Agriculture Portfolio Committee Statement on the donation of Cattle for COVID-19

23 May 2020

Embargo: For Immediate Release

Attention: News/Assignment Editors, Political Reporters, Reporters

From: KZN Legislature Communications Unit

RE: AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE WELCOMES DONATION OF CATTLE TO NEEDY FAMILIES HIT HARD BY COVID-19

KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development has welcomed the donation of a herd of cattle by the African Farmers Association (AFASA) and the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The donated cattle will be slaughtered and parcels of meat will be distributed to needy families throughout the province who are hardest hit by the COVID-19.

AFASA donated 30 cattle whilst the department donated 40. Yesterday AFASA delivered 23 of their donation in CEDARA and an additional seven cattle will be delivered in the next few days.

Portfolio Committee Chairperson Honourable Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha has commended AFASA for its gesture.

She said the gesture was a true spirit of Ubuntu especially because the small scale farmers including those who are members of AFASA were also hit very hard by the pandemic but that didn’t stop them from extending a helping hand.

“We call on other businesses to take a cue from AFASA and extend a helping hand to our needy communities. Government cannot do it alone. Private sector has a huge role to play. We encourage other business people to come forward and assist in the efforts of lessening the impact of the virus,” said Sibhidla-Saphetha.

Ends

Issued by the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Hon NN Sibhidla-Saphetha Cell No: 0833013622.