AfriForum and AmaBhele kaJamangile Traditional Council sign agreement on Agriculture
by HRH Stella Sigcau
Seated: Kallie Kriel, CEO of Afriforum, Flip Buys, Chairperson of Afriforum, iNkosi Zwelothando Mabandla and Princess Thembela Mabandla-Lingani, Private Secretary to iNkosi Zwelothando
Standing: Bhelekazi Mabandla, Head of Diplomatic Services, Prince Sivile Mabandla, Barend Uys, Head of Intercultural Cooperation at Afriforum, Mosses Ajuong Gar, Special Advisor DP South Sudan and Prince Mbasa Beja, Special Advisor to iNkosi Zwelothando Mabandla (Photo by Bhelekazi Mabandla)
10 March 2022
Representatives from AfriForum and the Office of iNkosi Zwelothando Mabandla who is the Senior Traditional Leader of AmaBhele kaJamangile Traditional Community signed a mutual recognition and cooperation agreement in the area of agriculture on 2 March 2022.
This was a follow up from a meeting that took place in December 2021 at Mqokolweni Great Place near Maclear (Nqanqarhu) in the Eastern Cape where AfriForum and representatives of the Office of iNkosi Mabandla discussed cooperation, informed Princess Bhelekazi Mabandla.
According to Princess Mabandla who is the Head of Royal Diplomatic Services of the Jamangile kaMabandla Royal Family and member of the South African Royal Princesses Network, an agreement was reached to cooperate on agricultural development and to establish a recognition and cooperation agreement based on mutual recognition and respect.
-promotion of intercultural reconciliation and dialogue
-cooperation in agricultural development
-promotion of community self-sufficiency and self-management
-preservation and safeguarding of cultural identity and heritage
According to iNkosi Mabandla, the signing of this agreement is an important step towards developing a sustainable, empowered and prosperous community through the implementation of developmental projects that will benefit the community at large.
Barend Uys, Head of Intercultural Cooperations at Afriforum explained that the best way to establish good relationships is cooperation on joint projects, to face challenges and achieve success together.
Both parties are excited about this milestone and the prospects of the relationship they forged. It is expected that the implementation of the agreement will contribute to rural development job creation and in the fight against poverty.