09 Oct 2022

The Phirinyane family of Kanye has been challenged to adopt the Reset Agenda by exploiting value chain opportunities in the agricultural sector as a way of  keeping the late Mr John Phirinyane’s legacy alive.

The advice was given by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi in Kanye Friday when he paid the family a condolence visit. Mr Phirinyane was laid to rest on September 17.

A master farmer, Mr Phirinyane was part of the Mosisedi farming block. His contribution to farming earned him a Presidential Certificate of Honour.

President Masisi suggested that the family exploit value chain opportunities such as branding, packaging, labelling and conservation of farm produce.

He said such initiatives could go a long way in creating employment thereby reducing the country’s unemployment rate.

“Employment creation is not entirely the government’s responsibility, but it starts from family set-ups,” stressed Dr Masisi.

He described the deceased as a giant whose contribution to the agricultural sector was immense.

“The nation has lost a giant in Mr Phirinyane and his united and robust family structure is evidence that he was a true leader and builder. He was exemplary as both a visionary leader and farmer and I believe that such qualities will continue since he has passed them on to his children,” he said.

He underscored the need to pass legacies to other generations for the country to grow and develop further. 

President Masisi also called for mindset change to accommodate emerging issues resulting from the likes of climate change, inflation and economic variables.

Such changes necessitated finding creative and innovative ways of doing things to ensure effectiveness, he said.

The President urged Mr Phirinyane’s widow to encourage and guide her children to utilise modern technology to produce food and create employment.

Earlier welcoming the President and his entourage comprising Minister of Foreign Affairs and Kanye South MP Dr Lemogang Kwape, Minister of Agriculture Mr Fidelis Molao and other government officials, family representative Mr Keoagile Phirinyane described his late brother as a hardworking farmer who was committed to uniting his family.

“He was a hardworking farmer and he passed those traits to his children from a young age. As a family, we have lost a foot soldier who united us. Even during his illness, my brother was active in farming ventures,” he said.

He commended government for acknowledging and recognising heroes of his brother’s calibre.

 Assuring Dr Masisi that the family would continue the good working relationship with government that his brother had established, he also said the deceased’s legacy would live through his children. 

“Even though we have suffered a great loss, we choose to celebrate his legacy that he has passed to his sons while he was alive, and the relationship he built with the government will continue through his wife and children,” he noted. Ends