Mr Chairperson, hon Minister, hon members, hon special delegates, just a point of correction, I am not Mrs Botha, I am Miss Botha. It is indeed an honour to speak in this debate, that is the review of policy of the Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs, and not that of Zimbabwe as some members seem to think.
The Northern Cape has benefited enormously from the land restitution and land reform processes initiated by this department. Communities robbed of their ancestral land, such as the Riemvasmakers, the Basters form Philandersbron, the Bathlaping from Schmidtsdrift and many others are eternally grateful to our democratically elected Goverment for making it possible to get back their land, taken away, of course, by the apartheid masters.
The Riemvasmakers are today a vibrant community. Houses have been built and the school is doing well. A few weeks ago, two young men who completed their university studies, became the first two Riemvasmakers who graduated since the return to their land in 1994. They are now studying for their postgraduate degrees.
Looking at the further development of the land, our next focus should be the development of the hectares of land at the mouth of the Molopo. This land is most suitable for crop planting, especially the planting of table grapes of export quality. We hope that, with the assistance of Land Affairs, this will be possible.
Platfontein and Schmidtsdrift are rapidly moving towards the realisation of our hopes. The development of infrastructure will be realised in this financial year. Some political parties try to gain political mileage from the restitution and development processes of these two areas. I would like to urge all political parties to work together and be supportive of these processes for establishing displaced communities.
The Mier community has acquired three farms through the land reform process, but are unhappy because of one of these farms, Klein Mier 1. People are alleging that the former owner, who is still living there, is removing infrastructure from the farm. Built-in cupboards, as well as fencing, have been reformed. No inventory list exists, although several requests have been made. I humbly request the Minister to look into the matter and assist us in eliminating all blockages or misunderstandings. The emerging farmers want to occupy the farm but we have persuaded them not to do so until we have taken the matter up. In August 1999 the portfolio committee of the Northern Cape held public hearings on the conditions of service of farmworkers in our province. According to my knowledge - and I speak under correction - we were the first province to do so. A copy of the committee's report has been sent to the hon the Minister's office, as well as to the office of the Minister of Labour.
During the public hearings several concerns were raised. Living conditions and salaries in most areas were measly and shocking. We are in the process of approaching the Human Rights Commission to investigate some of the complaints we received. Some farmers and farmworkers have actually gone a long way in developing their working relationship and having agreements on the conditions of service. The implementation of the Extension of Security of Tenure Act is widely welcomed in the Northern Cape.
The depopulation of the platteland is a concern in the Northern Cape. Squatter camps in towns such as Keimoes and Kimberley are growing, mostly populated by displaced farmworkers. Urgent attention needs to be given to this phenomenon, and assistance to emerging farmers, especially women, will stem the tide of the diaspora of our rural communities. Banks are closing in towns such as Carnavon. Emerging farmers must become commercial farmers. They should be nurtured in that direction in order to create jobs in rural areas and revive these economies.
The provision of water, electricity and infrastructure such as roads are factors that also need to be taken into consideration when addressing rural economies. Intergovernmental planning is essential in that regard. I think the hon the Minister has alluded to intergovernmental co-operation and working together in her speech to this House. The Northern Cape is thankful for the programmes and assistance to emerging farmers.
With the good rains the province has received, the Kalahari is green right up to the Hantam. Stock farmers will especially benefit from the good veld conditions. We did have some flood damage, but not to the extent that the other provinces have suffered. We realise that we are lucky in that regard. We would therefore like to support the Northern Province, Mpumalanga and other provinces in rebuilding the huge damage to infrastructure and the lives of our people.
When the Minister delivered her speech, she actually referred to the need for electricity to boost agricultural development. We are in the process of trying to see if we cannot get electricity to the Kalahari. The Minister is a regular visitor to the Northern Cape, so she knows that there are no roads, no electricity, and water is very scarce. If she could help us in lobbying to light up the Kalahari from the Namibian to the Botswana border, we would appreciate it very much. We would also appreciate it if we can get the support of this House.
This is an opportunity I cannot let slip through my fingers in that regard. [Laughter.] I am also very glad to hear that the power of attorney will be transferred to provincial MECs of agriculture in the administration of state land. That is indeed good news for us, which will also help emerging farmers, especially women in our rural areas, to become farmers and eventually become commercial farmers and participate in the market economy. [Applause.]