INSANGU DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
EMPOWERMENT PARTNER OF THE CANNACLUB & GROWERS CO-OP

1. What is the Insangu Development Corporation Initiative?

The Insangu Development Corporation Initiative is a rapid economic transformation initiative brought forward by leaders of the Rastafarian community as assisted by the Members & the Management Committee of The CannaClub. This Initiative has been developed over the past 5 years and was founded and is managed by Ras Ruben Andrews (Chair person - Bitou House of Rastafari, Owner of The Insangu Development Corporation, Lecturer for Cheeba Cannabis Academy, and a founder of the House of Rastafari Growers Co-Op) in his personal & private capacity, as a vehicle for rapid transformation of both the Rastafarian community as well as the local township economies.

 

2. What are the goals of the Insangu Development Corporation Initiative?

The goals of the Insangu Development Corporation Initiative is to establish & develop Black owned Social Cannabis Clubs, Black Growers, and Black owned Regional Hubs in line with the National Cannabis Master Plan and for the Western Cape region of South Africa to act as a model region from where this model may be amended / expanded into other regions & areas. Especially the Rastafarian community can not be excluded from the rapid advancements in the Cannabis industry.  They cannot be excluded from having Clubs and cultivation opportunities purely on the basis of not having the financial means to comply with existing models as have been the case in Apartheid South Africa. The Insangu Development Corporation Initiative is to ensure inclusion & rapid transformation of the Rastafarian community as well as the local township economies with regards to existing establishments in these communities which can act as Insangu Social Cannabis Clubs in a mutually inclusive agreement, such as that provided by The Insangu Development Corporation Initiative.

 

3. How does the Initiative plan to achieve these goals?

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a. To define, setup, and place in operation a model and proof of concept project in Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape on the Garden Route. This will include small contract growers from the Rastafarian community with a minimum of 3 Insangu Social Cannabis Clubs, envisaged to open in Plettenberg Bay alone during 2022. 

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b. To align this model with existing models such as existing international standards (GAP - Good Agricultural Practices) , ENCOD based Clubs, or Clubs as based on various models which currently exist in South Africa such as those proposed by Fields of Green for All, Cradlestoned Quality Solutions and by Grow One Africa over a time period of say 5 years to allow inclusion for black entrepreneurs and farmers. 

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c. To rapidly expand this project by using the same model or improved version.​

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4. What are the short / medium term direct benefits for communities?

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a. First off, existing growers can obtain small grow contracts from The Insangu Development Corporation. This contract is to grow a maximum of 2 plants per member as part of TIDC Members' Stokvel stock. Should a grower be successful, such a grower would be able to obtain a larger contract and in this manner be able to expand. It is worthy of noting that high value strains in both seeds and clones are donated by The CannaClub in support of this effort. 

 

b. The local economy (Township economy) will benefit by having Insangu Private Social Clubs.  The social aspects of such a club can not be underestimated, as well as the intrinsic value of keeping money in circulation in the township (Growers, Club Owners & Members).

 

c. Currently black growers and Club Owners are excluded from this emerging economy since they do not have the space, security, and in general the finances to conform to existing models. Communities like the House of Rastafari has been carrying the flag & spear for Cannabis for decades and they simply can not be excluded purely on the basis of historic imbalances once again excluding them.

 

d. Regional benefits. In line with the Government Master Plan and in conjunction with local government & municipalities, The Insangu Development Corporation intends to establish Regional Hubs where growers' products can be tested, classed, processed, dried, cured & packaged. The Insangu Development Corporation intends to approach Government and private sectors with regards to funding these once the concept has been proven as earlier mentioned. The Bitou Municipality is in negotiations with the Bitou: House of Rastafari, regarding this as a trial region.

 

e. National benefits. This model is intended to be expanded throughout South Africa and Africa.