MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe hands over R1.4m Ngonyama Shearing Shed investment
MEC Kontsiwe hands-over R1.4m investment
Not even the heavy rains sweeping across the Eastern Cape Province could dampen the jovial spirits of the Ngonyama Village, community in who came in large numbers to witness the official opening of the Ngonyama Shearing Shed by the MEC for Agriculture, Nonceba Kontsiwe, alongside the Mbashe Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Dr. Samkelo Janda.
The department invested more the R1,4 million to construct the fully-equipped shed with a plunge dipping tank, ablution facilities, office, removable animal handling facilities and fencing.
Formed in 2017, the shed’s association which hass around 48 members comprised of 23 women and 25 males also received 10 Dohne Merino rams from the Department to boost the quality of the wool clip.
In the last shearing season, the farmers sheard 3409 sheep, producing 19 wool bales which were sold to CMW in Gqeberha at a pricetag of R98 342.
Prior to the Department’s investment, the farmers of Masibambisane Woolgrowers Association would travel more than 15km to a shearing shed in Xeni location in another Ward.
The DoA and Mbashe Local Municipality are supporting the shed vaccinations to prevent diseases.
“We are very happy that the government has provided us with a shed. Over the past 9 to 10 years we were using our houses to shear sheep. We are hopeful that using this shed will increase the quality and quantity of wool.
“We are also happy that the youth and women are showing interest in wool production because as an elderly man I want to pass the baton to younger people to continue,” the association’s chairman Mtutuzeli Vayisi said.
He added that the rams provided by the department in 2022 have changed the quality of their flock and they were now producing “good quality wool.”
MEC Kontsiwe encouraged farmers to continue to produce quality wool, adding that the investment should propel them to become commercial and independent farmers.
“Farmers should grow and be able to export their own wool for even better returns instead of only supplying other people. This structure should encourage you to roll up your sleeves and work for the development of the community and participate in the economic growth of province,” she said.
She called on the community to work with the police to fight stock theft, adding that they should not be afraid to report suspicious activities.
Urging the community to preserve government investment, Mayor Janda said the structure should be utilized for shearing, which brings economic benefits instead of being used for other purposes.
“The community should not convert the Sheds into churches and crèches, you should use the for what they were intended for,” he stressed.
For more information, please contact:
Mr Atule Joka
Cell: 071 688 4231
Anathi Zitshu
Cell: 082 217 7204
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