Latest news with #LandandEnvironmentalAffairs
The Citizen
31-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Mpumalanga Fresh Produce Market misses another deadline: Agriculture announces postponement of launch
The long-awaited launch of the Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market (MIFPM) has been postponed yet again. On Thursday, July 31, the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (Dardlea) released a statement announcing that the launch – which was scheduled for the end of July – has been delayed once more. According to Dardlea's provincial spokesperson, Zanele Shabangu, a new official launch date will be communicated once all outstanding regulatory processes have been finalised to ensure that the market can operate in a sustainable and legally compliant manner. ALSO READ: Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market misses deadline The MIFPM, described by Premier Mandla Ndlovu as the country's first fresh produce market since liberation, was initially announced in November 2018 and was due for completion by September 2020. However, various challenges led to multiple delays. Another deadline – intended as a soft launch – was missed in April. This soft launch was announced by Ndlovu during the State of the Province Address in February. Then, on July 12, he stated that the market would open by the end of the month. 'As part of our commitment to transparency, accountability and responsible governance, the Mpumalanga provincial government wishes to inform the public and all stakeholders that the official launch of the MIFPM, initially planned for July 2025, has been postponed,' said Shabangu. She added that the decision follows the identification of a technical administrative oversight during the final stages of preparation. 'Specifically, the operational-specific by-laws that regulate the day-to-day functioning of the market are still in the process of formal adoption by the relevant municipal structures.' Shabangu said the Certificate of Occupancy is also in the process of being finalised as part of the remaining statutory compliance requirements. While procedural in nature, these elements are essential to ensuring that the market operates in line with all legislative, safety and governance standards. ALSO READ: Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market officially handed over to departments In the interim, Dardlea will continue with its planned outreach programme, including roadshows and stakeholder engagements. 'These engagements aim to maintain momentum, deepen communication and ensure that farmers and stakeholders are fully informed and prepared for the revised market timeline. 'The provincial government remains fully committed to delivering a safe, functional and transformative fresh produce market that advances agricultural development, food system integration and economic inclusion across Mpumalanga,' Shabangu said.
The Citizen
22-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Oshoek Border Post community participates in environmental awareness campaign
An environmental awareness campaign gave locals a chance to participate in a clean-up initiative that boosted the environmental outlook of the Oshoek Border Post between South Africa and the Kingdom of eSwatini. The Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (Dardlea), in partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, hosted the campaign on June 12. The aim was to inform the local community about the importance of environmental conservation and to promote sustainable practices. ALSO READ: Mpumalanga MEC rallies residents against plastic pollution Locals came out in their numbers to learn about environmental conservation. The venue was laid out with exhibition stands that provided an engaging platform on issues of recycling, the benefits of a clean environment and Dardlea's Zonda Insila Programme. At Ntabanhle Primary School, visiting officials engaged with youngsters on environmental awareness and climate change, focusing on waste management, protecting the environment, and promoting sustainable practices. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
31-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Policy issues of legal cannabis and marula industries discussed at festival
The fourth annual Insangu-Maganu Symposium, Expo and Culinary Festival took place on Friday, May 23. Cannabis entrepreneurs exhibited a wide range of products, with insangu (cannabis) and maganu (marula) taking centre stage. Exhibitors and cannabis enthusiasts came out in numbers to showcase their ideas and products. The symposium aimed to create awareness and build capacity for producers of legal cannabis and marula products – with a focus on cannabis policy issues, opportunities, challenges, markets and synergies – and highlighted the environmental, cultural, medicinal and economic values locked in these plants. ALSO READ: Security cluster conduct dagga busts in Pienaar schools Shiba Mashinini, a manufacturer of medicinal and industrial cannabis products, said that the cannabis industry can combat South Africa's poverty. 'I would like the government to engage with people that are already producing in the cannabis industry. Managing it wouldn't be difficult if the government simply involved the people who've been working with cannabis for years. But current regulations are holding us back from fully benefiting in the industry. We'd like to see the government ease up, so we can be more productive and help create jobs for our communities.' ALSO READ: Unutilised public buildings in Mpumalanga converted into shelters for GBV victims The event, the brainchild of the Lisango-Guma Cultural Village in Schagen, was supported by the the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, the Small Enterprise Development Agency, and other stakeholders. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
