By Albert Pule
Pietermaritzburg - The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government is expected to convene a rural development summit in the next two months, bringing together representatives from all three spheres of government, chiefs and the Ingonyama Trust Board.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize announced in his State of the Province Address that the province will soon host a rural development summit aimed at aligning plans and resolving all the issues raised by various stakeholders.
“This summit will also discuss the need for alignment of the consultative structures and bodies that deal with matters of rural development so that they are effective. This matter will be prioritised to ensure that all initiatives are aligned for a lasting institutional arrangement…” said Premier Mkhize.
The summit is also expected to discuss the fate of 108 960 hectares of land that have been handed back to claimants but has lost all productivity for various reasons, and how this may be solved in order to improve agricultural output. – SAnews.gov.za
