The Mahlabathini farming community, outside Highflats within Johannes Phumani Local Municipality could not hold back their tears following the arrival of the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for the Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, at Mziki Community Hall on 25 March 2026. Her oversight visit was part of Operation Sukuma Sakhe led by Premier, Mr Thamsanqa Ntuli.
The emotional scenes reflected appreciation and renewed hope among residents, particularly young subsistence farmers, many of whom have been grappling with challenges such as food insecurity, unemployment and crime such as stock theft.
kaMadlopha-Mthethwa handed over farming implements and tools to this farming community.
One of the programme beneficiaries - Ms Maphili Mhlongo thanked the Department for its continued support. She committed to using the tools and implements provided to improve her food production while making agriculture fashionable.
“It's a big day for us. The promise by the MEC gives us hope. I am committed to leading by example among my peers and I will keep on motivating to engage in agriculture," she said
Accompanied by a delegation of senior government officials, MEC kaMadlopha-Mthethwa urged the youth to engage in agricultural activities as they are the future of the sector.
As part of the visit, the MEC also conducted an oversight inspection at Nhlambamasoka Dip Tank following the successful rollout of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccination Campaign. This intervention forms part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to curb the spread of FMD in the province.
MEC kaMadlopha-Mthethwa has urged all livestock farmers to play an active role in maintaining animal health by ensuring that livestock is vaccinated according to prescribed schedules, regularly taking livestock to dip tanks for parasite control and reporting any unusual symptoms or sudden deaths immediately.
“As a Department, part of our strategy to curb the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the Province includes conducting follow-up visits after vaccination campaigns to assess the effectiveness of our interventions. Through our Veterinary Services team, we are
committed to ensuring that no new cases are reported. We therefore call upon all livestock farmers to comply with all prescribed biosecurity measures and cooperate fully with Veterinary officials to safeguard the health of livestock across the Province”, said MEC kaMadlopha-Mthethwa.
The Mahlabathini farming community, outside Highflats within Johannes Phumani Local Municipality could not hold back their tears following the arrival of the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for the Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, at Mziki Community Hall on 25 March 2026. Her oversight visit was part of Operation Sukuma Sakhe led by Premier, Mr Thamsanqa Ntuli.
The emotional scenes reflected appreciation and renewed hope among residents, particularly young subsistence farmers, many of whom have been grappling with challenges such as food insecurity, unemployment and crime such as stock theft.
kaMadlopha-Mthethwa handed over farming implements and tools to this farming community.
One of the programme beneficiaries - Ms Maphili Mhlongo thanked the Department for its continued support. She committed to using the tools and implements provided to improve her food production while making agriculture fashionable.
“It's a big day for us. The promise by the MEC gives us hope. I am committed to leading by example among my peers and I will keep on motivating to engage in agriculture," she said
Accompanied by a delegation of senior government officials, MEC kaMadlopha-Mthethwa urged the youth to engage in agricultural activities as they are the future of the sector.
As part of the visit, the MEC also conducted an oversight inspection at Nhlambamasoka Dip Tank following the successful rollout of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccination Campaign. This intervention forms part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to curb the spread of FMD in the province.
MEC kaMadlopha-Mthethwa has urged all livestock farmers to play an active role in maintaining animal health by ensuring that livestock is vaccinated according to prescribed schedules, regularly taking livestock to dip tanks for parasite control and reporting any unusual symptoms or sudden deaths immediately.
“As a Department, part of our strategy to curb the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the Province includes conducting follow-up visits after vaccination campaigns to assess the effectiveness of our interventions. Through our Veterinary Services team, we are
committed to ensuring that no new cases are reported. We therefore call upon all livestock farmers to comply with all prescribed biosecurity measures and cooperate fully with Veterinary officials to safeguard the health of livestock across the Province”, said MEC kaMadlopha-Mthethwa.
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