Hon Chair, rural development and land reform remains yet another unfulfilled state promise in jobs in rural economies namely: agriculture, agribusiness and sustainable tourism are yet to benefit the poor and most vulnerable in this area.
South Africa cannot be transformed until all rural areas are transformed such that they are unable to take their rightful place in the development of their country. In this country we no longer have second plus citizens, our rural citizens cannot be dead.
The first priority in our view is that rural people must be assisted to live fully positive lives. There are so many food items that we are importing simply because we have not harness the capacity of our rural people. Education and healthy provision must be improved. Land reform is crucial to the development of this country. These programmes must seek not only to correct historical matters. We live with this programme today; the descended who gained and are richer for it, the descended of those who lost land remain poor.
We are happy that the President has deemed it fit to bring you back to the department Madam Minister. Your experience in the department could help deal with the corruption and efficiency that sometimes hold the programmes back. The IFP supports this Budget Vote and we are aware of the challenges you face hon Minster. We commit to work with you to build South Africa together and achieve the department's goal. I thank you.