27 Feb 2022

Only one farm was allocated to youth from the farms that were advertised and awarded at Banyana Farms between November 1, 2019 and August 1, 2020 under phase two restructuring.

Responding on behalf of the Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security,  Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe told Parliament that the farm allocated to youth measured 4 967 hectares and was currently developed and yet to be stocked.

He said under phase one restructuring, 10 farms were allocated to individuals and companies in December 2011 and were currently stocked with beef cattle and fully operational.

Mr Lelatisitswe said 6 442 hectares were allocated to Banyana Farms employees, 7 811 hectares to Steelbase, 6 179 hectares to Clifton Meadows, 15 157 hectares to Dotcom Trading, 9 329 hectares  to Mr Ikwatlhaeng Bagopi, 7 780 hectares to Lussim Simmentaler, 9 263 hectares to Mr Oabona Kgengwenyane, 6 556 hectares to Ms Maranki Mokgalagadi, 11 833 hectares to Pedally Holdings while  Little Norfolk got 14 378 hectares.

The assistant minister said under phase two restructuring, eight sub divisions were awarded between August 1 and November 1, 2020 to Batswana individuals and Batswana companies and they were currently being developed.

Of the said farms, he said, Mr Samuel Pheresi got 5 373 hectares, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi got 4 946 hectares, Hereford community 4 093 hectares, Mr Keresepe Sekwenyane 3 918 hectares, Mr Jeff Siamisang 4 960 hectares, PKMD 4 927 hectares, Advocate Setso Mokoti 4 967 hectares, Mr Mpusang Kgamane 5 720 hectares, Faheem Investments 7 195 hectares while Mabule/Sekhutlane/Lerolwane community 4 230 hectares.

In addition, Mr Lelatisitswe said Hereford community in the Kgalagadi District and Mabule, Lerolwane and Sekhutlane communities in the Southern District were awarded the ranches through a Presidential Directive of August 20, 2015 and were yet to be developed. 

He said the respective district councils were currently mobilising to assist the communities develop the farms.

Kgalagadi South legislator, Mr Sam Brooks had asked the minister to state the number of farms allocated to the youth at Banyana Farms, their sizes and extent of development. Mr Brooks also requested the number and names of individuals or companies awarded farms and those that were not yet developed and the way forward regarding such. ends