2 000 hectares of land handed over to KZN community

Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development Mzwanele Nyhontso has officially handed over more than 2 000 hectares of land to the community of KwaMathonsi near KwaDukuza on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast in settling a land claim.

The community said in their land claim that they were dispossessed of their land from 1949 onwards to make room for sugarcane fields.

KwaMathonsi Community Trust secretary, Lindiwe Mbokazi says the beneficiaries are happy that they are starting a new chapter in their lives.

“Today we are so excited and overwhelmed and grateful as the government is here to issue the title deeds for three phases that have been brought for KwaMathonsi community. The land is productive currently producing sugarcane and it covers 2 100 hectares and we are on the ground. So, we are going to keep sugarcane and we have no plans to uproot the sugarcane.”

Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal Agriculture MEC Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthembeni  says the department will work closely with the beneficiaries to provide them with necessary skills.

“We have extension officers that have been deployed in this area or in each and every ward to supervise and assist with skills development so that the programme continues. The district officers will make sure that they are also supervising and I am happy that the claimants are not individuals but it’s Inkosi on behalf of the community and that alone is a historical activity that will make sure that each and every resident is a beneficiary. I am happy that over 200 people are permanently employed and that will boost the economy of KwaDukuza.”