• Welcome, Ambassador Frazer, MEC Duma, Mrs. Ratshikana (Anna), representatives from the media, partners, and colleagues:

• My name is Carleene Dei.  I am the new Mission Director for the United States Agency for International Development, commonly known as “USAID”, here in South Africa.  But this is not the first time I’ve worked in this incredible country.  I was here between 1994 and 1999.  So I’ve had the privilege of personally witnessing this country’s miraculous first democratic elections. 

• Very importantly, that means I was part of your country’s first reconstruction and development efforts introduced by former President Nelson Mandela.  My USAID responsibilities at that time included supporting South Africa’s provision of affordable housing and urban services, such as water, sanitation and electricity.

• I’ve only been back on the southern tip of Africa for about seven weeks, but I can attest to the glorious and positive changes taking root from those early seeds planted to alleviate poverty and sow equality for all.

• USAID supported that process and continues to work by your side.  Our programs promote good governance and accessible education;  strengthen economic policies that attract foreign investors and promote partnerships between business and government; improve health care to respond to what South Africans of all ages need, and create jobs by strengthening small businesses and agriculture.  All our efforts incorporate HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care, through President Bush’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

• Today we are seeing an agriculture project supported by USAID through our “Promoting Agribusiness Linkages” or “PAL” program.  The PAL project operates in 7 of South Africa’s 9 provinces.  The primary objective is to facilitate greater interaction and more transactions between historically disadvantaged individuals or emerging firms and commercial agri-business.  These linkages create economic growth and employment opportunities. 

• In North West Province, PAL has conducted studies to identify high-value and niche market opportunities and link them with new emerging farmers.  More specifically, the studies confirmed the existence of profitable, viable local markets for fresh vegetables like this farm today. 

• The results of the PAL studies also showed how USAID could complement the good work of the Provincial Government.  The Provincial Government is assisting historically disadvantaged farmers to gain access to land and equipment through leasing, transfers and access to finance.  But further needs exist for proper technical training and access to markets.

• Therefore, USAID decided to provide training to improve farming techniques and help farmers to build successful businesses through management training and by linking them to larger markets like ShopRite-Checkers, Fruit and Veg City and other market outlets. 

• Our implementing partner is ECIAfrica, represented here today by Gary Mullins and his team (Seatla Nkosi, Offert Motjiwas, and Job Metswamere).  ECIAfrica is managed by the well-known American group, Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), that hosted the fifth annual US-Africa Business Summit late last week in the US.  USAID’s Administrator, Andrew Natsios, told a group of participants at the Summit that our Agency is committed to “helping Africans help themselves out of poverty.”  He explained that health problems--so rampant in this part of the world (such as AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis)--add to Africa’s economic problems.   He indicated that our programs address these health-related issues, while also promoting the capacity for Africans to participate in agriculture development and trade.  PAL is our key program for providing these opportunities.  

• As part of their good work, PAL has identified and contracted with the highly successful Dew Crisp Farm to provide specialized training to 18 selected members of NWP vegetable producers’ associations.  These farmers have since undergone intensive, practical training in horticultural production and supervision, as well as agribusiness management.  Two of the “graduates” are with us today: Lydia Segola and Phillimon Motaung.  We look forward to hearing about your experiences. 

• But let me turn to the reason we are gathered here today.  I’ve been looking forward to the privilege of meeting Mrs. Ratshikana (Anna), 2004 NW Province Female Farmer of the Year, and seeing her extremely successful farm.  She received technical assistance from the PAL project, and soon she will participate in an intensive training program in horticultural production and supervision, as well as agribusiness management.  The same program completed by Lydia and Phillimon.

• Before turning this over to Mrs. Rathikana (Anna), let me ask the Honorable MEC of Agriculture, Mr. Dumas, to say a few words.  But then, I would like to ask Mrs. Ratshikana (Anna) to tell us how she got started in her “second” career as a farmer.  I say “second” because I understand that she became a farmer after a 40-year career in nursing.   When I see such outstanding progress being made by women entrepreneurs like Anna, and recognized by her Government, I can only smile with satisfaction.  The development process works best when people with brilliant ideas are given a chance to put their dreams into action.  Anna, you inspire the rest of us.  If this is the type of vision that a 70-year-old can make come true, then there’s still hope for the rest of us.

For further information, please contact Reverie Zurba at (012) 452 2000