MEC awards farmers
By Thozi kaManyisana
Nokwanda Booi never expected to walk away with a top prize when she entered the Mbhashe Municipality Ram Competition which is sponsored by the municipality, the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform and private sector partners.
Today, the 49-year-old woman farmer was awarded by DRDAR MEC Nonkqubela Pieters with a superior quality Dohne Merino Ram, a trophy, animal feed and medication after she clichéd top honours at the competition. Being the only woman in the male dominated competition did not deter Booi from entering the competition.
“It was my first time entering the competition and I didn’t expect to win – let alone walking away with a trophy among men. Being involved in sheep farming has changed my life a lot and I’m able to send my children to school and provide for them,” said Booi who started farming in 2016.
The annual competition, which is supported by DRDAR, Mbhashe Local Municipality and private sector partners AfriVet, Zoetis, Talitha, BKB, Umtiza, was initiated by the farmers to encourage one another to buy high quality breed rams.
MEC Pieters said: “These farmers know the importance of having quality rams to improve their flock and we commend them for that – others should follow suit and government will assist them.”
“We are encouraging you to continue with what you are doing,” she said.
Mayor Samkelo Janda thanked the MEC for gracing the event, adding that the Municipality was “working together with the department in livestock development programme.
“What is encouraging about our farmers here is that they don’t wait for government but they buy their own rams. This competition is encouraging other farmers to invest in quality rams instead of waiting for government. The quality rams you see here are an initiative of farmers and they are here to showcase them.
“We want agricultural activities to take a centre stage in our economic development as this Municipality,” he said.
Chairperson of the Mbhashe Farmers Association Phillip Qokweni said the relationship between DRDAR and Municipality is commendable and “we would be ungrateful people if we don’t mention that because it taking us to higher levels. “
He said the cropping programme where DRDAR is assisting farmers to plant maize was also assisting with feed for the sheep.
Other winners who received Dohne Merino rams from the MEC included Buyile Phukuza in the lamb category, Zukile Mpukane in the Merino category, Mthobeli Zokufa in Mutton Merino category as well as Khulasande Holoshe who came 2nd in Dohne Merino category won by Booi.
Two more Dohne Merino rams will be given to cooperatives that will be chosen by DRDAR Mbhashe officials.
MEC Pieters also used the event to pay tribute to the late Dutywa-based businessman, Mthetheleli Ngumbela describing him as a national builder who “so passi