Comprehensive Information Session Connects Buisplaas Community with Agricultural, Skills, and EPWP Opportunities

Media Release
29 October 2025

The Buisplaas Community Hall near Mossel Bay, yesterday, 28 October 2025, was a hive of activity as the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA), in partnership with the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and the Health and Welfare SETA (HWSETA), hosted an Awareness and Information Session aimed at unlocking local economic opportunities.

The session provided residents of Buisplaas with direct access to key government and sectoral representatives, focusing on agricultural support, skills development, and employment programmes. The event was directed by Evon Mayekiso from the WCDoA.

The WCDoA team, including Jorita Van der Merwe and Ben Booysen, presented in detail about Agricultural Producers Support and Development initiatives, while Dr. Heidi Schlechter provided essential information on VETS animal health care. This information is crucial for local farmers and producers seeking to enhance their operations and maintain healthy livestock.

A significant portion of the session was dedicated to skills and development. Athenkosi Mata, a representative from the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA) encouraged attendees to establish Non-Governmental- (NGO) and Non-Profit Organisations (NPO). Mata further explained that the SETA primarily provides opportunities and funding to registered organisations, not individuals. This highlighted a clear path for community leaders to formalise structures and access broader training funds.

Representatives from the GRDM furthermore outlined immediate opportunities available through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). GRDM’s Androlene Killian detailed that the training focuses, specifically on Law Enforcement Officer training and Early Childhood Development (ECD). In addition, Reginald Salmons, Coordinator of the Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM) and Training Development at GRDM, highlighted the work of the GRSM, noting the recent Drivers License Programme opportunities that were advertised. Salmons on behalf of the GRSM further committed to work closely with the Buisplaas community moving forward.

The WCDoA concluded the session with a vote of thanks, indicating that further engagements and follow-up activities in the Buisplaas area are already being planned.

Describing the initiative, Evon Mayekiso, Programme Director of the event, highlighted that “the engagement we witnessed in Buisplaas was exceptionally positive and it demonstrated a clear appetite for growth and development”. In addition, Mayekiso emphasised: “Our goal is to ensure that every community member understands the support structures available, whether it be for expanding an existing farm, starting a new NPO, or accessing job-readiness training”.

This session marks the beginning of intensified, ongoing collaboration between the Department of Agriculture and the people of Buisplaas.

ENDS