KwaZulu-Natal Agriculture Department Expands Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccination Drive with New Recruits and Fleet Rollout

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, led by MEC Hon. Mrs Thembeni Kamadlopha-Mthethwa, has strengthened its fight against Foot-and-Mouth Disease through the welcoming of new recruits and the launch of a new vehicle fleet to support vaccination operations across the province. The announcement forms part of a broader strategy to scale up veterinary services and protect the livestock sector from ongoing disease threats. Foot-and-Mouth Disease continues to place significant pressure on farmers, livestock movement, and market stability, making rapid and coordinated intervention essential. The department’s latest actions reflect a shift from reactive disease control to proactive prevention and expansion of field capacity. This initiative is also closely linked to job creation and youth participation in agricultural services.

A key highlight of the programme is the employment of 60 Animal Health Technicians under the Expanded Public Works Programme to strengthen vaccination and veterinary support teams on the ground. These technicians are expected to ease pressure on veterinary-led teams that have been operating under heavy workloads during the vaccination rollout. Often described as the “nurses” of the veterinary system, Animal Health Technicians play a crucial role in administering vaccinations, assisting in laboratory diagnostics, and collecting field data. Their involvement ensures that veterinarians can focus on more complex clinical and supervisory tasks while improving overall efficiency. This expansion increases the number of active vaccination teams from 20 to 35, significantly improving coverage capacity across the province.

The department has also confirmed that these new recruits will be employed on 12-month contracts, with the possibility of renewal for up to three years depending on programme needs and performance. This structure is designed to provide both immediate relief and longer-term stability in field operations. In addition to the 60 technicians, the province previously employed 133 young people under the Unemployed Agricultural Graduate Programme and 109 Assistant Agricultural Practitioners. These combined efforts bring the total number of agricultural-related job opportunities created this year to 302, with further recruitment of data capturers and administrative clerks still to follow. These additional roles will support field operations by ensuring accurate record keeping and improved data management at dip tanks.

MEC Kamadlopha-Mthethwa emphasised that the department’s core responsibility is to protect farmers and safeguard the livestock industry from ongoing disease threats. She highlighted that Foot-and-Mouth Disease is not only a biological risk but also an economic threat that affects trade, productivity, and rural livelihoods. In the past, the approach to outbreaks was largely reactive, focusing on containment after infection had already spread. The current strategy shifts this model toward prevention and eradication, aiming to eliminate the disease rather than simply manage it. This change reflects a stronger commitment to long-term agricultural stability and competitiveness.

At present, the department operates with only 20 vaccination teams, which has proven insufficient to meet the demands of a province-wide rollout. Veterinary teams have also been under significant pressure due to workload and geographic challenges. To address this gap, the MEC approved the deployment of 60 new Animal Health Technicians through EPWP support, allowing the department to scale up to 35 teams immediately. This expansion is expected to improve response times, increase vaccination coverage, and reduce strain on existing personnel. It also ensures that more livestock can be reached within shorter timeframes, reducing the risk of disease spread.

The broader expansion plan includes the recruitment of EPWP data capturers and administrative clerks, which will further increase operational capacity to approximately 45 teams. These personnel will be responsible for recording livestock data at dip tanks, ensuring that accurate information is captured during vaccination drives. This allows Animal Health Technicians to focus fully on clinical and technical duties without being burdened by administrative work. The improved division of labour is expected to enhance efficiency and data accuracy across the entire vaccination programme. Strong data systems also support better decision making and disease tracking in real time.

In addition to human resource expansion, the department has launched 48 new vehicles to improve service delivery across difficult terrain. Many dip tanks and rural farming areas are located in remote or hard-to-reach regions, making transport a significant challenge for veterinary teams. The new fleet, which includes 4×4 vehicles, is specifically designed to navigate these conditions and ensure uninterrupted service delivery. These vehicles will be deployed to support vaccination teams, improve mobility, and strengthen outreach efforts in underserved areas. Improved logistics are expected to directly increase the speed and effectiveness of field operations.

The department also provided an update on the Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccination campaign, confirming that more than 766,000 cattle have been vaccinated across the province to date. The campaign began on 26 February in the uGu District, where 54,000 cattle were vaccinated as part of the first phase. It then moved to Harry Gwala District, where 278,000 cattle were vaccinated, with remaining pockets scheduled for follow-up visits to ensure complete coverage. In uMkhanyakude District, 175,000 cattle have been successfully vaccinated, while work continues in the AbaQulusi area under Zululand District. In that district alone, more than 100,000 cattle have already been covered.

A major milestone in the programme is the successful completion of vaccination for all dairy cattle in the province. This achievement was made possible through collaboration with industry stakeholders, including the Milk Producers Organisation, which acknowledged the effectiveness of the partnership in ensuring full coverage. A total of 355,000 dairy cattle have been vaccinated across all districts. This outcome strengthens both food security and the stability of the dairy supply chain, which is critical to consumer markets and rural economies. It also demonstrates the value of coordinated public-private partnerships in managing animal health challenges.

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s expanded vaccination drive represents a significant investment in both animal health and rural development. By combining new human resources, improved logistics, and stronger data systems, the province is building a more resilient veterinary service structure. The focus on youth employment further strengthens the programme by creating opportunities while addressing critical service gaps. As Foot-and-Mouth Disease continues to pose a threat to livestock industries, this coordinated approach positions the province to respond more effectively and sustainably. The initiative reflects a long-term commitment to protecting farmers, securing livestock production, and strengthening the agricultural economy.