MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe Launches provincial R19,5m Irrigation Schemes Revival Programme

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MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe Launches provincial R19,5m Irrigation Schemes Revival Programme

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS 

ONLINE_EDITOR 

CLICK HERE : KASIBC_AUDIO

In line with commitment outlined on the policy speech for 2025/26 financial year to revive irrigation schemes across the Eastern Cape, Department of Agriculture (DoA) MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe will lead the provincial launch of the revitalization of irrigation schemes on Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at Zanyokhwe, Amahlathi Local Municipality under Amathole District.

The R19,5 million investment into the irrigation schemes revival programme is aimed to support vegetable, grain and fodder production and equipment and machinery provision covering 1 528 hectares of land.

In its endeavour to curb food insecurity, the Eastern Cape department of Agriculture has prioritised revitalisation irrigation schemes during the 7th term government to ensure agriculture become an economic frontier of growth.

The revival of the schemes is set to improve agricultural productivity, enhance food security, provide reliable income for landowners in schemes, improve local economy and boost livelihoods in rural communities.

This revitalisation programme will ensure food security and farmer support and strengthened partnerships between government, private sector, and communities.

At least 613 ha with an investment of R5 million will be developed in Amathole district while Chris Hani will develop 700 ha from an investment of R6 million with OR Tambo developing 215 ha worth R3,5 million.

Furthermore, DoA implementing agency the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA) has been allocated R5 million to support with commercialization of the production, organize market, bring new production technologies, provide technical support and production finance facilities.

The funding criteria is not limited, in instances, where there are needs infrastructure repairs, districts will make their own determination.

According to the National Food and Nutrition Security Survey the province has the highest number of households that have access to land at 67%, while only 37% of that is put into productive use. The revitalisation of irrigation schemes presents an opportunity to unlock this potential and increase productive land use.

Agriculture is the major employer of people that are semi-skilled and investment in this sector can greatly contribute to reducing unemployment and food insecurity. Irrigations schemes are seen as vehicle that can significantly contribute to increase in agricultural productivity in the province.

The Zanyokhwe Irrigation Scheme spans across 6 villages and covers 635 hectares of land, of which 412 hectares are irrigated. The scheme supports 87 landowners organised into seven primary co-operatives and one secondary cooperative.

During the launch, the MEC will be engaged in a number of activities that include acknowledgement of the new Board, potato harvest demonstration and welcoming of graduate interns placed by DoA at the scheme to gain experience business skills and practical farming.

She will also handover vegetable production inputs, irrigation pipes, fodder production inputs and tractor implements.

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Mpumalanga Education refutes allegations relating to procurement of E-Learning Devices

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Mpumalanga Education refutes allegations relating to procurement of E-Learning Devices

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS 

ONLINE_EDITOR 

CLICK HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The Mpumalanga Department of Education notes with concern the article published by City Press and News24 regarding the procurement of laptops and tablets for learners.

The Department wishes to place the correct facts on record and dispel misleading allegations of wastage and irregular procurement.

The Ubuhlebuzile E-Learning Programme was introduced in 2022 as a well thought and phased intervention to enhance teaching and learning throughout the Province.

In 2022, the Department procured 64 000 tablets for Grade 12 learners under a three-year contract valued at R224 million, including a three-year warranty. The procurement was conducted through a SITA contract, with Bongani Rainmaker Limited (BRL) appointed as the supplier, in full compliance with applicable government procurement prescripts.

In 2025, the Department replaced the 2022 devices with 60 000 Packard Bell tablets valued at R232 million, inclusive of a three-year warranty.

These tablets were successfully distributed to Grade 12 learners in quintile 1 to 3 schools in 2025, and the Department is not aware of any verified reports of non-functionality.

The Department attributes the improved Grade 12 performance partly to the effective utilisation of e-learning and teaching devices.

The significant improvement from 79% in 2023 to 86. 55% in 2025 is also linked to the maturing of the e-learning programme introduced in 2022.

The allegation that the Packard Bell tablets constitute wastage is completely untrue and misplaced.

As part of the Department’s e-learning strategy, the 2025 Grade 12 tablets have been retrieved, formatted, and reloaded with updated content.

These devices will be re-issued to the 2026 Grade 12 cohort, ensuring cost efficiency and sustainability.

The Department has further placed an order for 70 000 Windows-based tablet notebooks to be issued to Grade 10 learners in 2026.

The cost of these devices is R330 million, not R600 million as alleged by the City Press.

The strategy is to issue content loaded devices to Grade 10 learners who will retain them through to Grade 12, thereby reducing future costs related to retrieval, redistribution, and logistics.Content to these devices will henceforth be updated remotely, further improving efficiency.

The procurement was facilitated through BRL, in terms of a contract that allows BRL to source devices based on Department-approved specifications, manage procurement, load educational content, and oversee distribution to schools.

The Department funds the programme through a dedicated e-learning allocation, supplemented by the Learning and Teaching Support Material (LTSM) budget, as the devices form an integral part of e-learning delivery.

For the 2025/26 financial year, the e-learning budget amounted to R717 million to cover both grade 10 and 12 learners and is allocated as follows:

R312 million for Grade 12 tablets, including e-content and distribution,

R126 million for the Edukite subject application, supplied via micro-SD cards under a separate contract,

The remaining R279 million, augmented by the LTSM budget, contributed to the procurement of 70 000 Grade 10 devices, with a total project value of R393 million, inclusive of devices, e-content, and distribution

The Department reiterates that all procurement processes were lawful, strategic, and aligned to improving learner outcomes.

Claims of wastage, inflated costs, or non-functional devices are factually incorrect and misleading.

The Department remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the effective use of technology to advance quality education for all learners through out the Province.

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Parliament holds State of the Nation Address at Cape Town City Hall, 12 Feb 2026

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Parliament holds State of the Nation Address at Cape Town City Hall, 12 Feb 2026

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS 

ONLINE_EDITOR 

CLICK HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The 7th Parliament will be holding the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 12 February at the Cape Town City Hall, Darling Street, at the Grand Parade, where President Nelson Mandela first appeared on 11 February 1990 before the people of South Africa after 27 years in prison.

The SONA is a constitutional event called by the President of the Republic in terms of Section 42(5) of the Constitution. It is a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament and one of the rare occasions that bring together the three arms of the state under one roof. To ensure that the majority of South Africans listen to this important Address, it is scheduled to take place in the evening at 19:00, when the majority of South Africans are at home.

The Address provides the President with an opportunity to speak to the nation on the general state of South Africa, reflecting on a wide range of political, economic and social matters within domestic and global contexts. It is also an opportunity for him to account to the nation on the work of government and to set out the government’s programme of action for the year.

Traditionally, the President makes key government announcements during this important sitting. During the week following the Address, a debate is held on it over two days. Thereafter, on the third day, the President is given an opportunity to reply to and close the debate.

The President delivers the Address before Parliament because it is Parliament that is charged with ensuring that the work flowing from the Address is implemented. Most importantly, SONA is delivered in Parliament because the priorities announced in it have budgetary implications demanding robust parliamentary oversight. This is one of Parliament’s core constitutional responsibilities.

Parliament may accept, reject or amend the budgets allocated to government departments to ensure that these align with national priorities, as outlined in the President’s Address. Parliament may also withhold the budgets of departments whose annual performance plans are not in line with these priorities.

The SONA is different from the occasion of the Opening of Parliament Address, which takes place only at the start of a new five-year term of Parliament, immediately after national general elections. This opening address is also held at Parliament in a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament.

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