Gauteng's agricultural school gets a R10m boost from the province
The Gauteng department of agriculture, rural development and environment has announced a R10m investment in Magalies School of Specialisation over the next three years to support and grow its agricultural focus.
MEC Vuyiswa Ramakgopa shared the news during a visit to the school, saying the department and its partners are committed to helping Magalies 'establish and maintain their farm operation'.
She described the school as 'Gauteng's only agricultural school of specialisation', and called it 'a model and symbol of what it looks like when public purpose meets strategic investment and visionary leadership'.
She emphasised the importance of preparing learners for the full scope of the agricultural sector: 'Agriculture is no longer only about planting and harvesting. It is science. It is technology. It is economics. It is innovation. And it is the beating heart of a sustainable future.'
The MEC stressed the need to change how young people see agriculture, urging learners to see themselves not as workers but as leaders.
'You are the agricultural leaders of tomorrow. Every decision we make, every partnership we form, every investment we channel into the school must affirm that belief.'
Key partners have come on board, including the school itself through a 2.5% contribution from seed sales made via the school's demonstration plots and technical support through Seedlink.
The department donated garden tools and fruit trees to support practical education.
Another partner, Ranyaka, continues its work through the 'Proud of My Town' initiative, helping to shape the school's developmental plan.
As part of youth month, the top 10 learners will visit the Corteva seed factory to gain insight into the global agricultural landscape.
'An experience that will open their eyes to the global agricultural landscape and inspire them to continue working towards the future of agriculture,' said Ramokgopa.
The MEC reminded the learners: 'You are not only learning for today. You are learning for tomorrow. You are the architects of the future of agriculture. The world needs you, and we are here to ensure you are equipped to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
10 hours ago
- IOL News
'VBS was our lifeline': Ramokgopa pressures treasury to restore Limpopo's lost bank
ANC treasurer-general Gwen Ramokgopa pleads with government to help rebuild VBS. Image: File photo ANC treasurer-general Dr Gwen Ramokgopa issued a stirring plea to the South African Reserve Bank and National Treasury: step in and help to rebuild the looted and collapsed Venda Business Society (VBS) Mutual Bank. Ramokgopa was speaking on Thursday at a packed memorial service for ANC veteran and revered liberation figure, Reverend Dr Tshenuwani Simon Farisani, held at the George Phagadi Town Hall in Thohoyandou. The late struggle stalwart and former Lutheran bishop passed away on May 29. His funeral will take place on Saturday at the University of Venda Stadium. In her tribute, Ramokgopa honoured Farisani's lifelong commitment to justice, recalling his outspoken defence of VBS victims who lost life savings and community investments when the bank collapsed under a staggering R2 billion looting scandal. 'Government, under President Cyril Ramaphosa, has been for the people. We always said those who stole from VBS must be punished and languish in jail,' Ramokgopa said, adding that the Finance Department and the Reserve Bank should assist the suffering community to revive their only hope, VBS. In her address, Ramokgopa reminded the nation of the Vhembe community's enduring pain — a pain worsened by betrayal and scandal. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Since the shocking collapse of VBS in 2018, over 53 individuals have been charged with theft, fraud, corruption, money laundering, and violations of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act — accused of siphoning more than R2 billion from the mutual bank that once symbolised financial hope for Limpopo's people. Ramakgopa emphasised that the government has successfully rebuilt several institutions and therefore VBS should not be an issue. 'We have also successfully rebuilt the Limpopo provincial government after it collapsed through fraudulent activities,' she said. IOL Politics
The Citizen
11 hours ago
- The Citizen
Gauteng unveils high-tech, tamper-proof number plates
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has officially unveiled a new high-tech, tamper-proof provincial number plate system. The new intelligent number plate system is a secure, traceable and smart solution, incorporating tamper-evident decals, forensic QR codes and a fully digitised back-end portal. These technological enhancements are designed to combat vehicle theft, fraud and cloning, while improving road safety and empowering traffic law enforcement across the province. Speaking at the launch of the new plates on Thursday, Lesufi said the new system is a major step forward in the fight against criminality in the province. 'We are letting go of the old ways of fighting crime and introducing new ideas in this fight. With the help of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, we are now deploying a digital system that ensures we are able to account for every vehicle on our public roads. 