By BAKANG MOKOTO
Over 80 000 hectares of land have been destroyed by the fire in Ganyesa and other parts of Northern Cape. The hectares of agriculture were destroyed following runaway veld fires that started last week.
The chairperson of Tsa Bophirima Farming Corporation, Tebogo Mokgejane said, farmers have lost most of their grazing camps and livestock due to the uncontrollable veld fires.
“Some of Tsa Bophirima farmers are affected and it is a great loss to us as well. The effect of these fires will have a significant bearing on our livestock production program. We sympathise with all affected farmers and we would like to call upon our government to assist them.
“We also urge the government to assist with firefighting equipment and prevention programs. We would like to send our sincere appreciation to everyone who assisted in extinguishing these fires since Thursday and all support provided,” he said.
Mokgejane further said, they saw people as far as Wolmaranstad, Taung, Vryburg, and Kuruman flocking into the affected areas around Ganyesa and offering assistance. He added that farmers will overcome this turbulence like many other farming challenges they faced.
“Let us not be demoralised as we have a great responsibility for food production and security. As difficult as it is, let’s soldiers on and we also appeal to the public to help us prevent these fires by avoiding deliberate fire setting, children playing with matches, improper household ashes disposal, smoking, and throwing cigarettes on and near the dry veld,” said Mokgejane.
North West Premier, Bushy Maape said as part of ongoing efforts by his government to contain fires ravaging various parts of the province, they have deployed three helicopters and one spotter to battle the runaway fires. Maape said this was done in collaboration with Working on Fire.
“The team arrived on 13 October 2022 and six fire teams Working on Fire from Limpopo, Free State, and Mpumalanga provinces are also part of that. The government is monitoring the situation and will on a continuous basis, provide updates to affected areas,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Agriculture and Rural Development is set to meet with the North West chairperson, Bitsa Lenkopane said: “We have learned with sadness about the devastating veld fire that has burnt down over 80 000 hectares of grazing land in the Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality areas and other parts of the Northern Cape.
“Fence lines, poles, kraals, and six water sources such as pipes and water tanks were damaged by the fire. We appeal to the NWPG to move with speed in containing veld fires as this will result in an increased loss of agricultural produce, reduced availability of food for both humans and animals, a reduced growth rate of vegetation, and threatening livelihoods.
“Most importantly, the committee pleads with the government and civil society to assist farmers with food for livestock. Most farmers use grass to feed their livestock, which has been affected by the fire.”
The Guardian 