Rural Safety Capacity-Building Session Promotes Safety

Story: Samkelo Fetile | Photo: Samkelo  Fetile

A Rural Safety Capacity-Building Session was recently held in Steynsburg, bringing together stakeholders and members of the farming community to address key safety challenges affecting rural communities, particularly road safety, livestock branding and stock theft. The session provided an important platform for engagement between government stakeholders and local farmers, with discussions highlighting the need for stronger cooperation and communication to address challenges affecting rural areas.

Representing the Department of Transport (DOT), Mpho Nkhape presented on road safety, highlighting the risks posed by stray livestock on roads. The presence of animals on public roads remains a serious concern, as it can result in road crashes and place the lives of motorists, passengers and livestock at risk. The session emphasised the importance of responsible livestock management and collaboration between farmers, communities and government departments to reduce these incidents. Another key issue discussed was the importance of correctly branding livestock. Proper animal identification plays a vital role in establishing ownership and can assist authorities and farmers in dealing with cases of missing or stolen livestock. Participants were encouraged to ensure that their livestock is correctly and visibly branded in accordance with the applicable requirements.

The session also addressed the ongoing challenge of stock theft, which continues to affect farmers and rural livelihoods. Stronger cooperation between farmers, law-enforcement agencies and relevant government departments was highlighted as an important part of preventing and responding to stock theft. The discussions further highlighted the need to bring government services and sector departments closer to farmers. Wandile Khale called for improved engagement between farmers and government structures, noting the importance of ensuring that farmers have access to the relevant departments and information needed to address their challenges.

The Rural Safety Capacity-Building Session reaffirmed the importance of  partnership, communication and shared responsibility in creating safer rural communities. Through continued engagement between farmers, government and other stakeholders, rural communities can strengthen preventative measures, improve livestock management and work collectively towards reducing road-related incidents and stock theft.