02 Oct 2013

For thousands of years, donkeys have been mankind’s best labour partner as they are the natural beasts of burden.

In many countries around the world and in many situations, terrains and conditions, they are used as a favourite mode of transportation. Mr Oleyo Mokwena , organiser of Barolong Donkey Derby said donkeys have a reputation for stubbornness due to their highly developed sense of self preservation.He said in most cases, donkeys are more of all-terrain animals than horses.

“Donkeys are in fact a highly intelligent animal despite popular misconceptions about them,” he said in an interview. To cite an example, Mr Mokwena said, they master their route and in most instances, they will not allow you to branch from their normal route to a new point until they reach the usual destination, from which one can now derail them.

“They have an incredible memory and can recognise areas and other donkeys they were with up to 25 years ago,” said Mr Mokwena.

He said it is difficult to force or frighten a donkey into doing something it sees as opposing its own best interest or safety. “Donkeys are more independent in their thinking than horses and will reason, then make decisions to abide or revolt basing on their safety and security,” he said. Training a donkey, he said, relies upon showing them by words and action that they can trust you for protection from harm as they learn what we want them to do.

He said donkeys do not like being kept on their own although a single donkey will live quite happily with goats adding that herd will choose the strongest donkey to be their leader. “Donkeys are often a salvation to families in many regions of the world as they help with fetching water, fire wood, land cultivation and transportation of produce from farms,” he said.

Mr Mokwena noted that donkeys are used as guard animals for cattle, sheep and goats since they have a natural hatred to predators and will keep them away from the group. Headman of Pitsane, Kgosi Oagile Kepadisa urged residents of Borolong to tame donkeys for a better purpose noting that during their time, donkeys were reared for ploughing, pulling donkey cart and for ridding.

Kgosi Kepadisa said nowadays, there is no donkey that does all the errands except roaming around the village causing accidents and damaging property. ENDS