Veld fire season is yet again proving to be a problematic period for North West farmers as they battled ravaging fires that have claimed the lives of livestock and burnt hectares of grazing land in the province.
A farmer has lost his life in Ganyesa in North West trying to protect his livestock against the wildfire that has ravaged the area.
North West Umbrella Fire Protection Association (NWUFPA) chairman Eric Stoch said the farmer who lost his life was a fearless individual trying to secure his livelihood.
Paying tribute to a selfless farmer
“It is with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to a man who embodied courage, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to his responsibilities as a farmer and guardian of the land.
“His actions remind us that the spirit of a protector runs deep within us, urging us to rise above adversity and stand strong for what we hold dear,” he said.
Food For Mzansi has been supplied by videos and pictures of farmers running for their lives unable to put out the fire in the veld while animals stood helpless.
Code red warning issued
According to NWUFPA, the province has seen a sharp rise in the number of veld fires in the past few days necessitating a code red warning being issued.
Although NWUPFA could not give the number of veld fire cases that they had to deal with over the few days, Stoch said the situation was severe.
“Additionally, we would appreciate your support in arranging accommodation in case an overnight stay is necessary.
“Considering the nature of this emergency response, we believe it would greatly benefit the situation if Pilanesburg National Park could cover the fuel costs and expenses related to the incident command team. Your support in this matter would contribute significantly to the success of our fire suppression efforts,” Stoch said in a letter written to the North West government.
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