Deputy Minister Mathabatha Visits Loufontein Farm to Highlight Successful Land Reform Initiative

Deputy Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Chupu Stanley Mathabatha, visited Loufontein farm in the Breede Valley Municipality, Western Cape, located outside Villiersdorp, as part of the department’s Pre-State of the Nation Address outreach activities. The visit aimed to showcase successful land reform initiatives and highlight government efforts to support sustainable agricultural development. Loufontein farm is a model project under the department’s Land Development Support (LDS) programme, which provides beneficiaries with assistance designed to ensure the sustainability and financial success of their farming operations. The programme combines technical support, access to production inputs, and infrastructure improvements to strengthen land reform outcomes.

The Loufontein farm covers a total area of 723.3531 hectares, with 54 hectares dedicated to the production of deciduous fruit for export. The farm grows apples on 40 hectares, pears on 12 hectares, and nectarines on 2 hectares, contributing to South Africa’s agricultural export portfolio. The land is leased by Mr Sewis Van Der Hort, who has successfully implemented commercial farming practices to maximise productivity. The farm demonstrates how structured support through land reform programmes can transform previously underutilised land into commercially viable operations.

Deputy Minister Mathabatha described the visit as a proud moment for the department, stating that it showcases government efforts in supporting the broader national development agenda and accelerating land reform. He emphasised the importance of structured interventions that equip land reform beneficiaries with the resources, skills, and infrastructure necessary to run sustainable farming enterprises. Loufontein farm serves as an example of how government programmes, combined with private sector collaboration, can create successful land reform outcomes that benefit both communities and the national economy.

The department worked in partnership with the Deciduous Fruit Development Chamber to provide comprehensive support to Loufontein farm. Assistance includes the provision of essential farming tools, production inputs such as fertilizers and seedlings, and infrastructure improvements, including irrigation systems. These measures ensure that land reform beneficiaries can operate efficiently, achieve high yields, and maintain competitiveness in export markets. By investing in both technical support and infrastructure, the department aims to secure the long-term sustainability of land reform farms.

Loufontein farm’s success highlights the potential of the LDS programme to transform land reform into commercially viable agricultural enterprises. By combining government support, beneficiary commitment, and private sector partnerships, farms like Loufontein contribute to food security, export growth, and rural economic development. Deputy Minister Mathabatha’s visit reinforces the department’s commitment to supporting land reform beneficiaries and ensuring that land reform not only provides access to land but also enables sustainable and profitable farming operations across South Africa.