The ANC-led government believes that rural development is a central pillar of our struggle against unemployment, poverty and inequality. High levels of rural poverty and inequality inhibit the growth of our economy and undermine our efforts to ensure that growth is more equitably shared amongst our people.
The ANC-led government launched an ilima/letsema campaign aimed at mobilising communities to use the ploughing of fields in order to ensure that no land lies unplanted and that all land available is used productively to ensure food security. Through this campaign the government aims to distribute agricultural starter packs to poor households. An amount of R1,2 billion has been allocated for this purpose.
Together with the people, the ANC is intensifying the land reform programme to ensure that more land is in the hands of the rural poor. We will provide them with technical skills and financial resources to productively use the land to create sustainable livelihoods and decent work in rural areas. Working together, we can do more! Vote ANC. Thank you. [Applause.]