KZN farmers protest for vaccines ahead of SONA as Foot-and-Mouth outbreak escalates

FARMERS gathered outside Parliament ahead of the State of the Nation Address, demanding urgent action from Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and President Cyril Ramaphosa to secure vaccines against the Foot-and-Mouth disease crisis affecting their livelihoods.

They held placards reading “Mr Steenhuisen, please vaccinate us for Foot-and-Mouth”. 

The protest took place ahead of Ramaphosa’s highly anticipated annual address at Cape Town City Hall this evening.

SONA officially opens Parliament and provides the president with a national platform to outline the government’s priorities for the year ahead.

Protesters, civilians and South Africans with grievances related to the SONA were designated specific areas to stage demonstrations.

Speaking to broadcaster Newzroom Africa, one farmer, Peter, highlighted how the crisis affected them.

“It is something that has caused severe issues within the industry. Both James and I are sons of farmers in KwaZulu-Natal, both from dairy farms,” he said.

“We are probably one of the last farms unaffected. We haven’t got it just yet, but it’s a matter of days until we do. James’s farm has sadly been affected. They do have Foot-and-Mouth Disease. It has been horrific for the industry - for the cows, for the farmers, for the jobs at stake. It’s awful.”

The peaceful protest comes days after Steenhuisen announced that he would not seek re-election as the DA leader at the party’s federal congress in April. 

He said he would withdraw from the leadership contest but remain in his role as the Minister of Agriculture, focusing his efforts on fighting the devastating Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak in the country. 

His department has struggled to contain the spread and farmers are increasingly frustrated.

Peter said they were demanding Steenhuisen secured vaccines.

“We just asked him, Mr Steenhuisen, to secure vaccines and quickly. We understand he has put together a 10-year plan but we need something now,” he said.

“This is, I think, almost too late, but we still need action urgently. It’s not a matter of weeks. We need vaccines within hours. We need them ASAP.”

He added that they hoped their plea would reach not only Steenhuisen but also Ramaphosa.

“Exactly. He’s a cattle owner himself, so we’re wondering if his cows are vaccinated. He’s also at risk. We really ask Mr Ramaphosa and Mr Steenhuisen to get vaccines. As farmers, our hands are tied at the moment. We can’t do anything; we’re waiting on them. It’s a state-controlled disease that isn’t being controlled by them.”

Peter said the impact of the disease had been enormous.

“It’s not just the jobs directly on the farm. All the service providers are affected. On a farm, there are a lot of jobs connected, not just the labourers, but also contractors, mechanics, and everyone linked to a farm,” he said.

“That will be hugely affected down the line. Maybe not in the next week, but if the industry continues to suffer, it will eventually affect a broader sector. That’s a real, real concern.”

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