Mohale’s Hoek, March13 — Following a five day training of Herders who received ten Ewes and a Ram courtesy of Prime Minister’s Office around 2020 and 2021, Cabinet’ s Permanent Secretary Mr. Thabo Moleko says the responsibility of the office is to offer unwavering support to the Herders who are looking after their livestock day in and day out.
Mr. Moleko stated this when officially closing the training which was aimed at following up progress made by Herders since receiving livestock and equipping them on various issues like livestock nutrition, feeding during breeding season and pregnancy, and nutrition for mohair production among others, however the latter acknowledged challenges which herders encounter like animal diseases but noted they are doing a great job regardless.
He further pointed out that for animals to reproduce more and look healthier, all they need is a passionate Herder, ” I am certain that some of you no longer want to be here because you are still worrying about what is happening at your various cattle posts”, he added.
In conclusion, Mr. Moleko assured the Herders that an arrangement would be made for Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane to meet all of them so that he gets to see for himself how immensely many of them have increased their livestock.
On the other hand, Director Poverty Reduction Programme Mrs. ‘Maliteboho Ratiea pointed out that the office had expected about hundred and seventeen herders, but eighty-three showed up, a number the latter acknowledged as being satisfactory as it represents more than half of the beneficiaries.
Mrs. Ratiea stated that beneficiaries are from all Community councils from Mafeteng, Mohale’s Hoek, Qacha’s Nek, Thaba-Tseka, Quthing and Semonkong respectively, and they are from the vulnerable communities who were identified with assistance from chiefs and villagers during public gatherings, pointing out that the Poverty Reduction Programme is an initiative aimed at alleviating poverty and enhancing livelihoods of vulnerable communities.
When speaking on behalf of the participants, Tumisang Ramookho from Taung, appreciated the Prime Minister’s office by noting they were just herders whom everybody looked down upon, but now they are proud owners of livestock making their own money.
Ramookho further indicated that there was one topic during the training which touched their hearts; about livestock diseases, noting that they realised that all of them were curing diseases instead of preventing them, sometimes leading to a loss of their livestock.
Furthermore, Lebohang Ramaketjane from Semonkong and Moalosi Nkaki from Taung who are currently proud owners of forty-five, and thirty-seven sheep respectively, applauded the Prime Minister’s office for bringing such developments into their lives.
End/MAMO/tl
