16 Jul 2024

As a token of appreciation, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has donated a bull to Kgosi Ben Samson of Butale for alerting agriculture officials about the outbreak of a disease in his kraal that turned out to be Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in 2022.

Presenting the bull recently, Minister of Education and Skills Development, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe said the noble gesture demonstrated by Kgosi Samson was beneficial to the country, saying the disease could have spread throughout the district and beyond.

He noted that President Masisi expressed his gratitude to Kgosi Samson during the restocking exercise in Zone 6b in his address and described him ‘as an exemplary leader.’

He said without his prompt action government could not have contained the disease as effectively as it did without spreading to other zones.

Minister Letsholathebe said government succeeded to contain the disease because Kgosi Samson reported his suspicions early, adding that the lesson was to work closely with veterinary officers and to report any unusual symptoms promptly.

He said the Brahman bull would improve the quality of Kgosi Samson’s.  

Dr Letsholathebe said improving the genetics of local cattle would result in a better combination and produce better products.

He encouraged Kgosi Samson to use the bull to his advantage and improve his life, also advising him to sell its semen to other farmers.

On other issues, he noted that some cattle were affected by heart water, but said the disease had since been brought under control.

For his part, Kgosi Samson said the bull would serve the entire community of Butale and urged other farmers to give it care and protection. He added that as the land was dry and water scarce it was important for farmers to give it supplementary feed.

Kgosi Samson also promised to feed and vaccinate the bull as well as other cattle to prevent attacks by diseases and other ailments.

In her welcome remarks, Kgosi Grace Butale urged farmers to report all livestock illnesses to veterinary officers who were stationed in their village.

She thanked government for the compensation that was given to farmers after the depopulation.ENDS