30 June 2015
The South African Communist Party (SACP) in the Eastern Cape is deeply concerned with the inexcusable situation of both Magwa Tea Estate and Majola Tea Estate. It is a said reality that workers will go for months without remuneration which then put their families in duress.
It is a known reality that in South Africa an average worker support a family of more than five people. It is in this context that we think a speedy solution is required on the matter. These two tea estates are as a result of government intervention to caution the people of that area on the hard hitting poverty. They are there to also help in stimulating economic activities in that part of the province. They are therefore of strategic importance not only to the people of that area but to the entire province, if we are to be decisive in industrialization of our province.
We are of the firm view that all the relevant departments in the province should decisively intervene in the situation. We should all implement decisions we take, the decisions of the ANC Lekgotla and those of the government on the matter. Our government should take greater responsibility in sustaining all important interventions on cautioning our people of poverty.
We welcome the interventions that are currently being made by MEC of Agriculture, Rural Development and Agrarian Reform in trying to secure bailout from the Provincial Treasury for these two tea estates. It is in this context that we call upon the MEC of Treasury and the management to avail these required resources urgently.
The SACP will request a meeting with Cde Mlibo Qhoboshiyana, MEC of Agriculture, Rural Development and Agrarian Reform and the leadership of NEHAWU to discuss other possible and sustainable interventions.
Issued by the SACP Eastern Cape.
Contact:
Siyabonga Mdodi
SACP Provincial Spokesperson
Mobile: +2783 358 8070
Office: +2740 635 1046/42
Fax: +2786 286 1281
Facebook: SACP Eastern Cape