MEC announces plans to provide water for livestock By Thozi kaManyisana LIVESTOCK farmers in three villages in the Alfred Nzo District can breathe a sigh of relief after the MEC for the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Nomakhosazana Meth announced that the Department  allocated R1.6million for the provision of water through boreholes. Speaking to the community of Ngonyameni village in Ntabankulu Local Municipality where one of the boreholes will be drilled, MEC said water was an “essential” part for livestock farmers to thrive. “As government we took a decision to provide water to the livestock farmers in the province . We are encouraging farmers to produce and sell in order to fight poverty. We are here to support that call,” Meth said the 6th administration is committed to provide boreholes, revamping and building new stock water dams. She said in the Alfred Nzo District, where  Premier Lubabalo Mabuyane accompanied by his executive are visiting, the Department will spend R1,6 million to supply boreholes to three areas, including Ngonyameni Village. Through the Department’s Rural Appropriate Technology Unit, Spring water was provided at Goxe and Matyeni villages. The water is sourced from springs, channelled through pipes from the mountains, stored in a reservoir and accessed through taps in the villages. Speaking on behalf of the visibly elated farmers, Mandlakayise Jeke, chairperson of the farmers’ union in the area said: “The community is excited about this development as it brings about change because water is scarce in this area.” “We want to thank government for this commitment. As farmers, we will do more to ensure we produce quality livestock,” Jeke said. Meth also advised rural farmers to “be united and have strong unions in order to apply for quality livestock from the department” on its livestock improvement programme.