​The Gauteng Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment MEC Mbali Hlophe says the two departments will use agriculture to improve capacity and address food shortages to empower the most vulnerable people in the province.
Hlophe was speaking during a media briefing at the Department of Economic Development, Umnotho House in Marshalltown, Johannesburg on Tuesday.

She said, “Our work in combating poverty is driven by the GCR Anti-Poverty Strategy which aims to eliminate urban hunger and inequality. It also aims to ensure the social inclusion of the marginalised, connect the poor and vulnerable to economic opportunities, as well as to combat hunger and food insecurity.”

“These initiatives aim to increase the agricultural skills of those who are extremely poor, primarily women and young people. Beneficiaries targeted are unemployed people who reside in peri-urban areas, in utter poverty, and who depend heavily on social assistance as a means of subsistence,” said Hlophe.

She added that building entrepreneurship amongst participants is the programme's main objective, as government seeks to build a nation where everyone actively participates towards a collective development.

“The project's goal is to create further primary and secondary co-operatives with financially sound members, who are no longer reliant on social support. The execution of this project contributes to South Africa's current anti-poverty strategy and emphasises sustainable livelihoods,” Hlophe said .

This comes after newly sworn in Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi indicated that government cannot adequately celebrate its democracy and freedom if poverty and unemployment continue to plague the nation.