On paper a picture of success is painted as regards the progress made with projects of the Department of Agriculture and Land Reform. In reality, however, the picture looks drastically different. In one instance, the government supplied cabbage farmers with tools needed to cultivate potatoes.
The truth is that most agricultural projects fail in spite of the wonderful progress reports that project managers present to Members of Parliament. This raises the question of whether some of the officials, who are probably lining their pockets with money earmarked for the projects, are presenting a false image of success to Parliament.
Thus, on-site visits that form part of parliamentary oversight are of the utmost importance to determine what really happens to the millions of rand of tax money that is spent on these projects. It offers a reality that differs greatly from the one of seemingly endless presentations in committee chambers.
The Ndumo Farmer Production Support Unit is a shining example of these misrepresentations, as the oversight committee found out on its recent visit to KwaZulu Natal. On paper, it is a good project. Even the photos showed success.
However, upon closer inspection it became clear that a false image was created. The farmers are cultivating cabbages, but they received tools used to plant, harvest, clean and package potatoes. The access to markets that they were promised also did not realise.
That is but one of the hundreds of projects implemented and funded by the Department and it serves as proof that Parliament's Sector Oversight Model is failing because on-site visits are not conducted. Mere reports on performance information are not enough. Meeting paper targets without meeting quality requirements will not improve the situation.
A visit to border municipalities also revealed that their so-called 'red line fencing' is in a poor condition even though the Department was adamant that these fences are adequate and well maintained.
This raises another disconcerting question: does KwaZulu Natal's future hold something similar to the foot-and-mouth disease epidemic in Limpopo?
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