By Libuseng Nyaka
QWAQWA – The Free State government handed over 210 herd of cattle to traditional leaders in Qwaqwa on Friday 22, 2024 in a bid to strengthen their role in food security and self-reliance.
During a handing over ceremony at the Batlokoa traditional royal house, Agriculture and Rural development MEC Teboho Saki Mokoena, also presented deputy president Paul Mashatile, Free State Premier Mxolisi Dukwana and Director General Kopung Ralikontsane, among others.
“We are here as the Free State government in recognition of the role traditional leaders play in meeting us halfway in our work of providing food security. Our traditional leaders are central to developing our poor people living in the rural areas. Our traditional leaders support our development projects and are also a source of information between government and their subjects.
“They provide land to our people to plant crops and vegetables. It is against this background that we agreed to donate cattle. Each principal traditional leader each will get 15 cows and two bulls. The main purpose is to strengthen the role the traditional leaders play in food security.”
Explaining further how cattle will be distributed, Hod Dr. Takisi Masiteng said: “We are here to deliver on the promise made by the Premier Ntate Dukwana that he will donate cattle to the traditional leaders. The cattle were increased from 10 to 15 cows and two bulls. The allocation of two oxen came after the realization that every member of the community will need one for their animals to reproduce. In this area we have three traditional leaders and principal chiefs; each will get 10 cattle and two bulls. They will come later – we have only brought a few here.”
At the same occasion, Dukwana highlighted some of the work being done to empower traditional leaders while also mentioning some of challenges they face in their effort to support them.
Morena e Moholo wa Bakoena Moremoholo Mopeli far right, in the middle deputy president Paul Mashatile in red blanket and Basotho hat, and Agricultural and rural development MEC Teboho Saki Mokoena at Namahadi Bakoena royal house.
“As you have seen, deputy president when travelling here, our roads are not good and that makes it difficult for the community here to visit their leaders. We also have a challenge because treasury has stipulated a certain amount for car purchase but we are unable to get cars that fit the position of our traditional leaders. We will start building palaces for traditional leaders .We will start with two in this financial year. We work well with our traditional leaders, they support us.”
Mashatile, who was there to pay a courtesy call before embarking on his election campaign, expressed satisfaction with witnessing i good working relationship between traditional leaders and Free State government.
“As you can see, they are now supporting them with the cattle. We know the traditional leaders are looking after our communities, so this is to add to their livestock, to continue to do the good work. But we work with them on other things. We as central government also support them with other projects. We have been well received . This is our second stop in the Free State.”
