Hon. Minister Mandla Tshawuka Profile

The Minister of Agriculture, Honourable Mandla Tshawuka, has rich experience in the agriculture sector, having begun his career in 1987.

Honourable Tshawuka began his career with the then Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation (RSSC) in Simunye as a Graduate Trainee in Crop Production and balance in Workshops. This would be the start of a long career with the company now known as the Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation (RES). In 1993, he became a Workshop Foreman, a role he held until 1997 when he was made Assistant Harvesting Manager. In 1998, Honourable Tshawuka was promoted to Harvesting Manager, holding that role until 2001.

That year, the Honourable Minister became Technical Services Manager, a position he held until the following year, when he was made Operations Manager. In 2004, he took up yet another managerial post within RSSC, this time as Operations and Services Manager. In 2006, he held the role of Acting Agricultural Manager- Services. The following year, Honourable Tshawuka was made General Manager/CEO of Mananga Sugar Packers, a role he held for a year, until 2008. That year, the Honourable Minister became Agricultural Manager- Services at RSSC, which would be his last role with the organisation, serving in that role until 2022.

Honourable Tshawuka holds an MSc in Agricultural Engineering from Cranfield University (England), a BSc in Agriculture from the then University of Swaziland (now Eswatini), a Diploma in Road Transport    from Rand Afrikaans University (now University of Johannesburg), a Diploma in Management (Senior Management Development Programme –SMDP) from Stellenbosch University (South Africa), a Diploma in Management         from Wits Technikon (South Africa) as well as a Supervisory Development Program certificate from Wits Technikon (South Africa). He is also a Master of Business (MBA) candidate, having completed his coursework. He also holds various other qualifications in Leadership, Contract Management, Industrial Relations Management, Finance for Non-Financial Managers and Negotiation Skills, among others.

In September 2023, Honourable Tshawuka was elected as Member of Parliament by the people of Mkhiweni Inkhundla. Then, on 13 November 2023, His Majesty King Mswati III appointed Honourable Tshawuka as Minister of Agriculture.

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PRESS STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE, JABULANI C. MABUZA ON FARMING INPUT SUBSIDY PROGRAMME AND

TRACTOR HIRE SERVICES - 28 JULY 2022

 

In preparation for the upcoming ploughing season, the Government of Eswatini through the Ministry of Agriculture is pleased to announce that even this year farmers will get inputs at subsidized rates. The Ministry through the National Maize Corporation (NMC) shall be responsible for the programme. It was not an easy task compared to other years due to the ever escalating prices in the farming inputs markets and fuel caused by armed conflict. However, the Ministry has been able to assist farmers to have access to the required inputs. The Ministry would like to inform the Eswatini farmers and the entire nation that payments for the input subsidy starts on the 1st August 2022. As a result of the high input costs, those who wish to be part of the programme are expected to pay as soon as possible. This is because the closing of payments shall be done when the target has been reached or at the end of October 2022, whichever comes first. The payments shall be done at Eswatini bank and EPTC. The average projected cost for the packages is approximately E14000 for maize, E12000 for beans and E7000 for sorghum. These packages will cover an area equivalent to one hectare. The farmer is expected to contribute 35% and government will contribute the balance of 65%. It is important for farmers to note that this shall only apply to this current season. Next year farmers are expected to contribute the normal 50%. Also, farmers can pay up to 3ha maximum compared to the 1ha maximum that was used in the past years. The prices are as follows: 1. Maize – E4900 (Farmer) and E9100 (Government) 2. Beans – E4200 (Farmers) and E7800 (Government) 3. Sorghum – E2450 (Farmer) and E4550 (Government) As a result of the fuel price increase, the tractor hour will cost E300 from E270. I thank you

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