Agri SA made a donation of R300 000 today to Free State Agriculture to assist affected farmers and farm workers in need due to the devastating fire.
More than 100 000 hectares of pastures have been destroyed in a devastating fire in large parts of the Free State and Northern Cape over the past four days. Large numbers of livestock, game and even houses have been destroyed. Boshof, Dealesville, Hertzogville and Hoopstad are some of the areas affected by the devastation. The fire also started to move in a northwesterly direction to Boshof towards the Northern Cape. The fires are currently under control, but members of Free State Agriculture and the FS Umbrella FPA (Fire Protection Association) are monitoring the situation.
According to Free State Agriculture, a fire was caused by protesters who set tyres alight during a protest over service delivery. It was driven further by strong winds that occurred largely over the Free State. Numerous volunteers and farmers joined forces to put out the fires. Some of the helpers were seriously injured.
Free State Agriculture and Agri Northern Cape are conducting a survey at grassroots level to determine the extent of the damage. The most urgent need is to provide assistance to farmers in repairing infrastructure such as fences to secure livestock that had fled during the fires. Stockfeed, as well as the transportation thereof, is critical.
Agri SA appeals to the private sector to make donations directly to Free State Agriculture. Prospective donors can contact Elize Spence of Free State Agriculture at elize@vslandbou.co.za or 051 444 4609. Financial contributions can be made to Free State Agriculture’s disaster fund as follows:
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Free State Agriculture
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ABSA
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Account number: 470940670
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Branch code: 632005
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Reference: RAMP + cell number
ENQUIRIES:
Willem Symington
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Head of Agri SA Disaster Management Unit
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(C) 084 592 7474
Francois Wilken
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President: Free State Agriculture
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(C) 083 390 1831
Andrea Campher
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Agri SA’s Disaster Risk Manager
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(C) 079 8872174
