18 April 2021
A FEW months after the application process was started, the 80 unemployed agricultural graduates have finally been chosen and placed on the various farms in the Northern Cape.
The MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Ms Mase Manopole, welcomed the 75 graduates at the Blocuso Vineyard in the ZF Mgcawu region of the Northern Cape.
She was accompanied by the Acting Head of Department, Mr Lerato wa Modise, the Kai! Garib Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Mr Marius Louw and organised farmer’s organisations.
These graduates will be placed in relevant smallholder or commercial (medium scale, large scale & mega/corporate) enterprises to undergo on-the-job training in the areas of production, agro-processing, farm management, governance, business and entrepreneurship (value chain) under the tutelage of experienced mentors.
The process started in December when the Department placed an advertisement for the recruitment of suitable candidates. The department received a total number of 412 applications in the Province.
- Frances Baard District had the highest number with a total of 194 applications received. About 29 candidates were shortlisted (21 Male candidates and 12 Female candidates).
- John Taolo Gaetsewe District had the second highest number with a total of 69 applications received. About 19 candidates were shortlisted (7 Male candidates and 12 Female candidates).
- In Pixley Ka Seme District a total of 97 applications were received- 19 candidates were shortlisted (13 Male candidates and 6 Female candidates).
- ZF Mgcawu District and Namakwa District: A total of 52 applications were received- 20 candidates were shortlisted (9 Male candidates and 11 Female candidates).
Thereafter, the short listing of candidates occurred. Of the 412 applications, 87 of them made it onto the shortlist- 80 graduates were appointed, however, 75 accepted the offer while the other five declined after receiving full time employment elsewhere.
The 75 successful graduates will be placed on one of 16 farms that has agreed to participate in hosting the newly appointed interns. They will spend the next two years on these farms, gaining valuable experience and skills.
MEC Manopole has pledged her department's undivided support to all the intake. She encouraged the 2021 Intake graduates to look beyond been employed by the sector.
"Help us to create more job opportunities. Food security plays a critical part as we can't operate and live without food", added MEC Manopole.
She further stated that, during their participation in the programme, the Department will support the graduates to develop bankable business plans with the help of economists and other relevant experts during the last six months of their participation in the programme.
This is aimed at adequately preparing them to pursue their envisaged entrepreneurial ambitions after exiting the programme.
The graduates will further be linked to government support programmes relating to their chosen enterprises and other potential funders such as the National Youth Development Agency.
This was the second take of the agricultural graduate cohorts, in 2019, In 2019, the Department recruited the first group of 80 graduates across the province and placed them in relevant smallholder and commercial farms to undergo on-the-job training in the areas of production, agro-processing, farm management, governance, business and entrepreneurship (value chain) under the guidance of experienced mentors.
In total, 23 commercial farms/enterprises participated in the placement.
The two-year contract for 65% of the appointed graduates have ended and the contract of the rest will be ending this year.
About six of the graduates are employed full-time, thanks to RaisinSA and COFCO international.
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Media enquiries contact Zandisile Luphahla, Media Liaison Officer and Spokesperson to the MEC, on 083 391 5388