15 Jan 2023

Residents of Tshesebe and Mawana have been commended for containing Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in their area.

Area MP and Minister of Education and Skills Development, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe commended residents during kgotla meetings in the two villages.

He said after residents were informed about the outbreak of FMD in their area, including measures that government intended to take in order to control the disease, they never thought of relocating their livestock to FMD free zones.

He said although they were complaining about the small compensation per beast, they kept hold of their livestock until the area was declared free from FMD.

“If the disease was allowed to spread across the country, it would have been expensive to contain,” Dr Letsholathebe said, adding that the disease had a recurrence after 10 years.

He urged them to take care of their cattle by adhering to instructions from government and veterinary officers. He also urged residents to tag their livestock and to maintain a register of immunization and feeding as they were a requirement at international markets.

On the issue of using mother languages in schools, Dr Letsholathebe said the idea was to allow for explanations to be done in ones mother language for better understanding.

He said it would start with reception classes up to Standard Three, adding that it would help learners to express themselves in class.

The Village Development Committee chairperson, Mr Daniel Moipolai said there was no proper consultation on compensation of their livestock if taken away.

Mr Moipolai requested that livestock ear tags be given to farmers free of charge as they were expensive.

He said most families depended on cattle to meet their needs and to buy school uniform for their children and that government should fill the gap left by cattle. ENDS