The Capespan Group has launched the Capespan Academy to offer a leadership development programme for South African land reform projects.

The initiative has established a partnership with the AgriSeta to focus on mainstreaming and building capacity of previously disadvantaged individuals on land reform projects.

The latter has provided funding of R4.5 million (£345,000) for training over a two- to three-year period.

Abraham Moitse will lead the activities, which kicked off with pilot projects in the Western, Eastern and Northern Capes.

Capespan empowerment executive Angelo Petersen said: “We intend to be a human resource development leader, entrenching the Capespan promise of delivery. Objectives are to reduce the skills gap between management and general workers; develop previously disadvantaged managers; train existing farmers as mentors to aspiring black farmers; and create a human resource model for future land reform projects. Achieving these goals will contribute to enhancing the quality of life and standard of living of farm-working communities.

“Through the academy’s work, Capespan will contribute towards sustainability in farming communities, the industry and the country. Productivity and profitability on the farms will increase and service standards improve further. In short, the programme will add value all round.”

In its first year, the Capespan Academy will serve only those farms in the process of empowering their workers and which are managed by Capespan Farm Management Services, as well as projects administered under the Capespan land reform programme.

The academy offices are based at Applethwaite farm in the Grabouw area of the Western Cape.

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