Rooted in Tradition: The Guardians of Mpondoland’s Cannabis Legacy
For generations, rural farmers in the Eastern Cape’s Mpondoland region have cultivated indigenous Cannabis landraces—strains revered for their high THC content and deep cultural significance. These farmers are more than growers; they are custodians of genetic heritage, sustaining livelihoods while preserving a botanical legacy intertwined with their identity. As South Africa inches toward cannabis legalization, their role is pivotal in ensuring equitable access to the industry’s economic potential. But a new corporate project has cast uncertainty over their future, sparking fierce resistance.
The R1 Billion Hemp Project: Hope or Threat?
Local company Medigrow recently launched a massive R1 billion initiative in the Eastern Cape, promising to supply hemp seeds to 28 rural farmers. The project, centered around a 10,000-hectare facility in the Coega Special Economic Zone, includes imported equipment worth R30 million and plans to produce CBD/THC extracts, pre-rolls, and packaging—all for export.
But questions loom:
- Is this truly an “indoor cultivation project” for rural farmers, or a corporate-controlled operation?
- How will cross-pollination between low-THC hemp and high-THC landraces be prevented?
- Why are products exclusively for export, rather than uplifting local economies?
Medigrow claims licensing support for participating farmers, but skepticism runs deep.
“No Hemp in Mpondoland”: Farmers Accuse Betrayal
The Mpondoland Cannabis Belt Association (MCBA) has erupted in outrage, accusing the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA) of violating the Lusikisiki Agreement—a pact designed to protect local Cannabis practices. Just weeks after its signing, Medigrow’s hemp seed distribution began without community consultation.
Malombo Dlamini, MCBA spokesperson, declares:
“There shall be no hemp in Mpondoland. This is a betrayal. Our landraces are not just crops—they are our history.”
Farmers fear pollen drift from hemp could destroy their prized strains, destabilizing both their livelihoods and a genetic treasure passed down for centuries.
A Clash of Visions: Heritage vs. Corporate Interests
The conflict reflects broader tensions between Indigenous farmers and private-sector partnerships. Activists like Gareth Prince of the Cannabis Development Council of SA condemn the project as “apartheid Cannabis mentality,” arguing that legacy growers are being sidelined for profit-driven ventures.
Key grievances include:
- Genetic Erosion: Cross-pollination risks diluting landraces’ unique THC profiles.
- Economic Exclusion: Export-focused models bypass local empowerment.
- Cultural Disrespect: Decisions imposed without community input.
MCBA members are now mobilizing to confront farmers who accepted Medigrow’s seeds, raising fears of escalating tensions.
Farmers Demand a Seat at the Table
The Eastern Cape’s rural growers are not anti-development—they seek recognition. As one farmer put it:
“We’ve kept this industry alive through prohibition. Now they want to hand it to outsiders?”
Organizations like Fields of Green for ALL amplify these concerns, advocating at the UN for Indigenous intellectual property rights under the GRATK Treaty. Their message is clear: Sustainable legalization must center the people who nurtured Cannabis culture long before corporations arrived.
The Path Forward: Can Equity Bloom?
The standoff in Mpondoland underscores a critical question: Will South Africa’s Cannabis reforms uplift its rural pioneers, or repeat histories of marginalization?
What’s needed now:
- Transparent dialogue between farmers, government, and companies.
- Policies protecting landrace genetics from industrial hemp.
- Revenue-sharing models that prioritize community benefit.
As the Eastern Cape becomes a battleground for Cannabis equity, the world watches—will tradition be preserved, or plowed under?