Community Visit – Youngster`s Report

Janina and I set off from Trennery’s at Qolora Mouth to our first stop at I Dudja in the capable hands of our National Wool Growers Association (NWGA) advisor Mr Nyamela. Having been shown the shearing shed and handling facilities for the community, I was introduced to my “family”, the Mkina’s and supplied with a refreshing cuppa. The rondawel (round house) in which I was to spend the next couple of nights was, as we were warned, Spartan but the welcome was extremely friendly. As the day drew to a close and the animals were returning from grazing we found several animals that were in need of assistance. Four sheep were in obvious distress and were hobbling, so in fading light we identified ticks between the claws of two of the animals and overgrown hooves. A quick removal of the offending beasties and a trim of the hooves saw a marked improvement in two of the animals, but the other two were in need of further attention (antibiotics). Over tea, freshly killed and cooked chicken with maize, conversation was mostly conducted via sign language as we attempted to bridge the Xhosa/European divide, this was made easier with a help from the kids who acted as unofficial translators. Much hilarity was had when we attempted to pronounce basic Xhosa words such as hello, yes, no, cow, sheep, cat, dog and these didn’t even have any clicks!! Having shown myself to be truly unskilled at Xhosa, I was left to get ready for bed. Reading my book by the light from my gas lamp in total quiet was relaxing, something we don’t get so much in our busy lives at home.
At 6.00am I was wide awake and ready to go, a quick wash and breakfast of maize porridge and tea and it almost time to start work. Our first exercise of the day was to speak to some of the teachers and children from the local school, once they realised that we were not there to inspect them everything became much more relaxed and we were shown around. Many, almost all, of the children were responsible for the day to day supervision of the livestock in their homes. When asked if they see ticks nearly all said that they did, but only a few knew that they could transmit disease or cause problems such as those that we had seen the previous night. A quick lesson on the correct way to remove them was hopefully worthwhile. The pictures that I had brought from Scotland, cause much interest; what funny looking animals! Yes they are sheep not goats! Yes we do use dogs to round up our sheep and yes it was -12ºC when I left and it was snowing. All in all I think we had made an impact on the school, but as we left there was a request from the teachers to raise people’s awareness of the problems that they face day to day, few books, no computers, run down facilities and equipment and to provide help where possible.

Working at the shearing shed at I Dudja

Following on from the school visit, we were straight off to the shearing shed where we were to assess animals from a number of community farmers. Two hundred animals were to be weighed, faecal sampled, scored for condition, bottle jaw and the presence of anaemia using the FAMACHA© chart and then treated if required. The process appeared not only to be a training course on the 5 point checklist but also a meeting place for the local farmers. The whole process was completed with a true community spirit, with over 20 individual farmers being involved under the baking hot sun. It was good to see the system in action and hear how its implementation had lead to a marked improvement in productivity and condition of their animals, but I got the impression that the project meant much more than just that. With the samples collated, vacuum packed and ready for sending to the lab, the days work was complete and we were kindly taken by Nyamela on a road trip into the hills to see the Cape vultures nesting site. The signs pointed us onwards and upwards on a single track trail that clung to the side of the hills, which caused our guide “some” concern, but when we got to the top the view was spectacular and well worth the trip – we all agreed!

The following day we were off to Mthatha, before we went to our next home we went to the local school, again we caused “disruption” but felt that the children enjoyed and benefitted from the experience, we were again asked to champion the cause for more resources for the school.
On arrival at the farm we were warmly met by a group of local dignitaries and introduced to our host Mr Fiko. Following refreshments we attended a meeting where we spoke about the work that was being done and the work that needed to be done in the community and for local residents. Again we were welcomed into the family and shown around the farm steadings and village. The village was larger and less rural than that at I Dudja but equally as friendly.
The following morning we were again hard at work collecting samples and recording measurement from trial animals, unlike previously where the animals belonged to various members of the community these were all owned by Mr Fiko, though as previously help was drafted in from around the village. The lambs were gathered and caught by local children and local farmers were again learning and re-affirming information regarding the 5 point system.

A day at Mthatha.

The day was rounded off with a trip to see the Nelson Mandella museums and the village of his youth. Again it was good to also learn about the history and culture of the country.

Having worked in veterinary parasitology in the United Kingdom for over 10 years it was amazing to “experience” the South African perspective. I am extremely grateful to numerous people who ensured that we had a safe and productive trip and who helped supply me with many wonderful memories. I only have one final thing to say to all of the people who made the whole experience one to remember -.

Enkosi kakhulu

Dave 

Community visit -  I Dudja DB (PDF, 1.46 MB)

All Pictures: © David Bartley