Western Cape Farmers Donate Drought Relief for Northern Cape and North West | Western Cape Government

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Western Cape Farmers Donate Drought Relief for Northern Cape and North West

30 December 2013

Gerrit van Rensburg, Western Cape Minster of Agriculture and Rural Development announced that Western Cape farmers will donate drought relief animal feed for farmers in the drought-stricken Northern Cape and North West provinces.

Van Rensburg said Western Cape farmers experienced good harvests the last couple of years, and would like to assist in the areas where farmers are battling for the survival of their livestock. “We have an abundance of hay to donate, but transporting it in large quantities has been the problem.”

Van Rensburg said he contacted Transnet in this regard, and was extremely grateful when they indicated their assistance. “Transnet has pledged to make a train available which would collect donations at towns such as Swellendam, Caledon, Malmesbury and Porterville.

Transnet will then transport the animal feed free of charge to the drought-stricken areas.” Agricultural organisations, such as Agri-Western Cape, are currently liaising with its members in this regard, and Van Rensburg also invites all Western Cape farmers and farmers’ organisation to become involved in this initiative. “We want to finalise the logistics in January, and hopefully aid will arrive late January in the two provinces”.

Media Enquiries: 

Wouter Kriel
Cell: 079 694 3085
E-mail: wouter.kriel@westerncape.gov.za