Following a series of veld fires that affected farming areas in the province, the North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono has called on stakeholders in
the agriculture sector to work together with the Department to prevent disaster brought about by veld fires. MEC Mohono has concluded the consultative process with the veld fires-affected farmers. The process which started on Tuesday, 03 October and ended on Wednesday, 04 October 2023 was for farmers in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Bojanala Platinum Districts, respectively, as these are areas that have been hardly hit by the raging veld fires.
A lot of the farming area has been affected resulting in a significant reduction of grazing as well as damage to on-farm infrastructure. The Fire Protection Association of South Africa has recorded at least 243 incidents of veld fires at the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati alone. In this many livestock died, and some farmers and assistants were injured.
Mohono said the consultative process was an attempt by the government to bring about a solution driven approach about the fires that are experienced by farmers in the two districts. “We are aware of the unfortunate recurring incidents of veld fires that have severely affected many farmers across our province. We are doing this consultation to see how best we can help each other. Government has limited resources to carry the remedial process alone. It is therefore imperative that farmers come on board as we try to develop solutions that will not only assist now but are bound to impact positively in a long term,” MEC announced.
MEC said that there needs to be preparation ahead of dry seasons, especially in areas that have been affected before. “Annually veld fires result in disastrous losses of natural grazing, animals, and infrastructure and in some instances loss of human lives. We need thorough preparation so that as this season that is prone to veld fire starts, we are able to respond accordingly, “MEC further urged.
Although the Provincial Disaster Management Centre acknowledged that a recommendation has been made to the National Government to declare both Kagisano Molopo and Bojanala Platinum Districts disaster areas, Mohono said the provincial government and all relevant stakeholders in the province should be prepared to curb veld fire going forward. “We need to be very cautious in our farming area and motivate everyone around to do so. Farm inhabitants and motorists must continue acting wisely when dealing with open fires and when operating machinery or smoking.
These fires start small, but they cause a huge damage,” she further pleaded. After the rapport gathered from the consultative process, and whilst awaiting the National Government state of disaster declaration request, MEC Mohono will engage internally in the
Department to determine available resources that will relieve the affected farmers. The
Department would also engage further and facilitate the firefighting training process.
The farmers in both Districts have welcomed MEC’s assertion that a multisectoral approach is key to curbing veld fires. Mr Mosimanegape Gaasenwe, a farmer in Kagisano Molopo said although they are desperate for an immediate intervention, thorough work needs to be done for farmers not to have the same experience in the future. He said they are willing to work with the government to find long-lasting solutions to incidents of veld fires.
The Department has already delivered firefighting skid units to farmers in the Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipality as part of its effort to combat veld fires.
