Matatiele is a region rich in natural beauty, agricultural potential, and economic opportunity. However, despite its strategic importance, it remains hindered by infrastructural decline, lack of government support, and economic stagnation.
Recently, MPL Retief Odendaal and I conducted oversight visits in and around Matatiele, engaging with local herdsmen and community members.
The Drakensberg mountains provided a stunning backdrop, but beneath the surface, the region is grappling with significant challenges, including deteriorating roads that restrict access to markets for farmers and businesses, unpaid contractors leading to stalled projects and incomplete infrastructure, a lack of oversight resulting in inefficiency and mismanagement, and limited government support for farmers despite agriculture’s immense potential.
Yet, Matatiele has everything needed to become a thriving agricultural and economic hub. With investment in infrastructure, sustainable farming initiatives, and proper governance, we can unlock real growth that benefits farmers, local businesses, and the broader economy.
Instead of simply highlighting the challenges, we are actively working towards solutions. That is why we are engaging Minister John Steenhuisen’s office to explore opportunities for a structured agricultural and economic development project in the Eastern Cape.
We envision a multi-phase project that includes improving agricultural infrastructure to help farmers access markets efficiently, investing in sustainable farming initiatives that create jobs and drive economic resilience, focusing on road and transport development to ensure the movement of goods and people, and collaborating with stakeholders, from farmers to investors, to build a self-sustaining agricultural model.
With the right partnerships and political will, Matatiele can transition from a struggling region to a thriving economic contributor. This is not just about oversight; it is about action.
We look forward to working with Minister Steenhuisen’s office and other key stakeholders to drive meaningful change and ensure that Matatiele, and the broader Eastern Cape, reaches its full potential.