MEC KaMadlopha-Mthethwa Urges Preparedness as Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccination Continues in Harry Gwala District

Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, has called on all districts yet to receive Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccinations to be well prepared and urged farmers to present their cattle at dip tanks as scheduled. The ongoing vaccination campaign in the uMzimkhulu Local Municipality, within the Harry Gwala District, is part of a province-wide effort to prevent the spread of this highly contagious livestock disease. MEC kaMadlopha-Mthethwa emphasized the importance of timely participation by farmers to ensure the health and productivity of their herds. The vaccines being administered are manufactured by Turkiye-based Dollvet and are distributed through a coordinated programme led by the Department’s Veterinary Services. The initiative highlights the government’s commitment to protecting livestock, safeguarding farmer livelihoods, and maintaining food security in KwaZulu-Natal.

Vaccination operations have already concluded in the Greater Kokstad area, as well as the Johannes Phumani Phungula and Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma local municipalities. In the uMzimkhulu area, teams have administered vaccines at 75 dip tanks, bringing the total number of cattle vaccinated in the Harry Gwala District to over 103,300. On 19 March 2026 alone, 9,119 cattle received vaccines in uMzimkhulu, which accounts for the majority of the district’s livestock population. MEC kaMadlopha-Mthethwa personally demonstrated the administration of vaccines at Mhlaba Diptank, emphasizing the importance of hands-on leadership and encouraging farmers to actively participate. The programme will continue until the weekend in uMzimkhulu and selected locations within Greater Kokstad, ensuring maximum coverage and protection for all cattle in the district.

MEC kaMadlopha-Mthethwa stressed the need for other districts to prepare in advance for upcoming vaccinations. She acknowledged the efforts of the Veterinary Services teams and praised farmers for bringing their livestock to dip tanks. “We are encouraged to see many livestock farmers visiting our dip tanks to have their livestock vaccinated. After wrapping up in Harry Gwala District, we will then proceed to other districts. Our goal is to ensure every cattle in the province receives this crucial vaccination. We are leaving no one behind,” she said. The MEC also indicated that forthcoming vaccination dates will be announced soon, urging all farmers to be ready and ensure their livestock are available for treatment. This proactive approach aims to curb the spread of FMD while maintaining herd health and minimizing economic losses for farmers.

Local farmers have welcomed the initiative and expressed appreciation for the MEC’s involvement. Pheza Madziba, a livestock farmer at Mhlaba Diptank, commended the hands-on approach and requested continued support from the department. “We appreciate the MEC’s efforts in ensuring our cattle are vaccinated. She has come down and rolled her sleeves by administering vaccines. We would also like to request the department to continue with vaccinations even during winter seasons, as well as animal supplements to boost the immune system of our livestock,” said Madziba. The participation and feedback of farmers are crucial in ensuring the success of the vaccination campaign and strengthening the province’s livestock management practices.

Dairy farmers in the district, represented by the Milk Producers Organisation (MPO), have also been actively involved in the vaccination efforts. Out of the 90,000 doses allocated to dairy farms, 74,000 vaccines have already been administered. The MPO maintains a cattle census of 180,000 dairy cattle in Harry Gwala District, highlighting the scale and importance of these coordinated vaccination efforts. By combining government-led campaigns with the support of industry stakeholders, the province is ensuring that both commercial and smallholder farmers benefit from comprehensive disease prevention measures. Overall, the ongoing FMD vaccination programme demonstrates a strong commitment to livestock health, farmer livelihoods, and sustainable agricultural production across KwaZulu-Natal.