24 Apr 2020

Farmers in the Ghanzi District have joined forces to ensure that the community does not go hungry during lockdown.

They donated 3 500 bags of potatoes, 500 heads of cabbage, 300 bags (12.5 kg) of maize meal, 100kg chicken, maize corns, onions, bags of rice, six cattle, two goats and two sheep and a load of firewood.

When handing over the donation to the district leadership, Ghanzi Beef Producers Association chairperson, Mr Patrick Matho, said the association together with other producers such as arable and game farmers were devoted to supporting the community.

This, he promised, would not be a once off thing. “We do not know how long the situation is going to last, but will continue to help our community members,” Mr Matho stated.

He appreciated the donors’ support and the cordial relationship between his team and the district leadership.

Ghanzi South former MP and farmer, Mr Christiaan De Graaff, said it was encouraging to see farmers working together in the face of  the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said farmers were devoted to see to it that no member of the community went to bed hungry noting, adding that 'the courage and commitment of farmers is amazing.'

He said they targeted to donate 50-plus carcasses of meat, cattle and game. Mr De Graaff appreciated all the frontline workers and the media for regular COVID-19 updates.

Ghanzi district commissioner, Mr Mooketsi Lesetedi said the donation would come in handy especially to the disadvantaged families.

He said a large number of people in the region depended on government assistance, a situation now worsened by the lockdown, which had adversely affected the informal sector and small businesses.

Kgosi Botshelo Lekgothu of Ghanzi also spoke highly of the humanitarian gesture by farmers and their efforts to assist government. Ends