06 Jul 2015

Tuli Block farmers have been asked to assist in providing office space to the Ministry of Health to be used as a mobile health centre.

The Member of Parliament for Sefhare Ramokgonami, Ms Dorcas Makgato told farmers that in order to bring services closer to the people, the ministry has decided that a centre be set up in the area. 

Ms Makgato said Tuli Block was far from medical facilities hence the decision to visit the area on a monthly basis to provide medical services. 

She also informed them about complaints raised by the employees such as lack of overtime, working without contracts, poor accommodation and ill-treatment. She asked them to come up with concrete solutions to the problems raised.

Ms Makgato, who is also the Minister of Health, also invited employers to partner with her ministry to improve health service delivery to their employees. 

She appreciated the fact that they were providing accommodation for their employees despite that they were not obliged to do so. 

She advised employers to abide by the government Employment Act and pay overtime for workers who had worked it rather than give them food as compensation. 

Commenting, employers thanked the MP Makgato for the visit, and informed her that they have an association that they use to voice out their issues.

They requested the Ministry of Agriculture to improve the means of communication with farmers, noting that as Tuli Block Farmers Association they are willing to join hands with government towards the development of the country.

Mr Erharvt Brumner of Kwalata Ranch asked theMP to consider providing ARVs to their employees to reduce absenteeism by employees visiting medical facilities for such drugs. 

Mr Lawrence Rich of PJ Rich Farm said most of their employees are semi illiterate and lazy, adding that in most cases they are employed on temporary basis as labourers and it would be costly to provide them with protective clothing. He said they provide them for permanent employees.

Employers said they were trying their level best to address employees’ grievances, adding that they have also out of compassion provided them with accommodation.

They said they were fully aware that their employees’ fitness means increased production, hence the need to take care of them. 

Tuli Block farmers thanked the government for the re-construction of Sherwood road, saying it was a major breakthrough in terms of their business. They also appealed to the Ministry of Agriculture to consider re-visiting selling of beef directly to South Africa as it was a case before. The raised a concern that BMC was taking long to pay them for cattle sold. 

Other complaints raised included water shortage which had forced residents to fetch water from their farms free.

In response, MP Makgato concurred with farmers on water shortage challenge, adding that measures were being put in place to address the country wide outcry.

The North South Water Carrier (NSC) would soon be commissioned to alleviate the problem, while preservation and water recycling would also be taken into consideration, she added.

Giving a vote of thanks, area councilor Mr Joseph Molamu said the Tuli Block Farmers have potential to revive the economy of this country, despite the challenges they experience.

He appreciated the transformation and diversification of the Tuli Block farming from being a predominantly commercial crop and animal production to game farming and tourism venture. 

He also applauded them for working hard to improve working conditions of their employees.

Mr Molamu said the farmers’ contribution towards the area’s activities was of significance as it benefited the villagers, schools and the community at large. He also said the Sherwood Market Day activity, targets area women to showcase their art work and other products, adding that the initiative of Ferguson’s family was commendable.

He said the communities request the government to consider developing a buffer zone to allow communities to access the Limpopo River and urged farmers to work with government so that they could resolve the matter amicably. ENDS