These were a dairy goat facility in Botshabelo, a feedlot in Thaba Nchu and a multi-million Rand sheep shearing facility sited at Bofulo village, which is under the custody of the tribal authority of Barolong Boo Seleka in the Thaba Nchu area.

MEC Oupa Khoabane says it gave him great pleasure to launch these projects. Commenting on the feedlot, he says there was a definite gap in terms of community needs.

“Those areas have a lot of cattle and people often complain that they struggle to get access to feedlots or take their cattle to feedlots. So we launched a feedlot in Thaba Nchu so that farmers there can have access to a feedlot nearer to them.”

He says they also hope the sheep shearing facility will foster growth in the wool industry.

“We hope that with the passage of time people in the neighbouring areas will be able to take their sheep to that community for sheep shearing and selling of the wool.

“You know, nowadays it is Port Elizabeth. But I hope that the Free State will grow and have a market so that we can sell wool from the Free State and not rely on Port Elizabeth. It is something we are looking at in future.”

OFM News