Limpopo DDM Service Delivery Week Strengthens Agricultural Support in Waterberg District

The Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has intensified efforts to strengthen rural development and agricultural sustainability through the District Development Model Service Delivery Week currently taking place in the Waterberg District. The programme was officially led by MEC Nakedi Kekana and began at the Ga-Molekane Crushpen within the Mogalakwena Local Municipality. The week-long initiative focuses on bringing essential government services closer to rural communities while addressing agricultural and socio-economic challenges facing local residents. One of the major priorities of the programme is improving livestock health through Foot and Mouth Disease vaccination services. The initiative also supports livestock traceability through the placement of ear tags, which helps strengthen disease control and improve agricultural productivity across the province.

Addressing community members during the gathering, MEC Nakedi Kekana highlighted the importance of coordinated government interventions in supporting sustainable agricultural development and improving livelihoods in rural communities. She revealed that Limpopo Province currently has only 70 reported cases of Foot and Mouth Disease, a figure she attributed to the cooperation of livestock farmers with veterinary authorities and proper livestock management practices. The MEC stressed that strong collaboration between government and farming communities remains essential in protecting the agricultural sector from disease outbreaks. She also encouraged farmers to continue following biosecurity protocols to limit the spread of livestock diseases. Her remarks reflected the province’s commitment to maintaining a healthy livestock industry while protecting food security and rural economies.

Community members used the engagement to raise concerns about land use, mining activities, livestock health, and agricultural development in the area. Residents expressed concern about the environmental impact of mining operations and called for more proactive vaccination programmes to prevent future outbreaks of livestock diseases. In response, MEC Kekana stated that all development initiatives must place communities at the centre while also protecting the environment. She emphasised that economic growth should never come at the expense of environmental sustainability or the wellbeing of rural communities. The MEC further highlighted the importance of responsible environmental practices and warned that pollution and poor environmental management contribute significantly to climate change and long term agricultural risks.

The MEC also called for stronger collaboration between government departments, municipalities, and local farmers to improve agricultural growth and service delivery. She stressed the importance of implementing effective biosecurity measures such as footbaths at kraals and maintaining proper hygiene practices to reduce the spread of livestock diseases. Reaffirming the department’s commitment to agricultural transformation, MEC Kekana stated that her department remains focused on supporting emerging farmers and helping them transition from subsistence farming into commercial agriculture. She encouraged farmers to apply for government support programmes that become available annually in October. Her long term vision includes seeing local farmers own abattoirs, improve access to formal markets, and participate more actively in the agricultural value chain.

During the programme, Acting District Director Hlanki Malebana also addressed the gathering and highlighted that land use remains a national challenge requiring better planning and communication. He stressed that municipalities have a responsibility to ensure communities are informed about development processes and spatial planning decisions. Malebana further confirmed that previous vaccination campaigns conducted in the district also included vaccinations against Tuberculosis, Brucellosis, and Anthrax. These interventions form part of broader efforts to strengthen animal health management in Limpopo’s farming communities. The combination of vaccination campaigns, livestock traceability systems, and farmer education demonstrates a more comprehensive approach to protecting the agricultural sector.

MEC Kekana further outlined the objectives of the Limpopo Development Plan, which aligns with national government policies, Integrated Development Plans, and the District Development Model. She explained that these development frameworks are interconnected and aimed at reducing poverty, fighting hunger, and improving the quality of life for residents. According to the MEC, agriculture, mining, and tourism remain major drivers of South Africa’s economic growth. She emphasised that all sectors must operate within constitutional and environmental frameworks to ensure balanced and sustainable development. Highlighting the importance of agriculture, she stated, “Lehumo le tswa temong,” meaning “wealth comes from agriculture,” reinforcing the sector’s importance in creating jobs and supporting rural livelihoods.

The DDM Service Delivery Week will continue across the Waterberg District through additional community-focused projects and service delivery programmes designed to improve living conditions and address local socio-economic challenges. Following the Ga-Molekane engagement, MEC Nakedi Kekana proceeded to Oorlogfontein for a site handover programme that forms part of the broader provincial development agenda. These ongoing initiatives reaffirm the Limpopo Provincial Government’s commitment to bringing services closer to communities while promoting responsive, inclusive, and sustainable development. Through stronger partnerships, improved agricultural support, and community-centred interventions, the province aims to create long term economic opportunities and strengthen resilience within rural communities across Limpopo.