News
Northern Cape Acting Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development MEC Sylvia Lucas urged women to fight for their development in their respective areas. Acting MEC Lucas was speaking at a two day Women in Rural Development Summit held on the 17-18 August in Douglas.
The aim of the summit was to give women in rural areas and farms an opportunity to state what their challenges are and how could government through its programme of rural development, improve their status. The summit also created a platform to women in rural areas to be actively involved in helping to re-build the moral values in both rural and urban areas.
MEC Lucas said transformation in the agricultural sector was also critical, as women should also own the means of production, as 80 percent of them work in rural areas. She also admitted that rural people are still being neglected by government and also called on women to practice and promote healthy lifestyle.
The summit also drafted resolutions on areas identified and will be handed over to MEC Norman Shushu. The resolutions will assist the department on how to implement the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme in the Pixley Ka Seme Rural Node.
The summit is part of celebrating and acknowledging the contribution made by women of all races and ages, when they marched together to the Union Buildings in Pretoria. These women were marching in protest against the pass laws that restricted their movements in 09 August 1956. The summit was attended by more than 120 women from the Siyacuma Municipality.
Issued by: Directorate Communication Services – Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development
Enquiries: Phemelo Manankong –External Communications Officer
Tel: 053 839 7881
Cell: 071 889 5112
Email: pmanankong@ncpg.gov.za
www.agrinc.gov.za
