The agricultural prospects of the Bumbane community received a significant uplift as the Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) handed over a state-of-the-art tractor with farming implements to Queen Nokwanda Dalindyebo.
The donation, which includes a moldboard plough, disc plough, potato planter, and potato harvester, was officially presented by DRDAR MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe at the Bumbane Great Place on Monday. This initiative is expected to invigorate the local agricultural sector, creating jobs and addressing food insecurity in the region.
Speaking at the handover, MEC Kontsiwe emphasized the department’s focus on fostering food production and empowering rural communities. Highlighting the collaboration with traditional leaders, she remarked,
We entrust this resource to King Zwelibanzi because he understands the needs of his people. Our goal is not only to encourage subsistence farming but to support commercial agriculture that can supply local markets and government programs.
Potato Hub Development
Bumbane has also been earmarked as a key site for establishing a Potato Hub in the OR Tambo District. This initiative will bring together 20 farmers, including King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, who owns 20 hectares of agricultural land, to form a commercial potato enterprise. The venture aims to supply the Kei Fresh Produce Market in Mthatha, further enhancing economic opportunities for the community.
Community Revival
Queen Nokwanda expressed heartfelt gratitude for the donation, stating it marks a turning point for Bumbane’s agricultural revival.
This tractor will help restore, and hopefully surpass, the 300 jobs lost since King Zwelibanzi’s incarceration in 2016. Agriculture was his passion, and this donation will allow us to breathe new life into the sector, she said.
She recounted the struggles of community members, including an elderly woman who once worked at the Great Place and now relies solely on a social grant. Queen Nokwanda expressed hope for sustained government and private-sector support to help the community rebuild and thrive.
Commitment to Rural Development
This donation is part of DRDAR’s broader strategy to alleviate food insecurity in the Eastern Cape. Since the 2024/25 policy rollout, the department has prioritized establishing rural food hubs to enable producers to store, process, and distribute their harvests efficiently.
The tractor and implements are expected to catalyze economic growth, ensuring Bumbane remains a key player in the Eastern Cape’s agricultural development.
