“Why Gqeberha?”
Though the Eastern Cape government has announced bold plans to set up a vibrant cannabis industry, growers in Mpondolandhave accused the authorities of sidelining them.
Mpondoland has long been considered SA’s most prolific cannabis-producing area.
Cannabis growers from the area expressed concern after it was revealed earlier that Medigrow ZA had committed to establishing a processing plant at Coega’s special economic zone (SEZ) which could create 80 full-time jobs and a potential R1bn investment over the next five years.
It was also reported that the 1,000-hectare cultivation target by Medigrow ZA for the 2024 growing season could generate 3,000 jobs.
Medigrow has established 14 medicinal cannabis-cultivating farms across SA.
It was also announced earlier this year that the Eastern Cape government was training agricultural officers to help the budding cannabis project with licences on the way for emerging farmers.
The farmers would then supply a state-of-the-art production facility launched at Coega’s SEZ.
It was hoped the initiative would create a multimillion-rand cannabis sector in the province.
Speaking to the Dispatch during a visit to Eastern Mpondoland acting Queen Nobandla Sigcau’s Ndimakude Great Place in Flagstaff on Tuesday, Mpondoland Cannabis Belt Association leaders expressed unhappiness at what they described as a lack of support from provincial government, despite the region’s rich history in growing the plant, spanning centuries.
The association consists of cannabis and hemp growers from King Sabata Dalindyebo, Nyandeni, Port St Johns, Ingquza Hill, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Ntabankulu municipalities.
Its chair, Malombo Dlamini, said indigenous growers in these local municipalities believed they were being marginalised.
“We feel sidelined when it comes to development. There is no support for us whatsoever.
“We have been trying to get meetings to engage with the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency, but they keep on postponing,” Dlamini said.
“Whenever President [Cyril] Ramaphosa does his State of the Nation address, he references Mpondoland cannabis but what we are seeing now is that they [provincial government] are going to introduce an investor in Gqeberha.
“We are not saying government must not develop Gqeberha, but we want to be prioritised as indigenous cannabis growers.
Dlamini said the Mpondoland growers wanted the government to build them two cannabis processing hubs, one in the OR Tambo district and another in Alfred Nzo.
The two districts have been described as among the country’s poorest.
Dlamini said they were also against the introduction of foreign cannabis and hemp seeds in the Eastern Cape because they believed Mpondoland’s seed was as good as any and wanted the government’s assistance in improving it further.
He said they had decided to introduce the association to the Eastern Mpondoland kingdom to get its backing for their endeavours to set up a cannabis industry in the area.
Dlamini said potential investors were already showing interest in investing in their initiatives.
He said there were possibly more than 10,000 indigenous growers, most of whom were not registered with the association.
The Ingquza Hill Cannabis Growers’ Association’s Thobela Ndindwa said it had more than 300 registered cannabis growers from 32 wards.
He said the association was disappointed that the cannabis industry had failed to take off after so many years.
“I come from Mantlaneni, which is a renowned hub for cannabis production,” Ndindwa said.
“People were arrested and some killed because of it.
“We would be harassed by police, but many people were able to send their children to school using what we call the AmaMpondo gold.
“We know how to grow cannabis and hemp, but it seems government is not interested in listening to us at all.”
Royal family spokesperson Lulama Mkhize said they were excited to work with indigenous growers because the burgeoning cannabis industry could create huge job opportunities for the AmaMpondo people.
Princess Ziyanda Sigcau, younger sister of late Eastern Mpondoland King Zanozuko Sigcau, said her brother had been passionate about employment opportunities for his subjects.
However, she warned that regulating the cannabis industry was crucial.
Dlamini and his executive also visited Magwa Tea Estate in rural Lusikisiki, hoping to get more land for wide-scale cannabis production.
The land on which the estate is built reportedly falls under the Lambasi Communal Property Association.
The association’s secretary, Hambanathi Khumalo, told Dlamini and the other leaders they had already managed to find an investor from Iran who was willing to invest R220m into cannabis production at Magwa.
However, the Lambasi landowners were willing to work with anyone because they had ample vacant land.
Eastern Cape Provincial Government Spokesperson Khuselwa Rantjie said government recognised the historical significance of cannabis cultivation in Mpondoland and its potential for economic growth.
“Our approach to cannabis development is inclusive and multifaceted, supporting small-scale growers and local economic development in Mpondoland and other areas. We welcome investments like Medigrow ZA's R100 million cannabis processing plant in the Coega SEZ, while ensuring equitable benefits for all stakeholders,” said Rantjie.
“To date, 106 farmers have been trained in general hemp primary cultivation, with additional training planned for hemp cultivation practices for textiles and dual crops. However, most farmers lack technical expertise in the primary production of high-value cash crops like medicinal cannabis, whereas Medigrow medicinal cannabis, requires specialised training.
“Intensive training will be provided for black emerging farmers on cultivation, plant care, data collection, harvesting, and storage. The government has issued 159 hemp permits, with more in process.
“We are investing in farm planting preparation and infrastructure to ensure compliance with Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) for primary production of medicinal cannabis flowers.
“The legislative elements and permits around cannabis is guided by national laws and regulations. In his 2023 State of the Province Address, Premier Mabuyane announced plans to establish the province as a major player in the cannabis industry, leveraging its ideal climate and existing farming expertise. He emphasised support for small-scale growers, particularly in Pondoland, and the establishment of cannabis industrial hubs to create jobs and stimulate local economies.
Rantjie said the Premier acknowledged the importance of a clear regulatory framework to govern the cannabis industry, ensuring compliance with national laws and international best practices.
“Our efforts aim to ensure equitable benefits from the cannabis industry, promoting economic diversification, and creating opportunities for all stakeholders. The province is committed to a balanced approach, valuing the contributions of Mpondoland growers while attracting investments and driving economic growth.”
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