The minister made this statement when she attended a two-day programme held by Sernick Group in Kroonstad where certificates were handed over to emerging farmers in the Free State after completing training by Sernick. Didiza added that after training and assessment, the prospective farmer will then receive support from government to commence farming. Here is Didiza…

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Didiza during her visit noted that some of the farms that were advertised by government were already occupied by farmers and communities while others are vacant. She explained that the government has made a commitment that those who are allocated state land will have to undergo training whereafter their level of knowledge and skill will be assessed. Applicants will after training then receive support from the government to be able to start farming.

The minister added when her department looked at programmes being offered by various institutions they found that the Sernick Group fit the profile as they addressed the need that the department was looking to fill. Furthermore, she added that the government has another training programme, in collaboration with the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz), where on an annual basis 1 000 interns are accepted to participate. Didiza said these interns consist of unemployed agricultural graduates as well as unemployed people who did not necessarily graduate from agricultural courses.

Furthermore, the purpose of the minister’s visit to the Sernick Group stemmed from a meeting between the department and Sernick to look at how the two can work together in terms of the group’s training programme. 

Part of her visit to Kroonstad was to also attend a graduating ceremony by Sernick Group where certificates were handed over to emerging farmers. Didiza congratulated graduates and expressed her satisfaction as a high number of women were among the graduates. During her speech, she emphasised the fact that women should be economically developed and should have access to land.

The graduating ceremony and the minister’s visit to the Free State came after applications to apply for advertised state land closed on 15 November. In just a few days leading up to the closure of applications, Didiza announced that her department received more than 5 000 online applications. This came after she announced in October this year that about 529 000 hectares amounting to 894 farms were up for grabs in seven provinces.

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