scheme, an initiative which aims to assist smallholder farmers and create job opportunities for the community.

He also held a sod turning ceremony for the 170-meter Mashunka and Ngubo Bridge and handed over an animal sale yard to the uMsinga Livestock Association.

President Zuma said rural development was one of the five key priorities of the fifth administration of the democratic South Africa.

“This means that greater focus and emphasis is being placed on the development of rural communities with the aim of improving the quality of life of our people, increasing access to basic services and creating jobs and job opportunities.

“Rural economy transformation requires us to bring resources to rural areas, such as water, electricity, improved infrastructure and economic opportunities in order to enable rural communities to take charge of their own economic development,” he said.

The President said over R2 billion has been invested in the past five years towards improving human basic needs, developing rural enterprises and providing socio-economic infrastructure.

The Tugela Ferry Irrigation Scheme

The refurbishment of the Tugela Ferry Irrigation Scheme is one of five prioritised schemes comprising of 726 hectares of irrigated land along the Tugela River at Tugela Ferry in the Msinga Local Municipality located in the Umzinyathi District.

The scheme has been divided into plots that have been allocated for vegetable production, to improve food security, but also for the sale of surplus produce.

The President said more than 1000 smallholder farmers have benefitted through the scheme and 2000 seasonal farm worker jobs will be created when the scheme is operating optimally. A total of 290 jobs were created during its construction.

Phase one of the project was completed last year and it included the refurbishment of the infrastructure, repairs to the weirs intake, repairs to the concrete canal, lining of the existing earth dams, upgrading of the infield irrigation system, upgrading of three pump stations and the construction of a new pump station.

“Good progress has been made toward the conclusion of the second phase, which includes the upgrading of two additional pump stations,” said the President, adding that the R39 million project is due to be completed early next year.

Government is further planning to build a bridge over the Tugela River to link the communities of Mashunka and Ngubo. President Zuma said preliminary designs for the bridge have been completed.

The project is expected to cost R55 million, including R30 million for the construction of the bridge to be funded by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform while the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport will fund the access road and design costs estimated at R25 million.

“It will bring much needed relief and social benefit to the community of Mashunka. In addition to this, the new bridge will provide those engaged in farming activities easier access to markets by ensuring more efficient transportation to take their produce to markets.”

The construction of a road will also generate 200 jobs.

The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform together with the local livestock association spearheaded the construction of a permanent animal sale yard. The construction of the R1.9 million facility was handed over to the Msinga Livestock Association.

President Zuma said people in rural areas deserve a better quality of life.

“Through the implementation of the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme, we are beginning to see a transformation of the rural landscape of our country and an improvement in the livelihoods of rural communities.”