Mantusini Dairy Farm collapse leaves community in despair! A dairy farm project in Mantusini Village, near Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape, has collapsed, leaving residents devastated and empty-handed.
The R43 million initiative, launched in 2016 by the Eastern Cape government in partnership with private investors, was intended to create jobs and stimulate local economic growth. However, what was once a beacon of hope has now become a symbol of failed land reform and alleged corruption.
Community Promised Cows and Income
Beneficiaries were each allocated two cows — one for daily milk production and another intended for long-term financial support, such as covering university fees for their children. “It was very beautiful,” recalled resident Mzwandile Sbonda.
Mantusini Dairy Farm
“We used to fill up tanks with milk daily.” Despite this, residents say they never received any financial returns and were simply told the milk was being sent to East London.
Downfall Amid Natural Disasters and Mismanagement
The project’s decline accelerated after the 2019 floods and a mysterious disease that killed many cows. Private investors withdrew, and tensions within the community boiled over. Frustrated residents vandalised the farm, which has since been stripped of fencing, equipment, and functional infrastructure.
Calls for Accountability
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for a formal investigation into the mismanagement of the project. Meanwhile, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane stated he is still awaiting an official report to understand what went wrong.
Freedom Charter Anniversary Overshadowed
As South Africa commemorates 70 years of the Freedom Charter, the abandoned Mantusini dairy farm stands as a stark reminder of unfulfilled promises and the urgent need for accountability in land reform projects.
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