The villages are less than 50km from Bhisho. According to the residents, more than 50 cattle have died in 10 villages in the last three months due to starvation and dehydration.
In the Tamarha Administrative Area, dry, brittle grass covers the landscape, which is normally a lush green at this time of the year. In some areas, the taps have run dry.
Zolile Qaza, from the traditional council in Shushu village in the Tamarha Administrative Area, said in just one village alone 27 cattle had died last month. "Water is becoming a scarce commodity and we really don't know where to run to get help," he said.
Qaza said a drought of this severity had last been experienced in 1983. "If there is no relief in the next six months all these cattle will die," he said.
Kalana, Qawukeni, Shushu A, Shushu B, Tamarha location and Mabhongo village were the hardest hit in the area.
Lunga Macala said his family had lost 10 cattle. "Its painful to lose your prized livestock because of this drought," he said.
Sandile Tshantshi, of Mabhongo village said, it was the first time he had experienced a drought of this magnitude. "When something like this happens, you don't know what to do because we were never prepared for it," he said. Tshantshi said many people now had to buy lucerne and milk formula for the remaining calves. "If you don't have that money you will painfully watch your cattle die," he said.
"We need intervention from the government to assist us."
The area falls under the Ngqushwa Local Municipality, which is part of the Amathole District Municipality. Yesterday, Amathole said the Qwaninga River, which served the Mnquma Local Municipality, had run dry and it was organising tankers to cart water to the villagers.
Bulelani Eli, of Shushu A, said his family had lost two cattle. "Having cattle means you have money, and if they are dying, you are literally running out of money and your family will stay hungry," Eli said
OR Tambo District Municipality spokesman Ayongezwa Lungisa said the dams feeding the area were at 31% of capacity. "We are now depending solely on the Mthatha Dam," he said.
Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane said his department was sourcing animal feed and had sent vets to areas affected by drought. "An amount of R14-million is being expended to mitigate the effects of the drought," he said.
"We are going to intervene in Tamarha, Xesi, Sarah Baartman and areas of Addo and surrounds. The Chris Hani and Joe Gqabi areas are still suffering."
Lucerne, hay, and mineral licks, together with water tanks, were being provided.
"We now intend to develop our own Eastern Cape feeder bank by having plantations of feed through our irrigation schemes and working in partnership with farmers," Qoboshiyane said.
Source: Herald
For more than two decades, I-Net Bridge has been one of South Africa’s preferred electronic providers of innovative solutions, data of the highest calibre, reliable platforms and excellent supporting systems. Our products include workstations, web applications and data feeds packaged with in-depth news and powerful analytical tools empowering clients to make meaningful decisions.
We pride ourselves on our wide variety of in-house skills, encompassing multiple platforms and applications. These skills enable us to not only function as a first class facility, but also design, implement and support all our client needs at a level that confirms I-Net Bridge a leader in its field.
Go to: http://www.inet.co.za
