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Masia Development Trust and Univen join forces to benefit the community

L-R Prof Peter Mbati, Mr Pandelani, Honourable Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Mr Nkwinti, and Thovhele Vho-Nthumeni Masia

The Masia Trust and Univen have signed a memorandum of agreement to improve the quality of life of the Ha-Masia population. Through this partnership Univen will mobilise its knowledge and expertise to implement rural community-owned and driven development initiatives. Furthermore, Univen will establish a grassroots community engagement site where the University’s various schools will assist in ways to deal with real life challenges. Other focus areas are the training of local school principals to manage schools, finances and labour relations and administrative personnel in various community institutions in client relations and resource mobilisation. Research also needs to be done for mining opportunities and agricultural development - particularly for food security, storage facilities, soil water management and livestock, vegetable and orchard farming. Environmental management and urban and regional planning for business and residential area demarcation were also identified as focus areas. The University’s Centre for Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation will manage the project. The Chairperson of the Masia Development Trust, Mr Pandelani and Univen Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Peter Mbati signed the understanding. The Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, Mr Nkwinti, the Limpopo Member of the Executive Committee for Public Works, Mr Phadagi, the Mayor of the Makhado Municipality, Councillor Luruli and the Deputy Chairperson of the Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders, Mr Khosi Netshimbupfe attended the signing ceremony. Both Prof Francis and Ms Kilonzo of the Centre for Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation are of the view that this paves the way for the establishment of a grassroots community engagement site for Univen. “There is huge potential for conducting inter-disciplinary community-based research and development work and a strategic opportunity for developing a rural community development model, involving, a university and a philanthropic organisation. “It is a huge challenge for us, requiring careful facilitation, mobilisation and organization of human and financial capital to meet the aspirations of the community in Ha-Masia,” they said.