New centre aims to promote economic growth
The initiation of the Centre came about through collaboration of the KZN Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the University of Zululand, initiated by the Office of the Premier in 2014.
PHOTO: Thando Ndlovu
‘IF we were exploiting opportunities available in the agricultural sector, we would not be talking about this high rate of unemployment the country faces today.’
This was the viewpoint of the KZN MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Cyril Xaba when he spoke at the University of Zululand during the official opening of the Centre for Sustainable Integrated Rural Development.
Xaba appealed to the youth to take agriculture seriously, saying though the sector was being overlooked, it remained the backbone of the country’s economy.
The initiation of the Centre came about through collaboration of the KZN Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the University of Zululand, initiated by the Office of the Premier in 2014.
This is in line with the department’s new strategy of Agrarian Reform and transformation with the aim of promoting through partnerships, sound agricultural practises that promote economic growth, food security and the advancement of rural communities in KZN.
‘The Centre we are opening today will offer education and training from skills development to a Masters and Doctorate level. A key component of its work will be research and development as well as outreach work, which are major drivers in the building blocks of our department’s new strategy,’ he said.
Xaba was joined by the First Lady, Mama Sizakele MaKhumalo-Zuma and Inkosi Mandla Mkhwanazi who are both instrumental in unlocking rural development.
