Rural upliftment project fails
'These people just want salaries, but when they have to do the work, they aren't happy'
Generic Image (not the people referred to in the story)A R500,000 vegetable growing project aimed at providing food and jobs for one of the poorest areas in the North West has failed.
Only one of the staff members originally tasked with looking after the project was still on the premises.
A few years ago, the Tosca project was one of six vegetable tunnel enterprises that the Dr Ruth Mompati municipality spent R3 million on.
Kenny Ntshandase, municipal director of economic development, said the project and similar projects failed for several reasons.
“We provided the money for a start-up opportunity, with the aim being that the recipients would generate a profit, maintain the project and save a portion of the profits to reinvest and do the necessary repairs.
“These people just want salaries, but when they have to do the work, they aren’t happy,” he said.
After a storm destroyed the tunnels three years ago, there was no money available for repairs, as the project beneficiaries had been arguing amongst themselves about how profits would be shared.
Local resident Giel Theron, a former town council member, said part of the problem was a lack of mentorship, supervision, and expertise.
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cornelius
Thes upliftment projects must be planned a lot better - make sure to benefit only people who have the drive to make a success.Report Abuse
Pointman
Pity - they should have been provided a mentor as well which would have made this project a success.Report Abuse
warry
Hahahaha send malema there to mesmerized them on how Zuma is corrupt. I can't take a project worth morethan 5000 Rands and give to someone who have standard five. You were suppose to give them advisors on a daily basis for finances, operational.Report Abuse
tony-was-a-warrior-way-ayix
surely if you pump 3m into a project, especially in a rural area one would expect some mentorship and coaching. these people are not as business savvy. you don't just throw money at a problem.Report Abuse
Papage
There is no way you can group a bunch of old people who knows nothing about food produce and give them money to start such projects, stop waisting money. Build Agricultural schools that will produce young people with passion for Farming, and then you will see the business booming, what is wrong with this Government? Can't they use their senses.Report Abuse
AfricanFarmer
This is how I see it, One person must be able to take the risk and responsibility, as well as the profit, I know from experience that my people wont work together in a community or corporate setup. They must be employed. They are afraid one will do more work than the other. It will never work in this country.Report Abuse
RobinH
"Only one of the staff members originally tasked with looking after the project was still on the premises." The rest have all relocated to Nkandla where all the available "development" funds have been channeled.Report Abuse
Kon-Tiki
I can asure you that the same thing will not happen to Nkandla. Give the shower man with a fetish for kangas a chance. If you do not give his rural develeopment area of choice a chance who is going to sing and dance for you. You bloody anti-revolutionary agents.Report Abuse
RobinH
Kon-Tiki - If that's how you define it, then yes, and proudly so. Do we need more overweight dancers at the top?Report Abuse
LBS
@Kon-TikiI can asure you that the same thing will not happen to Nkandla. Give the shower man with a fetish for kangas a chance. If you do not give his rural develeopment area of choice a chance who is going to sing and dance for you. You bloody anti-revolutionary agents
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It's happening/happened to the whole country, what makes Nkandla different?
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