GEORGE NEWS - The Masincedane Communal Property Association (CPA) calls on all its members to be part of the revival of the once successful black farmers project in George.

CPA was one of the first projects in George to receive land through the government Land Reform Programme in 1998. 

It is a community of cattle owners from areas such as Lawaaikamp, Borcherds, Thembalethu, and Conville. 

The initial motivation for the project was to provide grazing for their cattle that roam the streets and freeways, posing great risk for motorists.

Johnny Slingers, a land reform specialist and mediator who is helping CPA get on its feet, said the failure of the Land Reform Programme impacted negatively on the CPA project.

The project was supposed to transform individual cattle owners into a group of sustainable commercial farmers. 

"As little or no support was forthcoming from government side, members of the CPA over the years lost interest and left or stayed away from meetings, while others had passed away. The current situation is that those who are still in the project are struggling to make ends meet. But, worst of all, they have fallen into non-compliance with the law," he said.

Slingers said the requirements include accounting for membership, holding annual general meetings and providing financial statements.

"Government agencies do not want to render support to bodies that are non-compliant, especially when they cannot hold properly constituted meetings and take resolutions. 

"It is in this regard that the Masincedane CPA is conducting a membership verification drive, to trace absent and missing members in order for them to confirm that they still regard themselves as members, or alternatively formally relinquish membership."

Members are asked to contact Slingers on 082 377 7780.

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