As the dry weather conditions persist, veld fires have been a continuous torment for farmers in the Impendle district in KwaZulu-Natal, leaving most livestock farmers without grazing land.
Reginald Molefe, a small-scale farmer in Stoffelton in KwaZulu-Natal, said since the beginning of the veld fire season, he has lost four cows which have impacted his operations. He said farmers have to dig deep in their pockets to sustain their operations.
Detailing the devastating situation he finds himself in, Molefe said the financial loss he has to endure because of veld fires, is extremely unbearable. “We are in serious trouble. I do not know what we need to do anymore,” he said.
Molefe said farmers who rely on their livestock for a living had been experiencing ravaging veld fires in the past three weeks, causing livestock to die due to malnutrition and this has been a yearly problem unattended by the government.
“If we cannot afford hay for a day to feed our livestock, there is little that we can do to keep our operations as farmers going.”
He said the burning of items by community members could be the biggest contributor to the wildfires.
“People in our area are being reckless and this has led to veld fire incidents in the area skyrocketing. As farmers, we are struggling because we do not have enough money to buy feed for our animals,” he said.
ALSO READ: EI Niño, load shedding will fan the flames of veld fires
Small-scale farmers feeling the burn
According to Molefe, the fires in the area have affected about 10 to 15 farmers so far. He said the fires mostly start overnight leading into the following morning and spreading to other areas.
“We are small-scale farmers and we are trying so hard to make a business and this happens. Currently, it is winter and it’s dry and this is really affecting us. It is a real problem. Our cattle are dying daily because there is no pasture for them to graze and eat, especially the younger ones,” said Molefe.
He explained that although he managed to buy hay a few times, he has not been able to consistently feed his cattle, which has ultimately led to the death of four cows.
“It’s very expensive, costing about R 500 per bale and the cows will eat it once a day and then I will have to buy more the next day, I wish we could get some help, my cows have lost so much weight, it’s a painful sight,” he said.
Veld fires are not new
Mosia Modisani who has been struggling with veld fires in the area for the past three years, told Food For Mzansi that last year, eight of his cows died due to malnutrition.
“We do not have any grazing pastures. The people who are burning the grass cannot be found and we don’t know what to do. This means we need to feed them from our own pocket, we have nothing at all, the grass is burnt out,” he said.
He too, blames the spread of veld fires on recklessness from community members and no one takes responsibility.
“A person who was reckless just does something silly like dropping a cigarette and the fire will spread. This has now become such a norm for us because every year I have to deal with veld fires and my livestock is affected.
“This is hurting my business, really. If I try reaching out to a government authority, there is no response from them,” he added.
He said he wishes the local government could intervene and assist him with building a farm border to protect his fields from burning. In recent incidents, farmers or herders would break down his fence so that their livestock could run into his fields for safety.
“I am trying to get a fence so that when the fires come again, people’s cows do not cross over to my farm. I just need it to border my farm so that the fires don’t spread to my farm also,” he said.
What to do and not do
Meanwhile, chairman of the Northwest Umbrella Fire Protection Association Eric Stoch explained that North West has seen a rise in veld fires resulting in a code red veld fire warning from the Fire Danger Index (FDI). This indicates an extremely high risk of wildfires. During this period, the utmost caution is advised.
Stoch lists a ‘do’ and ‘don’t’ list for local community members and farmers to follow:
Do’s:
- Do NOT make fires: It is strictly prohibited to light fires in open areas, fields, or vegetation.
- Report fires promptly: If you see any signs of fire, please report it immediately to local authorities.
- Stay vigilant: Keep an eye out for any potential fire hazards and report them immediately.
- Report suspicious activity: If you notice any suspicious activity that could lead to fires, report it promptly.
- Ensure firefighting equipment is ready: All firefighting equipment must be serviced and ready for immediate dispatch at a moment’s notice.
- No smoking in open areas: Refrain from smoking in grassy or forested areas. Avoid machinery use: Refrain from using machinery that could spark fires.
Don’ts:
- Don’t light fires: Lighting fires during this time can lead to uncontrollable wildfires. Don’t discard cigarette butts: Do not discard cigarette butts in open areas.
- Avoid activities with sparks: Refrain from welding, grinding, or other activities that produce sparks.
- No unauthorised burning: Do not burn trash, leaves, or other materials. No burning of veld or any block burns.
“Your safety and that of the community and the protection of our environment are of the utmost importance. Please adhere to these guidelines strictly to prevent the outbreak and spread of wildfires. People and animals may die,” he cautioned.
ALSO READ: Investment Conference: ‘Solve power crisis first’
Sign up for Mzansi Today: Your daily take on the news and happenings from the agriculture value chain.
