Online Reporter
Dorothy N Sithole
INSIZA North Ward 23 Shadow Councillor Cde Sikhanyisiwe Nkomo has donated 300 kilogrammes of barbed wire to Albany Farm in Insiza North to help farmers strengthen biosecurity measures and protect their cattle from January Disease, which has caused significant livestock losses in the district.
The donation was made on Monday following a request from farmers made a week earlier. Cde Nkomo arranged for representatives from Albany Farm to collect the fencing material from Eclipse Mine 2 and also covered fuel costs to transport the barbed wire from a location about 25 kilometres away to Shangani. The fencing material had been purchased approximately 100 kilometres away, with all transport costs met by Cde Nkomo.
The donation was received by four representatives from Albany Farm led by Farm Chairman Cde Edward Mutsimba and Vice-Chairman Cde Aclison Ncube.
The 300kg of barbed wire will be used to erect a security fence to prevent healthy cattle from mixing with herds affected by January Disease. Cde Nkomo also pledged to provide additional rolls of barbed wire once the current consignment has been fully utilised.
Albany Farm, which is situated about 25 kilometres south-west of Shangani Business Centre in Ward 23, was subdivided into plots under the Land Reform Programme.
The intervention follows reports of heavy cattle losses to January Disease across Insiza North. The Shangani Veterinary team, led by Mr Mandlenkosi Mathiyane, advised farmers to secure their grazing areas to minimise contact between infected and uninfected animals.
According to veterinary officials, January Disease is spread by brown ear ticks and is characterised by symptoms including dizziness, excessive salivation, swollen lymph nodes, loss of appetite and watery eyes. Farmers have also been urged to maintain regular dipping programmes to control tick infestations.
Cde Mutsimba said the donation had come at a critical time.
“We are so worried about this disease. As Albany farmers, we were advised by the Shangani Veterinary team to secure our own territory so that our cows do not mix with affected herds,” he said.
“The veterinary doctors taught us that maintaining our security fence is key so that infected and uninfected animals do not meet.”
Cde Ncube said the new fence would significantly improve the farm’s biosecurity.
“This security barbed wire fence will prevent our livestock from meeting those from Shangani Heights. The fence will run from the Dhlodhlo ruins, pass along Dandasi, and stop at Musekiwa Farm,” he said.
Speaking after receiving the donation, Cde Mutsimba expressed gratitude to Cde Nkomo.
“We are extremely happy and truly blessed by this agape kind of love we received.
Where on earth can you find such a virtuous woman, a Proverbs 31 woman, with great wisdom and great care for her neighbours?
She is one in a million. Thank you so much, MaNkomo, for what you have done for us.
She even promised to add more rolls of barbed wire once we finish these.”
Cde Ncube added:
“I am really shocked by the hospitality our Shadow Councillor has shown.
I have never come across this kind of leadership.”
Residents said the donation had renewed hope within the farming community and that work to erect the fence would begin immediately to ensure the farm is fully secured before the peak of the tick season, thereby protecting the remaining cattle from further losses.