'Those who are using fraudulent or duplicate number plates will have no space or time to drive on our roads,' he said at the launch held at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg. The province has launched a high-calibre 'weapon' in the fight against criminality and restoring order, he said. Rollout and combating crime The system will be piloted using g-Fleet vehicles affixed with the technologically advanced new number plates as part of the six-month stress testing project, before the provincial rollout. This system is set to drastically improve the credibility of number plates and enable license plate tracking within the value chain, from manufacturer to the vehicle owner. Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela highlighted that the launch represented a strategic provincial intervention to combat crime effectively and strengthen regulatory compliance. She added that this is an important pillar in the broader Provincial Integrated Crime Prevention Strategy. 'By partnering with law enforcement agencies, metro police departments and the private sector, we are enhancing vehicle identification and traceability. 'These smart number plates will significantly reduce vehicle cloning, trafficking of stolen vehicles, and the use of falsified plates in criminal activities. It is about disrupting criminal networks and improving road safety,' the MEC said. Meanwhile, as part of efforts to bolster traffic law enforcement, the Gauteng Provincial Government welcomed 96 officers from the Road Traffic Management Corporation. These additional 'boots on the ground' officers will enhance visibility and strengthen crime-fighting efforts in the province. 'With these additional resources, the provincial government will also be able to undertake interventions to stabilise and manage taxi violence at identified hotspots, promote responsible road usage and enhance traffic management,' the MEC said. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Vodacom's commitment to enhance rural connectivity in KwaZulu-Natal with over 300 new towers
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi. Image: KZN Cogta / Facebook Residents living in rural KwaZulu-Natal can expect better communication with the installation of more than 300 Vodacom towers over three years. This follows Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli's commitment to address the network problem in rural areas. Connectivity will be improved through this initiative, resulting in enhanced service delivery. Furthermore, the functionality of municipal offices will be strengthened, and long-standing challenges in remote communities will be addressed. On the sidelines of a meeting with Vodacom and various municipalities to initiate the rollout of network infrastructure in rural communities on Tuesday, KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi said people in rural areas still have network problems. Whether they want to call an ambulance or the police, they cannot do so because there is no network coverage. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Buthelezi said the programme was launched between the Office of the Premier, Vodacom, and the Ingonyama Trust Board. He said Cogta brought them together so the programme could begin. KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi convened a meeting with Vodacom and various municipalities to initiate the rollout of network infrastructure in rural communities. Image: KZN Cogta / Facebook 'Today (Tuesday), we met with various mayors in the province to emphasise that no programme should be blocked or delayed due to the permits from the municipality not being on time. The mayors have committed themselves to doing everything possible to ensure that the permits required from the municipalities are signed so that the construction of these towers can begin. 'Vodacom was there, and they committed to starting this programme soon so that we will not have this problem of network shortage again in this province.' Buthelezi said KZN, from uMzimkhulu to Pongola, will never be the same. There will be a huge technology difference. Vodacom committed to installing 108 network towers by the end of 2025, with an additional 100 towers to follow in 2026. 'Therefore, over the next three years, they will install more than 300 towers,' Buthelezi said. He said it is the first time the province has had such a strong programme that can bring together all concerned authorities and sectors. 'In KwaMhlabuyalingana, a Sassa office and a Home Affairs office are open, but there is no network. This means assistance brought by the government cannot help people if there is no network,' Buthelezi said. 'We hope that this will be a problem of the past that will no longer exist because of this programme that we are continuing today (Tuesday).' KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi convened a meeting with Vodacom and various municipalities to initiate the rollout of network infrastructure in rural communities. Image: KZN Cogta / Facebook During Africa Day commemoration, Ntuli said the provincial government, in trying to contribute to the development of the local economy in amakhosi areas, has persuaded Vodacom to build towers in rural areas. Ntuli said communications are important beyond just making a cellphone call. Their presence ensures that schools and pupils can do their schoolwork. Businesspeople can communicate and trade. That the police can do their job and that people communicate without interruption.
